Comic Books
Batman: Don't you understand? I don't want to hurt you. I don't want either of us to end up killing the other. But we're both running out of alternatives... and we both know it. Maybe it all hinges on tonight. Maybe this is our last chance to sort this bloody mess out. If you don't take it, then we're both locked onto a suicide course. Both of us. To the death. It doesn't have to end like that. I don't know what it was that bent your life out of shape, but who knows? Maybe I've been there too. Maybe I can help. We could work together. I could rehabilitate you. You needn't be out there on the edge anymore. You needn't be alone. We don't have to kill each other. What do you say?
The Joker: [hesitates for a moment before answering] No. I'm sorry, but... no. It's too late for that. Far too late. Hahaha. You know, it's funny. This situation. It reminds me of a joke...
The Joker: [hesitates for a moment before answering] No. I'm sorry, but... no. It's too late for that. Far too late. Hahaha. You know, it's funny. This situation. It reminds me of a joke...
Fan Works
"You really do care too much, Avatar," the unicorn said, shaking her head. "Why would I ever care about redemption or anything like that? Please." Her horn glowed again and the spear of ice turned dark purple. "After all, I am the Great and Powerful Trixie. You really should have seen this coming."
"He's... really just leaving me here... He gave me his energy and... left me... Maybe this is a sign.... Maybe I should change... Maybe this is my second... and last... chance... Maybe... I was wrong.
Naaah!"
Naaah!"
— Freeza, Dragon Ball Z Abridged episode 30
Gohan hovered down close to face and looked him in the eye. "Look. I'm going to give it to you straight. I don't like to kill. Killing people sucks. And I already feel really guilty about having to finish off that Bujin guy. So, if you'll be good and just float here...I'll go to my friend and godmother, Bulma, and get you a ship to flee the Earth in. Okay?"
The hulking Heran hatefully sneered. Gohan sighed. "Come on. It's Christmas Eve. Be reasonable and just leave. Okay?"
At that moment, a ship full of escaping tourists began to sail by. Bojack flinched as his gaze locked onto it. Gohan closed his eyes and mumbled. "Don't..."
Bojack raised his hand. Gohan shook his head. "Don't."
A blast began to charge just below the water. Gohan pressed his hand over his eyes. "Please don't."
Bojack screamed at the top of his lungs and fired a high-speed ki blast that crashed into the keel of the ship. The entire bottom buckled and ruptured, resulting in an explosion beneath the waves that made the vessel start sinking. As the sounds of people screaming echoed out, Bojack leapt out from the water and started flying towards Gyosan Mane Island. "LEAVE ALL THOSE PEOPLE TO DROWN, SAIYAN! I DARE YOU!"
As Bojack rushed away, Gohan shook his head with a displeased look on his face. He looked up at the sky and motioned.
"I gave him a chance, Santa. You saw that, right? Just...be cool tonight. Please."
The hulking Heran hatefully sneered. Gohan sighed. "Come on. It's Christmas Eve. Be reasonable and just leave. Okay?"
At that moment, a ship full of escaping tourists began to sail by. Bojack flinched as his gaze locked onto it. Gohan closed his eyes and mumbled. "Don't..."
Bojack raised his hand. Gohan shook his head. "Don't."
A blast began to charge just below the water. Gohan pressed his hand over his eyes. "Please don't."
Bojack screamed at the top of his lungs and fired a high-speed ki blast that crashed into the keel of the ship. The entire bottom buckled and ruptured, resulting in an explosion beneath the waves that made the vessel start sinking. As the sounds of people screaming echoed out, Bojack leapt out from the water and started flying towards Gyosan Mane Island. "LEAVE ALL THOSE PEOPLE TO DROWN, SAIYAN! I DARE YOU!"
As Bojack rushed away, Gohan shook his head with a displeased look on his face. He looked up at the sky and motioned.
"I gave him a chance, Santa. You saw that, right? Just...be cool tonight. Please."
Gohan: [holds his hand out] I saw all the pain and loneliness you had to go through… and I'm really sorry for all the suffering that you had to endure because of me. Please… let me help you, Videl.
