Star Wars has a core quote:
Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.
I feel it shares the same spirit as V for Vendetta. But I don’t remember it very clearly, so I went to ask ChatGPT:
🩸 V for Vendetta Story Recap (Non-spoiler, but complete)
1️⃣ How did the world become like this?
The story takes place in near-future Britain.After a devastating pandemic, Britain sees the rise of a “regime that will save the nation” — the Norsefire Party.
They promise:
- Safety
- Order
- Stability
But the cost is:
- Media control
- Dissidents disappearing
- Minority groups being purged
- People living in fear
This regime does not rely on violence to maintain power, but on a narrative of fear and hatred:
"It’s dangerous out there. Only we can protect you."
2️⃣ Who is V? Is he really a hero?
V is a mysterious man wearing a Guy Fawkes mask.
He has three clear traits:
- Extremely eloquent, dramatic, almost flamboyant
- Executes carefully planned symbolic actions (not random terror attacks)
- “Takes down” government leaders one by one
But the key is:
👉 He never asks people to worship him.
He repeatedly emphasizes: "I am not your leader."
"I am just reminding you that you’ve always had the power."
3️⃣ Evey’s role: she’s actually the real protagonist
Evey starts off as:
- Fearful
- Compliant
- Just wanting to survive
She is not a revolutionary; she represents the majority of ordinary people.
Through her encounters with V, she is forced to face a harsh question: "If I obey only out of fear, am I complicit?"
Her transformation is not about becoming radical, but about:
- No longer letting fear dictate her choices
- Willing to accept the consequences of her own beliefs
This is the most important line of the film.
4️⃣ The villain is not just one person
The apparent villain is the dictator Adam Sutler.
But the film constantly hints that:
- Sutler needs fear to exist
- The bureaucracy functions through mutual hatred
- The media is responsible for “turning emotions up to maximum”
The real enemy is:
A system that operates by manipulating emotions.
5️⃣ V’s revenge is not the endpoint
V’s actions are superficially about revenge, but his goal is not:
- Seizing power
- Ruling
- Replacing the government
His ultimate act is destroying symbols (the Parliament building), not establishing a new order.
The key at the end is not that V succeeds, but that — the people choose to take to the streets, and they do so “without being incited.”
No one shouts slogans of hate. No one is ordered. Everyone simply chooses not to be afraid anymore.
🧠 What is this film really trying to say?
It is not saying:
- “Revolution is romantic.”
- “Violence solves problems.”
Instead, it constantly reminds us:
⚠️ Anger can tear things down, but it won’t tell you what to build
⚠️ Fear makes you give up freedom while thinking it’s voluntary
⚠️ When you push all responsibility onto “bad people,” you become passive
The most important line in the movie is:
"People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people."
But the “afraid” here is not about violent threats, It’s about: people no longer being manipulated, no longer obedient, no longer numb.
If you want, I can also help you:
- 🔍 Analyze whether V is a terrorist
- 🧠 Compare with how modern social media operates on anger
- 🎭 Compare film vs. original comic: which is more radical, which is more conservative
Which one do you want to explore next?
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Spoiler Warning \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
From here on, this is my own thoughts. I’m no longer keen to chat with AI, because:
I don’t need to long for or doubt whether AI will like me.
I think the most profound scene in the movie is:
Only long after the protagonist is imprisoned by V, later she ridiculously realizes: Physically, the thing that used to imprison her is just a plastic dummy. What truly imprisons her is the fear deliberately constructed inside her own mind.
In the prison, she looks at roll after roll of notes stuffed into the walls, and awakens from her pain. She transforms into a figure fearless for freedom, reminding me of the people on the streets in Iran not long ago.
I’ve been thinking about how to even speak about this. Because it’s so tragic. But when Ms. Li startled me like this, inspiration suddenly struck.
Are my feelings toward her anger? Fear? Why can’t I be as calm, detached, and indifferent as others, just observing what she wants to do? Could it be because I hope she still cares a little about me, that she is specifically choosing me? Wow, have I been so deprived of love that it comes to this? I really need to reflect deeply.
If you ask me whether I hope the people of Iran continue to resist. Or if I were one of the Iranian people, would I continue to resist? I would nod through tears. Because… I need a reason to live.
I don’t want to be controlled by fear deliberately imposed by others, telling me what to do, then controlling what to say. I will no longer pray to officials to protect me, or pray for anyone to stand on my side. I want to do what I want, and live freely.
I will no longer help Ms. Li stir up hatred here on Vocus, wasting everyone’s precious time and creative energy. Thank you all for your concern. But in this situation, the bravest act is simply: Completely — ignoring her.
Walking out of this “artificial” prison openly and boldly. Even if she does or doesn’t do anything that causes annoyance, I will no longer try to change anyone’s thoughts because of her.
