Kick-Ass (2010)

Last updated:
September 8, 2025

Kick-Ass (2010), directed by Matthew Vaughn, is a darkly comedic, hyper-violent take on the superhero genre. Based on Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.’s comic, it asks a bold question: what would happen if an ordinary person actually tried to become a superhero? The result is equal parts satire, action, and pure chaos.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Dave Lizewski Becomes Kick-Ass

Dave Lizewski (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is a regular, slightly geeky high school student who wonders why no one has ever tried to become a superhero in real life. With no powers, no training, and a cheap green wetsuit, he decides to become one. His first attempts are clumsy, resulting in him getting stabbed and hit by a car. Ironically, the nerve damage and metal plates from his recovery give him a slightly higher pain tolerance and durability. He adopts the name “Kick-Ass” and uploads his vigilante attempts online, becoming an internet sensation.

Enter Hit-Girl and Big Daddy

While Dave plays at being a hero, a much darker and deadlier pair enters the picture: Hit-Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz) and Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage). Hit-Girl, only 11 years old, is a highly trained assassin with shocking skills and a disturbingly casual attitude toward killing. Big Daddy, her father, is revealed to be Damon Macready, a former cop wrongfully imprisoned by mob boss Frank D’Amico (Mark Strong). Together, they wage a bloody war on D’Amico’s empire.

Red Mist Appears

Frank’s spoiled son, Chris D’Amico (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), decides to create his own superhero persona: Red Mist. At first, he seems like Kick-Ass’s potential ally, but his true goal is to lure Kick-Ass into a trap so his father can capture him.

Collision of Heroes and Villains

Kick-Ass reluctantly joins forces with Hit-Girl and Big Daddy. However, during a mission, Big Daddy and Kick-Ass are captured by D’Amico. In one of the film’s most brutal sequences, they are beaten and tortured live on a broadcast stream. Hit-Girl arrives in time, annihilating the mobsters with shocking efficiency, but Big Daddy is fatally wounded in the fire. His final words encourage Hit-Girl to carry on their mission.

Movie Ending

The climax unfolds in Frank D’Amico’s skyscraper. Hit-Girl, armed with a massive arsenal, takes on dozens of gangsters in a bloody showdown, while Kick-Ass is far less effective but determined to help. In the finale, Kick-Ass uses a jet pack armed with machine guns (a gift from Big Daddy) to mow down thugs.

The final duel sees Hit-Girl battling D’Amico’s men while Kick-Ass faces Red Mist. Ultimately, Frank D’Amico himself confronts Kick-Ass, but before he can kill him, Kick-Ass fires a rocket from the jet pack straight at him, launching him out of the window and killing him in spectacular fashion.

The film closes with Dave narrating that he’s back to being a normal teenager, while Hit-Girl attempts to start a regular school life under her new guardian. Meanwhile, Chris D’Amico, scarred and furious over his father’s death, vows revenge—setting himself up as a new supervillain.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Kick-Ass does not feature a post-credits scene. The setup for a sequel is handled directly in the final moments, with Chris D’Amico foreshadowing his transformation into the main villain of Kick-Ass 2.

Type of Movie

The film is a dark comedy, action, and satirical superhero movie. It blends comic-book stylization with ultraviolent realism, poking fun at the absurdity of superheroes while also indulging in over-the-top action.

Cast

Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Dave Lizewski / Kick-Ass
Chloë Grace Moretz as Mindy Macready / Hit-Girl
Nicolas Cage as Damon Macready / Big Daddy
Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Chris D’Amico / Red Mist
Mark Strong as Frank D’Amico
Lyndsy Fonseca as Katie Deauxma
Clark Duke as Marty
Evan Peters as Todd

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by John Murphy, along with contributions from Henry Jackman and Marius de Vries. Notably, Murphy’s iconic track In the House, In a Heartbeat (from 28 Days Later) is reused during Big Daddy’s massacre scene. The soundtrack also mixes punk rock, hip-hop, and classic rock, reflecting the rebellious tone of the movie.

Filming Locations

Kick-Ass was primarily filmed in Toronto, Canada, standing in for New York City. Certain scenes were shot in London as well. The urban setting was crucial, as the gritty streets and back alleys emphasized the film’s attempt at grounding superheroes in a “real world” environment.

Awards and Nominations

The film received mostly genre-specific recognition:

Empire Award for Best British Film (2011)
Nominated for multiple Scream Awards (including Best Comic Book Movie and Best Breakout Performance for Chloë Grace Moretz)
Chloë Grace Moretz also received widespread critical acclaim, though her role stirred controversy due to her age and the film’s violence.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Nicolas Cage modeled Big Daddy’s speech pattern after Adam West’s 1960s Batman.
Chloë Grace Moretz trained for months with weapons and martial arts to perform many of her own stunts.
Director Matthew Vaughn had difficulty getting studio funding because of the film’s violent content, so he raised money independently.
The success of Kick-Ass paved the way for more “R-rated” superhero films like Deadpool.

Inspirations and References

The movie is based directly on the Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. comic book series of the same name. Vaughn stayed faithful to the general tone but made significant changes (especially to the ending and character arcs) to make the film more cinematic.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

In the comic, Big Daddy is not actually a cop seeking revenge but just a regular accountant who lied to his daughter. This twist was removed from the movie, as Vaughn thought it undercut the emotional weight of Big Daddy’s story. Deleted scenes mainly involved extended dialogue sequences, which slowed the pacing.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Key differences from the comic:

The comic’s ending is far darker: Dave doesn’t end up with Katie, and Hit-Girl’s story is bleaker.
Red Mist is more openly villainous in the comics from the start.
Big Daddy’s true background as a delusional man (not a vengeful ex-cop) was cut for the film adaptation.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Kick-Ass’s disastrous first fight, where he ends up in the hospital.
Hit-Girl’s shocking introduction as she slaughters gangsters with ease.
Big Daddy’s warehouse massacre, shot like a video game with stylized violence.
The final rocket-launcher showdown with Frank D’Amico.

Iconic Quotes

Kick-Ass: “With no power comes no responsibility. Except, that’s not true.”
Hit-Girl: “Okay you c***s, let’s see what you can do now!”
Big Daddy: “Tool up, honey bunny. It’s time to get bad guys.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Big Daddy’s costume is a deliberate parody of Batman.
Kick-Ass’s wetsuit design was taken directly from the comic book.
The jet pack finale was Matthew Vaughn’s tribute to over-the-top comic book endings.

Trivia

Chloë Grace Moretz was only 11 during filming but swore constantly on screen; her mother was on set to approve every line.
The film’s budget was around $30 million—low for a superhero movie—yet it grossed nearly $100 million worldwide.
Quentin Tarantino reportedly called Kick-Ass one of his favorite films of the year.

Why Watch?

Kick-Ass is for viewers who love superhero movies but want something rawer, bloodier, and more self-aware. It dismantles superhero clichés while still delivering exhilarating action and surprisingly heartfelt moments.

Kick-Ass (2010)