Orthros: [momentarily hesitates, then suddenly knocks him to the ground] You can't help me. There isn't a person alive that can help me. I know this, because I saw it with my own eye. In every single universe I've visited, no matter how hard you tried and no matter how hard you fought… Son Gohan was always destined to fail.
Orthros: [momentarily hesitates, then suddenly knocks him to the ground] You can't help me. There isn't a person alive that can help me. I know this, because I saw it with my own eye. In every single universe I've visited, no matter how hard you tried and no matter how hard you fought… Son Gohan was always destined to fail.
Supergirl: You won't believe this, but I'm sorry. On my honor, I am. And if you will swear to stop this battle, I will help you search for your child. That is my promise.
Satan Girl: (sneering) Ohhhhh, don't you wish, Lightsister. I can find my child. After our war, I will find him. Or her. There is nothing left to us now, except the fight. -You would not tolerate my existence, nor I yours. I am not capable of your empathy, of your petty virtue. You are not capable of my ruthlessness and power. Come, sister. Let us destroy each other.
Satan Girl: (sneering) Ohhhhh, don't you wish, Lightsister. I can find my child. After our war, I will find him. Or her. There is nothing left to us now, except the fight. -You would not tolerate my existence, nor I yours. I am not capable of your empathy, of your petty virtue. You are not capable of my ruthlessness and power. Come, sister. Let us destroy each other.
Exdeath clenched his fist. "No." He said. "I will not." He began to cackle and laugh. "Do I look like a being who can turn back on his ways that easily? No! I could have told the Void to stop eating your planet at any time! I could have completed my plans without it at this point! Or… Well I thought I could."
"Why didn’t you?" Twilight tasked.
Exdeath summoned his weapon. "Because I enjoy watching others suffer. I had begun to think such enjoyment was pointless… But now I realize something. It is pointless."
The world changed again, this time to a square platform floating amongst stars.
"But it is all I have at this point."
"Why didn’t you?" Twilight tasked.
Exdeath summoned his weapon. "Because I enjoy watching others suffer. I had begun to think such enjoyment was pointless… But now I realize something. It is pointless."
The world changed again, this time to a square platform floating amongst stars.
"But it is all I have at this point."
Films — Animated
Rapunzel: Please Gothel, we can all start over. I forgive you for all those years. No more hatred, please!
Gothel: And be made a fool of? Never!
Gothel: And be made a fool of? Never!
Tai Lung: All I ever did, I did to make you proud! Tell me how proud you are, Shifu! Tell me! TELL ME!
Shifu: I have always been proud of you. From the first moment, I've been proud of you. And it was my pride that blinded me. I loved you too much to see what you were becoming. What I... was turning you into. I'm s... I'm sorry.
Tai Lung: [looks genuinely touched for a moment, then grabs Shifu by the neck and snarls] I don't want your apology! I want my scroll!
Shifu: I have always been proud of you. From the first moment, I've been proud of you. And it was my pride that blinded me. I loved you too much to see what you were becoming. What I... was turning you into. I'm s... I'm sorry.
Tai Lung: [looks genuinely touched for a moment, then grabs Shifu by the neck and snarls] I don't want your apology! I want my scroll!
Po: You gotta let go of that stuff in the past, 'cos it just doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is what you choose to be now.
Shen: You're right... Then I choose THIS!
Shen: You're right... Then I choose THIS!
Simba: Let it go, Zira. It's time to put the past behind us.
Zira: I'll NEVER let it go!
Zira: I'll NEVER let it go!
"My name's O'Hare
I'm one of you
I live here in Thneedville too
The things you say just might be true
It could be time to start anew
And maybe change my point of view...
(beat)
Nahhh, haha! I say let it die! Let it diiiie, let it die, let it shrivel up and—come on, who's with me, huh?!"
I'm one of you
I live here in Thneedville too
The things you say just might be true
It could be time to start anew
And maybe change my point of view...
(beat)
Nahhh, haha! I say let it die! Let it diiiie, let it die, let it shrivel up and—come on, who's with me, huh?!"
