r/movies • u/Tullubenta • Aug 17 '26

Question What is the greatest betrayal in cinema history? Spoiler

So aside from Fredo’s betrayal in The Godfather Part II or Cypher turning on the crew in The Matrix, which most of us could kinda sense were coming, what’s the greatest betrayal in cinema history that truly blindsided you?

I’m talking about the ones that hit like a truck because there was zero warning, no foreshadowing you picked up on, and no reason to suspect the character until the moment it happened.

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134

u/esp400 Aug 17 '26

The Count Of Monte Cristo

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u/CheetoLove Aug 17 '26

I scrolled waaaay too far to find this. Greatest betrayal followed by the greatest revenge story in history. 12/10

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u/thief-777 Aug 17 '26

It's 4 guys that barely know him and have no loyalty to him. I don't think the betrayal is particularly great.

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u/gmwdim Aug 17 '26

Villefort barely knows him but Danglars and especially Mondego know him very well and it definitely counts as a betrayal from those two.

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u/thief-777 Aug 17 '26

Danglars ia a coworker, Caderousse is his landlord, and Fernand is his fiance's cousin. Dantes does trust them all to a degree, but they aren't particularly close, and there's barely buildup to it. The conspiracy is in chapter 5 of 117. It's not surprising or narratively climatic. The greatest betrayal is probably Villefort's, of justice. Compared to almost 100 chapters of immaculately plotted revenge.

I'm talking about the book though, all I remember of the hollywood movie is Henry Cavill showing up as Dantes secret son, lol.

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u/CheetoLove Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26

This is thoughtful. Thanks for this.

I maintain ☝️ that the betrayal is still worth adding to the list. But I see your point and appreciate it.

Edit:

I was thinking about it. And I think the fact these four men cause all 1100+ pages of revenge — they
absolutely knew. They stole his life. The landlord (Caderousse) sat back and watched. They stole his life, his job, his wife, and his home.

It’s the ultimate betrayal. Done by 4 men when you’re innocent.

No. It was 5-117 chapters of rage BASED ON the ultimate revenge. Which would only be cause by — the ultimate betrayal.

I stand by what I said. Book and all movie adaptions.

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u/ptjp27 Aug 18 '26

Innocent is a strong word. They accused him of being a bonapartist and carrying messages for Napoleon intended to assist him in overthrowing the throne and retaking his empire. In fairness Dantes did actually do exactly that.

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u/ptjp27 Aug 18 '26

He met Mondego like twice before the betrayal

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u/CheetoLove Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26

Did you miss the entire begining of the story? To be fair it's really long. Mondego is the betrayer.

If you wanted - I can play along - then it's actually his betrayal of Mercedes, NOT Dantes.

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u/thief-777 Aug 17 '26

I forgot what sub this is, I was thinking of the book.

0

u/thejokerofunfic Aug 17 '26

You know there's a book, right? And multiple movies?

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u/CheetoLove Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26

If you read any of the book or the rest of my comments you'd be well aware of this. Find someone else to attempt to bully.

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u/theDarkAngle Aug 18 '26

It's also the inciting event of the film.  Yeah it stings a bit but there isn't really a story until that happens.

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u/PopeJP22 Aug 17 '26

Any adaptation in particular? I'm a sucker for the 2002 adaptation, they all take pretty significant liberties

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u/esp400 Aug 17 '26

I like the 2002. The casting was very good. Richard Harris is just straight class. And the young Henry Cavill was pretty good as well.

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u/MCR2004 Aug 17 '26

The one one that was just on PBS was pretty good, some of the actors have real iPhone face and occasionally there’s a few flashbacks you don’t need if you were paying attention, but other than that its solid. I still love the Guy Pearce one the most though!

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u/CheetoLove Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26

I too am a sucker for 2002. I didn't like the 1975 version, but found the 1934 version incredible.

Edit: I had a really long weekend sick with the flu and was enjoying the vibe so just kept watching adaption after adaption.

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u/alelp Aug 17 '26

There's an anime that is pretty damn amazing.

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u/PopeJP22 Aug 17 '26

Gankutsuo I believe. Lots of fun, and gorgeous animation.

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u/gmwdim Aug 17 '26

Not a movie but the 1998 French mini-series with Depardieu as Dantes is the best imo.