History Main / CrueltyByFeet

There's a reason why it's KickTheDog and not '''Hit''' the Dog.[[note]]There's also a reason why CurbStompBattle is not called something like '''Easy Knockout''', and why villains are sometimes called "{{Heel}}s".[[/note]] While ViolenceIsDisturbing, there's something about a character using their feet to hurt someone that makes viewers especially uncomfortable. [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown Attacking someone on the ground (or in a similar helpless position)]] is already seen as a form of PragmaticVillainy[[note]]and is illegal in many countries, even during war[[/note]], but this moral disgust seems to be magnified if the person uses their feet to do it.

Tropes like HandStomp, KickThemWhileTheyAreDown, and FinishingStomp are almost always acted upon by villains, [[AntiHero Anti-Heroes]] and {{Nominal Hero}}es. If a hero does something like this, he or she can very easily become UnintentionallyUnsympathetic or a DesignatedHero. ''Punching'' someone who's on the ground is sometimes okay, but stomping someone's face or throat is usually not. Oftentimes, [[OhCrap other characters will react with shock and even horror to this]].

* The sadistic Esdeath in ''Manga/AkameGaKill'' is a big fan of this. Her EstablishingCharacterMoment is her forcing the Prince of the North to lick her shoes [[ShamefulStrip while he's naked]], and then when she's bored of it, [[KickTheDog she kills him with a casual kick to the face.]] There are several other points in the anime where she takes clear sadistic pleasure out of doing harm with her boots, which the protagonist notices when [[CombatStilettos she slowly kills an animal with her heel.]]

* In ''Series/TheBoys'', the audience already knows that Homelander is likely a sociopath and narcissist, but what reveals him to be a [[{{Sadist}} sadist]] is him [[ForTheEvulz slowly crushing a helpless terrorist's skull under his foot for kicks]]. [[NightmareFetishist He smiles at the results.]]

* In ''Series/{{Oz}}'', after Schillinger turns Tobias into his [[PrisonRape prag]], he more than once humiliates him with his feet, at one point resting [[NoYay his feet on Tobias' lap while threatening him]]. At another point, Schillinger makes Tobias clean his shoes with his tongue for [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain defending the argument that Jesus wasn't white,]] and he does this for the entertainment of his sadistic Aryan underlings.

** "Tragic Marker" had Mojo Jojo using a magic marker to make things appear by changing the wording of it, so he changes a "Stop" sign into "Stomp." The ''MontyPython'' foot drops on top of the girls.

** "Tragic Marker" had Mojo Jojo using a magic marker to make things appear by changing the wording of it, so he changes a "Stop" sign into "Stomp." The ''Series/MontyPython'' foot drops on top of the girls.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformersTheMovie'', after Megatron was thrown at the ground by a powerful punch from Optimus Prime, he is kicked by his [[TheStarscream treacherous fellow]] [[TropeNamer Starscream]], who always wanted to usurp Megatron's leadership.

* ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon2'': Drago Bloodvist, who is abusing the captive dragons in his command and has committed many atrocities, is often seen forcing the dragons to submit by brutally kicking them while they're down. This is in sharp contrast to the other dragon riders in the film, who gently approach the dragons by offering their hands and treat them more as trusting companions.

* In the evil endings of ''VideoGame/DemonsSouls'' and ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'', the hero turned villain attack and cruelly step on the head of the Maiden in Black or Fire Keeper. The malice inherent the move shows how vile and depraved the player has become. To get this ending requires you to [[TreacheryIsASpecialKindOfEvil attack your closest ally]] [[DirtyCoward in the back]], who happens to be a [[WouldHitAGirl young woman]].

** When the emissary of Xerxes visits Sparta to demand they accede to the Persian Empire, Leonidas refuses. The emissary is horrified, not only because the Persians number in the tens of thousands while Sparta could not muster more than one thousand but because this breaks SacredHospitality. "This is blasphemy!" chastens the emissary, "This is madness!" Leonidas responds, "Madness? This. Is. Sparta!" and kicks the emissary in the sternum, toppling him into the city well to his death. Usually, a kick would not be an example, but the fact that the emissary is completely helpless makes this an example.

* '''Power Imbalance:''' For one thing, feet are widely viewed as symbols of power in most cultures, but not so much ''creative'' power like hands are. Hands are associated with control, strength, and [[TheChessMaster manipulation]], but are also associated with art, expression, gentleness, peace and so on. Feet are almost exclusively seen as symbols of authority [[TrampledUnderfoot and destruction]], as well as [[IKissYourFoot submission to power]].[[note]]Also, your feet are the part of you that's the furthest from your face, which people need to see to know what you're feeling. If the camera is focused on someone's feet, it creates a greater emotional disconnect, [[LackOfEmpathy and implies that the character is especially cold-hearted]]. Compared to other forms of cruelty, this type is the most ''emotionally distanced''.[[/note]]

Naturally, this can be considered a SisterTrope of KickThemWhileTheyAreDown, but the difference is that the act of cruelty has to ''literally'' be committed by the character's feet. The power imbalance is key here. Kicks being used in a fight scene is not an example, unless one of the characters is on the ground or otherwise helpless. Compare and contrast FinishingStomp, CurbStompBattle, DismissiveKick, KickTheDog, TrampledUnderfoot, WeaponStomp, AgitatedItemStomping, CrushTheKeepsake and HandStomp, which can all be considered [[SubTrope Sub-Tropes]] of this. Also compare GiantFootOfStomping and IKissYourFoot, which can be an example of this if the intention is to humiliate or bully someone. Also see DominanceThroughFurniture, which is similar thematically.

