Rockules’ Revenge: The Portrayal of the Veteran Warrior in Brett Ratner’s Hercules

Rees, Owen (2023) Rockules’ Revenge: The Portrayal of the Veteran Warrior in Brett Ratner’s Hercules. In: Brill's Companion to Ancient Greek and Roman Warfare on Film. BRILL, pp. 508-528. ISBN 9789004686823

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Abstract

This chapter examines the portrayal of the titular character of Hercules (2014, dir. Brett Ratner), played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, as both a continuation of a longstanding tradition of veterans as protagonists and as a modern use of the ancient world to offer social commentary. It focuses on core aspects of Hercules’ depiction, beginning with the demythologizing process and his military service as a mercenary. This section sets down the framework by which the film can be assessed as a popular representation of the veteran in film. The character of Hercules himself is then examined, with an emphasis on his moral ambiguity, lack of self-confidence, and anti-hero to hero transition. The chapter then examines his psychological turmoil and demonstrates how this portrayal, alongside that of Tydeus, mirrors popular perceptions of PTSD. In turn, it is argued that such a representation feeds on popular perceptions of veterans, notably that all veterans carry with them some deep psychological trauma. Following this, the chapter focuses on the thematic continuities between ancient Greek veteran plays (such as the Ajax, Herakles, and the Philoctetes) and Ratner’s Hercules. In particular, the themes explored in the chapter include the betrayal of the veteran and his manipulation by those of higher authority. Finally, the chapter argues that Ratner’s film continues a tradition as old as Euripides by reframing the myth of Hercules to make incisive social commentary.

Item Type:	Book Section
Divisions:	School of Arts, Humanities and Human Sciences > Interdisciplinary Studies
Depositing User:	Ms Hazel Barham
Date Deposited:	04 Jun 2026 12:57
Last Modified:	04 Jun 2026 12:57
URI:	https://newman.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/17406

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