— Aloysius O'Hare during "Let it Grow", The Lorax (2012)
Marge: In every marriage you get one chance to say, 'I need you to do this with me.' And there's only one answer when somebody says that.
Homer: That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!
Marge: Homer Simpson!
Homer: That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!
Marge: Homer Simpson!
— The Simpsons Movienote
Films — Live-Action
Amon Goeth: I would like so much to.. reach out and touch you in your loneliness. What would it be like, I wonder? I mean, what would be wrong with that? I realize that you are not a person in the strictest sense of the word, but maybe you're right about that too. Maybe what's wrong, it's not us, it's this... I mean, when they compare you to vermin, to rodents and to lice. I just.. you make a good point. You make a very good point. Is this the face of a rat? Are these the eyes of a rat? "Hath not a Jew eyes?" I feel for you Helen.
[leaning forward to kiss her]
Amon Goeth: No, I don't think so. You Jewish bitch, you nearly talked me into it, didn't you?
[leaning forward to kiss her]
Amon Goeth: No, I don't think so. You Jewish bitch, you nearly talked me into it, didn't you?
Nicholas: Michael! Michael, wait! Is this what you really, really want?
Michael: (looks conflicted for a moment, then nods) Yarp.
Nicholas: Eh, suit yourself. (fight resumes)
Michael: (looks conflicted for a moment, then nods) Yarp.
Nicholas: Eh, suit yourself. (fight resumes)
— Hot Fuzz
Literature
Harry Dresden: These belts, man, the power they have given you. It's bad. You can't handle it. It's gotten into your head, and you aren't thinking straight. Give them up. You can still walk away from all of this, do the right thing. Come on, Denton. Don't throw away everything you fought for all those years. There is a better way than this. (shows Benn) Look at her. Those belts are like a drug. Is this the kind of person she was? Is this the kind of person you want to be? Wilson, Harris, were they always like they are now? You're turning into monsters, man. You've got to get out of this. Before you're all the way gone.
Denton: [closes his eyes, then shakes his head] You're a decent man, Mr Dresden. But you've got no idea how the world works. I am sorry you've gotten in the way. Necessary sacrifices.
Denton: [closes his eyes, then shakes his head] You're a decent man, Mr Dresden. But you've got no idea how the world works. I am sorry you've gotten in the way. Necessary sacrifices.
Live-Action TV
Daisy: It's not too late. Think about your son.
Talbot: I’m doing this for him.
Daisy: Did you see it on his face? How scared he was?
Talbot: It’s just because I changed! I've become the most powerful being in the universe! He will see, one day! The end justifies the means, right?
Daisy: The only people who say that are the ones doing bad things.
Talbot: I'm becoming a hero.
Daisy: You are one. [helps Talbot gets up] The minute you enlisted, you became one. We all did. Look around! You're surrounded by them! Anyone who signs up for this, to lose friends, or limbs, or your mind, or your life, in protection of humanity. We’re in this together. We need to join forces.
Talbot: [beat] That sounds good... Hale gave me that speech just before she tortured me. Coulson says it every time he’s gonna stab me in the back. Humanity is on the breach. And I alone can fix it. [Daisy tries attacking, only for him to immobilize and grab her with his powers] But you're right. We should join forces.
Talbot: I’m doing this for him.
Daisy: Did you see it on his face? How scared he was?
Talbot: It’s just because I changed! I've become the most powerful being in the universe! He will see, one day! The end justifies the means, right?
Daisy: The only people who say that are the ones doing bad things.
Talbot: I'm becoming a hero.
Daisy: You are one. [helps Talbot gets up] The minute you enlisted, you became one. We all did. Look around! You're surrounded by them! Anyone who signs up for this, to lose friends, or limbs, or your mind, or your life, in protection of humanity. We’re in this together. We need to join forces.
Talbot: [beat] That sounds good... Hale gave me that speech just before she tortured me. Coulson says it every time he’s gonna stab me in the back. Humanity is on the breach. And I alone can fix it. [Daisy tries attacking, only for him to immobilize and grab her with his powers] But you're right. We should join forces.
— Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The End
Angel: Going down this path will ruin you. You can't imagine the price for true evil.
Faith: Yeah? I hope evil takes MasterCard.
Faith: Yeah? I hope evil takes MasterCard.
Faith: Give me the speech again, please. "Faith, we're still your friends. We can help you. It's not too late."
Willow: It's way too late. You know, it didn't have to be this way. But you made your choice. I know you had a tough life. I know that some people think you had a lot of bad breaks. Well, boo hoo! Poor you. You know, you had a lot more in your life than some people. I mean, you had friends in your life like Buffy. Now you have no one. You were a Slayer and now you're nothing. You're just a big selfish, worthless waste.
Willow: It's way too late. You know, it didn't have to be this way. But you made your choice. I know you had a tough life. I know that some people think you had a lot of bad breaks. Well, boo hoo! Poor you. You know, you had a lot more in your life than some people. I mean, you had friends in your life like Buffy. Now you have no one. You were a Slayer and now you're nothing. You're just a big selfish, worthless waste.
Lily: So you made a life-changing decision not to change your life at all?
Barney: True story.
Barney: True story.
Tabletop Games
Abel must utter only three words to his brother for maximum effect: "I forgive you."
How Caine reacts to these words depends on whether you want to emphasize redemption or hubris as a theme in this story. [...] If you prefer to emphasize Caine's overpowering arrogance even now, he could reply to Abel, "I need neither your forgiveness nor your pity," walking through Abel's form and causing his brother's ghost to dissipate.
How Caine reacts to these words depends on whether you want to emphasize redemption or hubris as a theme in this story. [...] If you prefer to emphasize Caine's overpowering arrogance even now, he could reply to Abel, "I need neither your forgiveness nor your pity," walking through Abel's form and causing his brother's ghost to dissipate.
— Vampire: The Masquerade - Gehenna
Theatre
Veronica: I wish your mom had been a little stronger.
I wish she'd stayed around a little longer.
I wish your dad were good!
I wish grownups understood!
I wish we'd met before
they convinced you life is war!
I wish you'd come with me...
J.D.: I wish I had more TNT.
I wish she'd stayed around a little longer.
I wish your dad were good!
I wish grownups understood!
I wish we'd met before
they convinced you life is war!
I wish you'd come with me...
J.D.: I wish I had more TNT.
—Heathers, "Dead Girl Walking (Reprise)"
Video Games
Batman: Jason! I can help you!
Arkham Knight/Jason Todd: There's no helping me!
Arkham Knight/Jason Todd: There's no helping me!
[upon discovering/remembering they're actually in Hell in a Groundhog Day Loop]
Sal: So this is my punchline. The universe taking its grand revenge for all my misdeeds. Well, I ain't taking it. You hear me? I ain't playing anymore. I don't regret a damn thing. If I had my time over, I'd do it all again. Every fucking part of it. So universe, you wanna know what I think? I think, you can go fuck yourself!
Finn: This is all just a game isn't it? A big, twisted, fucked-up game. What am I supposed to do, come to some great realization about my life? Throw myself to the ground, beg for forgiveness? Well I got news for you, not gonna happen.
Billy: Am I stuck here until I see the error of my ways?! Until I repent? Well you're gonna have to wait a long time. Because I don't regret a damn thing!
Sal: So this is my punchline. The universe taking its grand revenge for all my misdeeds. Well, I ain't taking it. You hear me? I ain't playing anymore. I don't regret a damn thing. If I had my time over, I'd do it all again. Every fucking part of it. So universe, you wanna know what I think? I think, you can go fuck yourself!
Finn: This is all just a game isn't it? A big, twisted, fucked-up game. What am I supposed to do, come to some great realization about my life? Throw myself to the ground, beg for forgiveness? Well I got news for you, not gonna happen.
Billy: Am I stuck here until I see the error of my ways?! Until I repent? Well you're gonna have to wait a long time. Because I don't regret a damn thing!
