The Story Archive

Scarface

Brian De Palma · 1983 CE · Film · Modern / American · Contemporary

A Cuban refugee lands in Miami on the Mariel boatlift, takes a contract killing in exchange for a green card, and climbs from dishwasher to cocaine wholesaler inside a few violent years. Oliver Stone's script drives him at his boss's mistress and his own sister with the same appetite. Reviled on release for its excess and its language, it became the most quoted gangster picture of the decade.

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Lineage

Attributes

Genre
Crime / NoirTragedy
Theme
The American DreamAmbition & HubrisWealth & GreedPower & Corruption
Archetype (Jung / Campbell)
Anti-HeroRebel / OutlawVillain / Tyrant
Plot structure
Rise and FallRags to Riches
Symbol / motif
Gold / TreasureThe CityBlood
Conflict
vs Personvs Societyvs Self
Mode / tone
TragicIronic
Culture / tradition
Modern / American

Closest analogues