* ''ComicBook/SecretWars1984'': As Molecule Man and Volcana traverse part of the villains' fortress, the Wrecking Crew makes snarky comments. When their taunting shifts to Volcana, however, Molecule Man takes umbrage, and solidifies Bulldozer's outfit, which renders him immobile. After toppling forward, Volcana stomps on his head, gloating, "That's it, crud. Eat some more mud." Bulldozer's colleagues rescue him before he suffocates, and begin to pry off his now-metallic outfit.

* A rare ''heroic example'' in ''WesternAnimation/{{Anastasia}}''. When Rasputin has Anya and Dimitri at his mercy, Anya's dog manages to knock Rasputin's SoulJar reliquary out of his grip, and sending it in Anya's direction. Anya ''knows'' that [[BewareTheNiceOnes destroying it will kill Rasputin. So, she casually stops the reliquary with her foot and slowly crushes it]], [[PunctuatedPounding doing it slowly enough]] that she can emphasize to Rasputin [[AndThisIsFor that she's avenging her family]]. The way she goes about it is very similar to how a villain would, [[InvertedTrope but Anya stays sympathetic because this really was the only way she could stop Rasputin, and because he really did have it coming after everything he did.]]

** When the emissary of Xerxes visits Sparta to demand they accede to the Persian Empire, Leonidas refuses. The emissary is horrified, not only because the Persians number in the tens of thousands while Sparta could not muster more than one thousand, but because this breaks SacredHospitality. "This is blasphemy!" chastens the emissary, "This is madness!" Leonidas responds, "Madness? This. Is. Sparta!" and kicks the emissary in the sternum, toppling him into the city well to his death. Usually, a kick would not be an example, but the fact that the emissary is completely helpless makes this an example.

* The MadeForTVMovie, "A Cry for Help: The Tracy Thurman Story," starring Creator/NancyMcKeon is based on the true account of a battered wife. The worst thing her husband does to her is knock her down and stomp on her head while she's lying on the sidewalk. This causes her to be partially paralyzed on one side and she ends up suing the local authorities for "failure to protect" since she'd been begging them to take her seriously.
* In ''Film/{{Drive}}'', what convinces the Driver's love interest that he's too unstable to be around is [[spoiler: when he stomps a hitman's face in right in front of her]].

** After [[spoiler:boxing Blindspot's]] [[EarAche ears so hard that it causes his ears to gush blood]], Homelander shows how little he cares about the young supe's excruciating pain by casually stepping over him as if he isn't there, while reprimanding Ashley for even considering "a cripple" as a new member of the Seven.
** In "Herogasm", [[spoiler:Homelander kills a shrunken and severly burnt Termite by squashing him under his heel on his way inside the mansion.]] While it may appear like an AccidentalMurder at first, the fact that Homelander has super hearing implies that he could hear [[spoiler: Termite's cries for help.]]

** In the same season, Jason tortures one of Eddie's friends by having his goons hold him down while he steps on his hand and threatens to break it. This is a first real hint to the audience that Jason is ''not'' a heroic character, no matter how much he acts like he is.

* In ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedOdyssey'', when the Eagle Bearer has [[spoiler:Kleon]] at her mercy, she can either kill him quickly by snapping his neck, or [[ToThePain sadistically kick him into the shore and violently drown him with her foot on his head, while smashing his face into the rocks underwater.]] This example doubles as both being violent, and humiliating.

* ''VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption2'': In an early mission, [[HeKnowsTooMuch Arthur chases a stranger who recognizes him from a robbery in Blackwater]], and he falls off his horse and ends up hanging from a cliff. The player is given the choice to either save him, or kill him. If the player chooses the latter, Arthur [[HandStomp stomps on the man's hand]] so he falls to his death. [[EnforcedTrope This drops the player's honor level by a significant amount]], more so than any other decision the player made up until that point.

There's a reason why it's KickTheDog and not '''Hit''' the Dog.[[note]]There's also a reason why CurbStompBattle is not called something like '''Easy Knockout''', and why villains are sometimes called "Heels".[[/note]] While ViolenceIsDisturbing, there's something about a character using their feet to hurt someone that makes viewers especially uncomfortable. [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown Attacking someone on the ground (or in a similar helpless position)]] is already seen as a form of PragmaticVillainy[[note]]and is illegal in many countries, even during war[[/note]], but this moral disgust seems to be magnified if the person uses their feet to do it.

* ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'': Anna Williams has a stomp attack she can only use against prone opponents. If she hits the opponent's torso, she'll automatically grind her [[CombatStilettos heel]] into them for extra damage. Morally, she's one of the more openly sadistic characters who enjoys humiliating and brutalizing her opponents.

* ''VideoGame/Tekken'': Anna Williams has a stomp attack she can only use against prone opponents. If she hits the opponent's torso, she'll automatically grind her [[CombatStilettos heel]] into them for extra damage. Morally, she's one of the more openly sadistic characters who enjoys humiliating and brutalizing her opponents.

As this is a trope related to morality, Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamples please!

Naturally, this can be considered a SisterTrope of KickThemWhileTheyAreDown, but the difference is that the act of cruelty has to ''literally'' be committed by the character's feet. The power imbalance is key here. Kicks being used in a fight scene is not an example, unless one of the characters is on the ground or otherwise helpless. Compare and contrast FinishingStomp, CurbStompBattle, DismissiveKick, KickTheDog, TrampledUnderfoot, WeaponStomp, AgitatedItemStomping, CrushTheKeepsake and HandStomp, which can all be considered SubTrope[=s=] of this. Also compare GiantFootOfStomping and IKissYourFoot, which can be an example of this if the intention is to humiliate or bully someone. Also see DominanceThroughFurniture, which is similar thematically.

There's a reason why it's KickTheDog and not '''Hit''' the Dog[[note]]There's also a reason why CurbStompBattle is not called something like '''Easy Knockout''', and why villains are sometimes called "Heels".[[/note]]. While ViolenceIsDisturbing, there's something about a character using their feet to hurt someone that makes viewers especially uncomfortable. [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown Attacking someone on the ground (or in a similar helpless position)]] is already seen as a form of PragmaticVillainy, [[labelnote: Note]] And is illegal in many countries, even during war. [[/labelnote]] but this moral disgust seems to be magnified if the person uses their feet to do it.

Tropes like HandStomp, KickThemWhileTheyAreDown, and FinishingStomp are almost always acted upon by villains, [[{{Antihero}} antiheroes]] and [[NominalHero Nominal Heroes]]. If a hero does something like this, he or she can very easily become UnintentionallyUnsympathetic or a DesignatedHero. ''Punching'' someone who's on the ground is sometimes okay, but stomping someone's face or throat is usually not. Oftentimes, [[OhCrap other characters will react with shock and even horror to this.]]

* '''Power Imbalance''': For one thing, feet are widely viewed as symbols of power in most cultures, but not so much ''creative'' power like hands are. Hands are associated with control, strength, and [[TheChessMaster manipulation]], but are also associated with art, expression, gentleness, peace and so on. Feet are almost exclusively seen as symbols of authority [[TrampledUnderfoot and destruction]], as well as [[IKissYourFoot submission to power]]. [[labelnote: Note]] Also, your feet are the part of you that's the furthest from your face, which people need to see to know what you're feeling. If the camera is focused on someone's feet, it creates a greater emotional disconnect, [[LackOfEmpathy and implies that the character is especially cold-hearted]]. Compared to other forms of cruelty, this type is the most ''emotionally distanced''.[[/labelnote]]
* '''Brutality''': Another aspect of this is the obvious fact that [[CombatPragmatism it's a lot easier to physically hurt someone with your feet than other unarmed methods]], especially if the victim is on the ground. Depending on the size of the person ([[CombatStilettos and what kind of shoes they're wearing]]), engaging in this trope in RealLife can easily lead to death.
* '''Humiliation''': And of course, your feet are on the ground almost all the time, giving the implication that the act of cruelty is also an act of humiliation, making the motivation similar to DominanceThroughFurniture. There is the implication that their victim is not worth their time, as if they are nothing but a bug to them. Oftentimes, this trope accentuates a villain's pettiness and disdain when they do this, as well as their cruelty. [[labelnote: Note]] This is TruthInTelevision for many cultures, especially in the Middle East. Just showing the sole of your foot is highly offensive, and one of the greatest insults in Arab cultures is hitting or throwing your shoes at someone. [[/labelnote]]

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->"Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless. If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face. Forever."
-->-- '''O'Brien''', ''Literature/NineteenEightyFour

There's a reason why it's KickTheDog and not ''Hit'' The Dog [[labelnote: Note]] There's also a reason why CurbStompBattle is not called something like ''Easy Knockout'', and why villains are sometimes called "Heels". [[/labelnote]]. While ViolenceIsDisturbing, there's something about a character using their feet to hurt someone that makes viewers especially uncomfortable. [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown Attacking someone on the ground (or in a similar helpless position)]] is already seen as a form of PragmaticVillainy, [[labelnote: Note]] And is illegal in many countries, even during war. [[/labelnote]] but this moral disgust seems to be magnified if the person uses their feet to do it.

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-->'''Eagle Bearer''': You will die just as you lived, as a coward.

-->'''Birna''': You'll be suckin' my toes while I stand on your head!

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-->'''Darkseid''': Yes, that is where you belong Superman. Under my heel.

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