Nothing on earth consumes a man more quickly than the passion of resentment.
– Friedrich Nietzsche
“I’d forgive you if you were crazy, but you’re not. You’re weak.“
Jeremy Saulnier’s film Blue Ruin offers a gritty, unflinching look at the consequences of seeking revenge. It is an anti-revenge, revenge tale that delves into the mind of its character, Dwight Evans, as he grapples with the complexity of resentment. Between two families the film explores themes including the cycle of violence and the futility of seeking retribution.
Nietzsche’s philosophy serves as a thought-provoking framework for analyzing Blue Ruin. His idea of nihilism, which suggests that life lacks meaning highlights Dwight’s journey guided by his own set of values shaped by loss and sorrow.
“You know what’s awful? Just ’cause my dad loved your mom… we all end up dead.”
The concept of the ‘will to power’ from Nietzsche’s philosophy is evident in Dwight’s character arc. Initially adrift and purposeless, Dwight finds motivation when he learns about his parents killer being released from prison. His actions, driven by a quest for justice and a sense of obligation also reveal an instinct to take charge of his situation.
The recurring pattern of violence depicted in Blue Ruin mirrors metaphorically to Nietzsche’s concept of recurrence as some kind of ill-fated loop which Dwight can not escape. A thought experiment from Nietzsche suggesting that if history and every action were to endlessly replay themselves how would that knowledge change the coarse of your actions. In this way Dwight’s pursuit of revenge triggers a series of events that ensnare him in a cycle of payback and bloodshed. Each violent act spawns another underscoring the fruitlessness and inevitability of seeking further vengeance. Unfortunately for Dwight he never fully reflects on the premise Nietzsche purposes. However, this concept of escaping one’s fate is found by the end.
“Hey, man, I know this is personal. That’s how you’ll fail.”
In Beyond Good and Evil Nietzsche challenges standards by proposing a reevaluation of values that goes beyond traditional notions of right and wrong. This philosophical perspective is starkly evident in Blue Ruin also seen in Dwight’s mission for retribution. Dwight is indeed operating outside established norms. Nietzsche’s cautionary words, “he who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster” (Beyond Good and Evil aphorism 146) deeply resonates with Dwight’s evolution. As he pursues his vendetta Dwight finds himself ensnared in the savagery he aims to rectify. This embodies Nietzsche’s warning about the dangers of adopting a mindset rooted in retaliation. As Dwight loses his bearings, he embodies the conflict described by Nietzsche – where the pursuit of personal justice leads to a dissolution of ethical boundaries blurring distinctions, between avenger and antagonist.
“That’s how this works, man. The one with the gun gets to tell the truth.”
Hannah Arendt is well known for introducing the idea of the banality of evil which suggests that ordinary people can commit acts by following orders or societal norms. In the movie Blue Ruin the characters get caught up in a cycle of violence that’s disturbingly normal, almost expected. Dwight, who starts off as a person ends up doing things not because hes malicious but because he feels a misguided sense of duty and revenge.
Looking at Dwight’s journey, through the lens provided by Arendt in On Violence we can see how she differentiates between power and violence. She argues that power comes from action and consent while violence emerges when power is threatened. Dwights resort to violence reflects his building resentment and feeling of powerlessness. He desires to regain control in a world that has left him feeling helpless due to loss and sorrow.
Moreover, Arendt’s thoughts on the experience highlight the aspect of Dwight’s quest. By seeking revenge Dwight is struggling with questions about his identity and purpose in the world. His actions are his way of trying to make sense of his suffering and find some semblance of justice in a universe that seems indifferent.
However, according to Arendts perspective this pursuit eventually dehumanizes him turning him into a tool of violence.
Nietzsche’s ideas about nihilism and the will to power highlight the motivations behind Dwight’s actions while Arendt’s observations on the banality of evil and violence shed light on the broader human impact of his journey.
“The keys are in the car…”
Ultimately Blue Ruin serves as a reminder of the fruitlessness of seeking revenge. It portrays the victories and ongoing suffering that come with vengeance prompting us to consider the consequences of our choices. Through Dwights heart wrenching path we are faced with the truth that violence only leads to destruction, not resolution. The challenge to Dwights philosophy comes too late for him. The young William Cleland, in a difficult decision, turns his back on his family, breaking the cycle of violence and walks away from his resentment, duty to family, and societal pressure for retribution. He discards his gun and in doing so saves himself, alone, quietly disappearing into the darkness of the woods. Everyone else loses their lives. And just as the title suggests, one mans vehicle toward ruin becomes another mans vehicle towards rehabilitation.
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Conclusion
Blue Ruin shows how Saulnier’s film goes beyond its genre boundaries and offers reflections on humanity and resentment. By delving into Nietzsche and Arendt’s perspectives we gain an understanding of the film’s complexity and its stark relevance to the pervasive cycles of violence in our society. Moreover, it is a fascinating commentary on how family ties can become toxic and how estrangement may be the only path towards peace.