— Three of the four mobsters, Call of Duty: Zombies: Mob of the dead
Celica: Open your eyes, Jedah. No matter how it pains you, you must see the truth. Duma’s gone mad—he brings only suffering to his people now. This is the divine dragons’ fate.
Jedah: Silence, girl! You know nothing of what you speak. And if suffering is the gods’ will, what of it? Without their strength at its foundation, Valentia cannot sustain life.
Jedah: Silence, girl! You know nothing of what you speak. And if suffering is the gods’ will, what of it? Without their strength at its foundation, Valentia cannot sustain life.
Britz: Stop, it's all over now… Lieutenant Colonel Kish.
Flam Kish: You're… Heh, so that's how it is. You're traitor trash… Just like your traitorous father!
Britz: It's the Berman who betrayed us… made my mother and sister suffer… And they will eventually do the same thing to you…
Flam Kish: (aims her pistol at the Taranis as one last desperate act of defiance) No… I do not concede defeat!! Victory is ours… Glory to… the Berman Empire!!
Flam Kish: You're… Heh, so that's how it is. You're traitor trash… Just like your traitorous father!
Britz: It's the Berman who betrayed us… made my mother and sister suffer… And they will eventually do the same thing to you…
Flam Kish: (aims her pistol at the Taranis as one last desperate act of defiance) No… I do not concede defeat!! Victory is ours… Glory to… the Berman Empire!!
Jin: Enough! (give Ryuzo's straw hat back to him) It's not too late. Help me save our home.
Ryuzo: ... It belongs to them now.
Jin: Ryuzo...
Ryuzo: He's here! The samurai's here!
Ryuzo: ... It belongs to them now.
Jin: Ryuzo...
Ryuzo: He's here! The samurai's here!
Nier: Popola. Let's stop this now.
Popola: ...Stop? ...Stop? You want me to stop? You think I have the luxury to stop? You cut down my sister like an animal and you tell me to stop?
Emil: Popola, wait! It doesn't have to-
Popola: No one STOPS! It's way too late to STOP! NO ONE STOOOOOPS!
Popola: ...Stop? ...Stop? You want me to stop? You think I have the luxury to stop? You cut down my sister like an animal and you tell me to stop?
Emil: Popola, wait! It doesn't have to-
Popola: No one STOPS! It's way too late to STOP! NO ONE STOOOOOPS!
— NieR
Xe'ra: Your true potential, your redemption lies before you. Let go of your shattered form and embrace the Light's power.
Illidan: [wary] I've traded my freedom for power before.
Xe'ra: The prophecy... must be fulfilled. [snares Illidan and drags him closer] Your old life has passed. The Light will forge you a new one.
Illidan: It is not yours to take!
Xe'ra: The Light will heal your scars.
Illidan: I am my scars!
Xe'ra: The Light is your destiny.
Illidan: My destiny is my own! [destroys Xe'ra]
Illidan: [wary] I've traded my freedom for power before.
Xe'ra: The prophecy... must be fulfilled. [snares Illidan and drags him closer] Your old life has passed. The Light will forge you a new one.
Illidan: It is not yours to take!
Xe'ra: The Light will heal your scars.
Illidan: I am my scars!
Xe'ra: The Light is your destiny.
Illidan: My destiny is my own! [destroys Xe'ra]
Web Animation
Freeza: Word of advice: you want out of here? Play nice, work off your time, and convince them you're not a total piece of shit.
Cell: Oh really? If it's that easy, why the here are you still here?
Freeza: Oh, you see, Perfect Cell, it's because...(lifts Cell up by the neck with his tail)...I know who I f*cking am. I'm a child-killing, people-enslaving galactic tyrant, and I'd rather die a million more times before I ever pretend otherwise.
Cell: Oh really? If it's that easy, why the here are you still here?
Freeza: Oh, you see, Perfect Cell, it's because...(lifts Cell up by the neck with his tail)...I know who I f*cking am. I'm a child-killing, people-enslaving galactic tyrant, and I'd rather die a million more times before I ever pretend otherwise.
