Maybe it’s watching federal buildings being under siege for two weeks with almost no ramifications, but I’ve been on a vigilante kick lately. I’ve already made a TMT article on the great Death Wish 3 that still boasts the highest body count. But there was a movie that came out between Death Wish 1 and 3 that pushed the boundaries of vigilante justice, and that was The Exterminator.
Now that it’s free on Tubi, people are finally starting to rediscover this gem of toxicity, and I’m here for it. The only way to fight your toxicity is with more toxicity, so let’s delve into a man who had enough and did something about it with The Exterminator!
Plot:
John Eastland is a scarred Vietnam veteran living in a decrepit, drug and crime-ridden 80s New York that we will see again once the city goes Communist with Mamdani. John has a best friend named Michael Jefferson who saved him from being decapitated by the Viet Cong during the war.
Working together at a warehouse, the two war veterans stop a robbery at their job from a gang called the Ghetto Ghouls. John comes off rather timid as Michael has to save him once again, taking the lead in the takedown. But the Ghetto Ghouls don’t take this defeat lying down. One day, they ambush Michael and dole out a severe beating. They don’t stop there, as one of the gang members viciously injures Michael by severing his spine with a metal hand rake.
This incident sets John off. After he captures one of the gang, John interrogates him using a flamethrower to get more information about their activities. John then proceeds to systematically take down the gang, busting their operations with raids and leaving some tied up in the basement to get eaten hungry rats.
John’s success only emboldens him further as the press start to dub him the Exterminator. John begins to take on the mob, breaking up their protection racket and child prostitution ring with extreme violence, using their money to give to Michael’s family to pay for his medical bills.
Why You Should Watch:
The Exterminator will probably end up being a cautionary tale since Communism doesn’t work. The people get behind John’s actions as the police and CIA begin investigating his actions. The walls start to close in, but John is undeterred as he cleans up the city that preys on the most vulnerable.
John as the Exterminator epitomizes the early 80s frustration New Yorkers felt as even daylight wasn’t safe to venture out. It’s a shame they are on the verge of voting that misery back in, but I can’t wait to see the new vigilante movies that will stem from their downward spiral. The violence in The Exterminator is extreme, and it’s amazing that there were actually TV promo spots for this movie. We have sure lost our nerve as a country since then.
You can watch The Exterminator for free on YouTube here, but it looks even better on Tubi here (also free).
And check out my video, where I discuss the Ride or Die chick trope. It has nothing to do with The Exterminator, but he probably could have used one.
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English (US) · 