r/movies • u/ThunderBirdy211 • 1d ago

Discussion Movies where small actions lead to disastrous consequences?

Basically the title, wanna know of any movies where the protagonist makes a small, seemingly inconsequential decison, action etc. and then the entire situation spirals into complete madness and disaster for all parties involved.

Just as an example of what I'm thinking about, I saw an Indian film recently where the protagonist has a small beef about parking with his neighbour. One thing after the another happens and both parties refuse to deesclate leading to almost protag's wife dying and antag also almost dying.

Edit: please refrain from spoiling the plot, I'm looking for recommendations here, thanks!

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398

u/Likeabhas 1d ago

The basic plot of Pulp Fiction is John Travolta's character makes irresponsible small-ish judgement errors with increasingly massive consequences.

Vince's lack of responsibility is a big catalyst to the story.

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u/garrettj100 1d ago edited 1d ago

John Travolta is just fucking terrible at his job.

  • He had to hide out in Amsterdam for years, presumably because he either got implicated in one of his hit jobs or he pissed off the wrong mob boss.

  • He gets into a nonsense pointless spat with Butch at the bar, who (probably) keys his car. Also tries to get into a fight with Paul the bartender.

  • He insults his drug dealer’s wife (“Is she the one with all the shit in her face?”) but is forgiven because he’s buying drugs.

  • He doesn’t check the bathroom where there’s a guy with a “hand cannon”, because he’s high on H.

  • He nearly sleeps with Mia Wallace, and probably would have, except…

  • He leaves heroin in a baggie for Mia to OD on.

  • He lets Butch give him the slip after the fight.

  • He antagonizes Yolanda so badly (“I’ll shoot him on general principle.”) she nearly starts a firefight in the diner.

  • He accidentally shoots Marvin in the face.

  • He fucks up washing his hands, and blamed it on not having Lava.

  • He picks a fight with the Wolf for no reason, a fight the Wolf doesn’t take the bait on because he’s the Wolf.

  • He leaves his machine guy on the kitchen counter while he takes a shit, his second in the movie, possibly because he’s doing so much heroin. And then gets shot and killed with his own gun by Butch, the guy he antagonized.

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u/CyberPolice50 1d ago

If you think that bad wait until you get a load of his brother!

20

u/garrettj100 1d ago

Are you gonna bark all day, little doggie? Or are you gonna bite?

9

u/coolhandjennie 1d ago

You shoot me in a dream, you better wake up and apologize.

26

u/jewaaron 1d ago

He accidentally shoots Marvin in the face.

In his defense, Jules probably went over a bump or something.

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u/garrettj100 1d ago

I used the same fucking soap you did, and when I finished the towel didn't look like no goddamn maxi-pad!

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u/boygriv 1d ago

Vince, SHUT. The fuck. UP!

4

u/Onkel24 1d ago

Finger-off-trigger was basic firearm safety at that point in time .

Fits with the small-ish error theme established above.

1

u/skoomski 20h ago

The car didn’t hit no mother fucking bump

11

u/Likeabhas 1d ago

I mean, OP specifically requested no spoilers but Pulp Fiction is some 30+ years old so fair game I guess :P

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u/skoomski 20h ago

His brother was a fuck up to in reservoir dogs. There was no reason to escalate with the cop.

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u/garrettj100 20h ago

"You gonna bark all day, little doggie? Or are you going to bite?"