—HFIL episode 1: "Cell in a Hell"
But I have not learned my lesson. I will not have a redemption arc. In fact, this is just the beginning. Just you wait, this is just the start. I'm gonna come back stronger than ever, destroy even more. I will never again be punished.
Webcomics
"What happened here is, they were sincerely reaching out to make the system better, and you kicked their hands away. Because you can’t believe that there are people who, deep down, don’t think exactly like you."
Web Video
Now I'll tell you why I spit on your forgiveness. Why I loathe your redemption. In order to reach a hand down to someone, they need to be BENEATH YOU! And I am beneath nobody.
— Asmodeus, Critical Role: Exandria Unlimited: Calamity
Western Animation
Aang: Please listen to me! We don't have to fight. You have the power to end it here and stop what you're doing.
Ozai: You're right, I do have the power. I have all the power in the WORLD!
Ozai: You're right, I do have the power. I have all the power in the WORLD!
— Avatar: The Last Airbender, "Sozin's Comet Part 3: Out of the Inferno"
Azmuth: Sowing chaos doesn't take any special talent, Malware. If that's the best you can do, I am not impressed.
Malware: No! Nothing I do could ever impress you, could it, "father"? In your eyes, I am nothing but your failed experiment. Your... shame!
Azmuth: My only shame is that I have been unable to heal your pain. But it's not too late. Give up this vendetta of yours, and we will work together to make you whole.
Malware: [hesitates for a second, then breaks down] LIES! Even now, you conspire against me! It is too late!
Malware: No! Nothing I do could ever impress you, could it, "father"? In your eyes, I am nothing but your failed experiment. Your... shame!
Azmuth: My only shame is that I have been unable to heal your pain. But it's not too late. Give up this vendetta of yours, and we will work together to make you whole.
Malware: [hesitates for a second, then breaks down] LIES! Even now, you conspire against me! It is too late!
— Ben 10: Omniverse, "Showdown Part 2"
Suyin: I don't know what I did to hurt you, but whatever it was, I'm sorry. When you left Zaofu, it broke my heart — and our family has never been the same since. Please, Baatar — stop all this and come home. We want you back with us.
Baatar Jr.: Kuvira is my family now!
[Suyin is driven to tears]
Baatar Jr.: Kuvira is my family now!
[Suyin is driven to tears]
— Legend of Korra, "Day of the Colossus"
Applejack: Must've felt pretty nice to finally put all your connivin' and cheatin' skills to good use.
Flam: In fact, we might think of it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Flim: Emphasis on "once".
Flam: In fact, we might think of it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Flim: Emphasis on "once".
— My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, "Viva Las Pegasus"
Starlight Glimmer: When Twilight and her friends defeated me, I chose to run away and seek revenge! You don't have to! You can be the leader your subjects deserve. [offers hoof to Queen Chrysalis]
Queen Chrysalis: [seems to consider it, then smacks Starlight's hoof away] There is no revenge you could ever conceive of that will come close to what I will exact upon you one day, Starlight Glimmer!
Queen Chrysalis: [seems to consider it, then smacks Starlight's hoof away] There is no revenge you could ever conceive of that will come close to what I will exact upon you one day, Starlight Glimmer!
— My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, "To Where and Back Again, part 2"
Moon: Oh, Mina... Your loyalty is truly admirable... nobody has defended Mewni so selflessly for so long! But... the Solarian Program was a dark time in our History. And your soul just paid a dark price for what was done to them. You don't have to let that define you! You can be more than what you were made for!
Mina: ...NO!! I'll always be a soldier! Just like you'll always be the Queen! Where's your loyalty to the peeps?!
Moon: I have loyalty!
Mina: LIES! I took an oath! And as long as the enemies of Mewni exist, I will never stop fighting them!
Mina: ...NO!! I'll always be a soldier! Just like you'll always be the Queen! Where's your loyalty to the peeps?!
Moon: I have loyalty!
Mina: LIES! I took an oath! And as long as the enemies of Mewni exist, I will never stop fighting them!
