The Punisher

LINKS
—Overview
—Trailers, Photos
—About this Film
—Spiritual Connections

The Punisher will probably be a “love it� or “hate it� movie for most people. The critical comic book readers and those looking for an intense film on creative killing will likely hate it. But for those who enjoy a good testosterone “shoot-‘em-up� film with a delightful contrast of comic relief, The Punisher will deliver. It took three days for me to figure out whether or not I liked this movie, a difficulty that usually indicates that it challenged me in some way. Expecting a typical adrenaline-infused bloodbath film, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of truly comic moments and the unencumbered message on the harshness of punishment.

Castle as the Angel of Death - In true comic book fashion, the hero, Frank Castle, is an all or nothing kind of guy. His world is black and white, lonely, and beyond the human experience, for better or worse. As a spiritual application, I could find nothing more appropriate for comparison than the Angel of Death. Remorselessly, Castle executes judgment on those who have committed unnecessary evils, punishing them for their sins and for their unwillingness to change. This parallels the task of the Death Angel in the days of Moses and Pharoah, when the Angel executed God’s judgment on Egypt by killing the firstborn male in every Egyptian household (Exodus 11). Cold, hard, lacking feeling and mercy, the Angel of Death mowed down lives across the land with no more thought than we would have while mowing down the grass on a Sunday afternoon. It was just the job that had to be done. That’s the feeling we get from Castle. It’s his duty, his job, his mission, after the wrongful slaughter of his family.

Where is the Mercy? The unique thing about this film is that we almost detest the "hero" by the end of the story. The protagonist seems far worse than the antagonist, as Castle brazenly goes beyond “an eye for an eye.� He uses not only his own strength but also Saint’s own vices to ensnare and punish Saint, a nice Biblical touch (Psalm 9:16). However, Castle’s inability to show any level of mercy shakes the foundations of Hollywood filmmaking. Despite his neighbors’ attempts to coax him back to some sense of feeling, Castle remains emotionally dead and beyond reach. There is no lesson, no mercy, no change . . . but perhaps that is the point. There comes a time when punishment must be exacted on the evildoer. Judgment day is real.

The Duality of God – The Bible states in many passages that God is both just (Psalm 11:4-7) and merciful (Micah 7:18). A friend and I briefly discussed this concept after the movie, agreeing that this duality challenges our logic. How can a merciful God send the Angel of Death to unrepentant Egypt, persecute countless idolatrous nations, and throw unrepentant sinners into the Lake of Fire on judgment day? Only through his holy nature, which demands justice. How can a just God stoop down to Earth and Himself die a brutal death to give mankind the opportunity to be reconciled and live in peace with him forever? Only through his loving nature, which demands mercy. Both are incredible concepts, but the existence of both characteristics in one being is far more incredible.

Made in His Image - I discovered three days later why I had walked out of the theater liking this movie. It helped me see things from God’s point of view. He has given each of us the capacity to understand Him, because we are made in his image. The immediate desire for Castle to punish the bad guy proves that we have an innate sense of God’s justice: protection for the innocent and a lesson for the sinner. The frustration of watching Castle finish the job in the last five minutes proves that we have an innate sense of God’s mercy: not wanting the guilty to suffer more than is necessary to change his mind. It’s strange to have a sense of God’s character. It’s even stranger to imagine the intensity with which God must feel these two things equally and powerfully. If we feel it in part, He feels it in all of its fullness.

As I said, this movie isn’t for everyone. If you have a weak stomach, be sure to skip this one. But, if you can see beyond the violence to appreciate the message, it may be worth your $8.00. Be sure to listen for the three points in Castle’s letter: they are of paramount importance to the theme.

LINKS
—Overview
—Trailers, Photos
—About this Film
—Spiritual Connections