In recent seasons of The Walking Dead they kinda go the opposite way in regards to one of their greatest villains. Negan is a horrific person in what he’s done to many of the main characters but his one saving grace is his protectiveness toward kids. It plays out several times in the show. And in wrestling parlance he flips from heel to face character in a long arc.

Two Denzel movies played on the theme you’re talking about— Man on Fire and The Equalizer. I think this makes the audience accept the brutal vigilante justice stuff that follows.

I can't say that I agree with you Towkneed. I don't think seeing fictional violence desensitizes us. Granted, I don't think its healthy for a child or young teen to view violence but as an adult I'm quite capable of differentiating between reality and fantasy. I watch violent movies, play video games that involve killing people, read horror novels... but I neither have any desire to commit violence toward anyone nor do I feel as if I'm less compassionate about violence.

There are people with severe mental and emotional problems who could very well be harmed by being exposed to fictional violence, but I'm assuming your comments/views are directed toward more-or-less mentally stable adults.

Maybe as we grow older we do become a bit desensitized in general simply due to the experiences of life. I don't cry when I drop my ice cream cone (unless it was REALLY good ice cream). We probably build up emotional and psychological calluses over the course of our lives but I don't think that's due to exposure to violent movies.

Well, that's my 2 cents worth.