For many years, the conventional approach to big-budget comic book adaptations was to avoid anything that might risk earning the film an R-rating, which could limit the box office potential. However, thanks to the recent success of R-rated comic book movies such as Logan, Deadpool, and Zack Snyder's Justice League, studios are beginning to rethink their approach.
Even before this recent uptick in R-rated superhero comic book adaptations, there have long been other R-rated films adapted from graphic novels and comics. Some of these, such as V for Vendetta and 300, were well-known hits, but others have flown under the radar for comic book fans and are worth watching.
Polar
Based on a webcomic, this Netflix original stars Mads Mikkelsen and Vanessa Hudgens. Polar tells the story of an aging assassin who is about to be forced into retirement but is set to receive an $8 million pension. In order to avoid this payout, his employer attempts to have him killed before he can collect the money.
While the film occasionally falls into familiar tropes, the solid world-building, over-the-top action, and lead performance from Mads Mikkelsen make this movie worth watching.
30 Days Of Night
Based on an IDW Publishing comic book miniseries, 30 Days of Night is a horror movie that stars Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston, and Ben Foster. The story centers around an Alaskan town that experiences an entire month of darkness. During this month, the small town is attacked by a group of vampires who are able to roam around freely thanks to the perpetual night.
While the execution occasionally leaves some to be desired, the premise is a brilliant setup for a horror movie and is able to deliver a number of effective scares.
From Hell
From Hell follows an unorthodox inspector as he tries to catch Jack the Ripper, and stumbles onto a conspiracy larger than he could have ever imagined in the process. The story is full of twists, turns, and reveals, making this an intriguing film to watch.
Based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore, who is best known for dark comics such as Watchmen and V for Vendetta, From Hell never quite lives up to the source material but delivers an interesting take on the legend of Jack the Ripper with stunning visuals and great performances from Johnny Depp and Heather Graham.
2 Guns
Based on the Boom! Studios comic of the same name, 2 Guns is a buddy cop action movie starring Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, and Paula Patton. The movie follows an undercover DEA agent who teams up with a criminal to pull off a heist that would help take down a drug lord, only to discover a larger government conspiracy along the way.
While the movie relies on a lot of familiar buddy cop tropes, it is an entertaining film that is bolstered by the chemistry between Washington and Wahlberg.
Dredd
Dredd is a 2012 adaptation of the British comic strip Judge Dredd. The comic was previously adapted as the flashy but hollow 1995 film Judge Dredd, which starred Sylvester Stallone in the titular role. Dredd is set in a futuristic society where law enforcement has been given the authority to act as judge, jury, and executioner, exploring all the fallout of this decision.
With Karl Urban in the lead role and Game of Thrones star Lena Headey as the antagonist, Dredd was praised for capturing the violent and satirical spirit of its source material. Since its release, Dredd has become a cult classic, beloved by fans.
My Friend Dahmer
My Friend Dahmer is an unconventional comic adaption as it is based on a true story. Cartoonist John Backderf wrote the graphic novel My Friend Dahmer as a memoir of his teenage years, chronicling his real-life friendship with future serial killer Jeffery Dahmer.
My Friend Dahmer features a pair of strong performances by Alex Wolff and Ross Lynch as Backderf and Dahmer respectively. While there are many films about serial killers, this story has a uniquely personal angle that sets it apart from other similar movies.
The Death Of Stalin
The Death of Stalin is based on a French graphic novel called La Mort de Staline. The film depicts the power struggle that ensued in the Soviet Union following the death of Joseph Stalin. This comedy highlights the backstabbing and political maneuvering that occurred as Stalin's remaining subordinates jockeyed to take control.
While not the most historically accurate movie ever made, The Death of Stalin is highly entertaining and uses history to make relevant commentary on today's political climate. The film received great reviews and features a strong cast that includes Steve Buscemi, Andrea Riseborough, and Jason Isaacs.
A History Of Violence
While director David Cronenberg is best known for his work on body-horror movies, he adapted the graphic novel A History of Violence into a critically-acclaimed action-thriller. Viggo Mortensen plays a small-town diner owner who gains fame after killing two burglars during an attempted break-in. However, this newfound notoriety forces him to face a violent past that he has been trying to escape.
Mortensen delivered an excellent lead performance and William Hurt was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role. Also nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, A History of Violence was heralded as a great exploration of violence and the role it plays in society.
Road To Perdition
Featuring an all-star cast that includes Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Stanley Tucci, Daniel Craig, and Superman & Lois star Tyler Hoechlin, Road to Perdition is a dramatic crime film based on the graphic novel of the same name. The film is set during the Great Depression and follows a mobster and his son as they set out for revenge on the people responsible for killing their family.
A meditation on violence, revenge, and family, Road to Perdition received rave reviews and was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning the Oscar for Best Cinematography.
Daredevil (Director's Cut)
The PG-13-rated theatrical version of Daredevil, starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, left many comic book fans disappointed. Audiences found the film to be overly angsty and underwhelming. However, after the theatrical run, Fox released an R-rated director's cut of the film that included more violence, added more subplots that fleshed out the story, deepened the character development, and removed some of the more overt romantic elements that took away the subtlety of the relationship between Daredevil and Elektra.
The result of these changes is a greatly improved film that flows more seamlessly and tells a more cohesive and engaging story. The director's cut does not fix all of the problems from the theatrical one, but viewers who only saw the theatrical version should definitely give the director's cut a chance.