Taxi Driver

Travis Bickle arrives at a New York City taxi depot looking for work as a driver. He impresses the personnel officer by claiming to be an honorably discharged Marine from Vietnam, which earns him a position on the night shift despite his struggles with chronic insomnia.

At just 26 years old, Travis leads a profoundly isolated life, often spending time alone in his dingy Manhattan apartment. He fabricates stories to send to his parents, suggesting he leads an exciting life connected to the Secret Service.

Travis endures long and taxing shifts, driving passengers across the five boroughs of New York City. After work, he visits an all-night diner where he interacts with fellow cab drivers, including a self-proclaimed philosopher named Wizard.

Travis becomes infatuated with Betsy, a campaign volunteer for Senator Palantine. He musters the courage to ask her out after observing her warmth towards others, and she agrees seemingly intrigued by Travis's empathy.

Travis's date with Betsy takes a disastrous turn when he decides to take her to a porn theater to watch an inappropriate film. Deeply offended, Betsy breaks off their relationship, leaving Travis devastated.

One fateful night, Travis encounters a 12-year-old prostitute named Iris who is trying to escape her life. Unfortunately, her pimp, Sport, asserts his control and forces Iris back to him, leaving Travis feeling helpless and powerless.

Travis has the opportunity to drive Senator Palantine, where he expresses a desire for the next president to cleanse the city of its filth. This encounter further fuels Travis's spiraling frustrations about the city he despises.

Sinking deeper into despair, Travis purchases firearms and begins an extreme physical regimen, rehearsing violent lines in front of the mirror. His fixation on cleansing the city intensifies as he attends Senator Palantine's public events.

Travis intervenes during a grocery store robbery, shooting the robber in an impulsive act of vigilante justice. This violent outburst further cements his path towards chaos and moral ambiguity.

Travis confronts Sport in a tense meeting, aiming to liberate Iris from her exploitation. Despite his good intentions, the situation unfolds into a volatile negotiation that makes it clear that Iris is trapped in a cycle of manipulation.

In a moment of reckoning, Travis decides to end his own life after preparing for an assassination attempt on Senator Palantine. However, his plans fall apart, leaving him in a state of desperation amidst the chaos he’s created.

During a bloody clash in a brothel, Travis confronts Sport and the men protecting him. The violence culminates in a severely damaged space, where Travis, fully consumed by his vendetta, contemplates his own mortality.

Following the violent events, Travis is hailed as a hero by the media for saving Iris. As he tries to reintegrate into society, he receives a letter from her parents, expressing their gratitude for his actions.

Upon returning to duty as a taxi driver, Travis unexpectedly encounters Betsy again, who acknowledges his newfound notoriety. Though the moment is poignant, Travis dismisses the label of a hero, hinting at his ongoing inner turmoil.

As Travis drives away, his expression reveals a complex mixture of emotions. He glances into the rear view mirror, suggesting that beneath the surface, the chaotic storm within him is far from quelled, hinting at uncertain futures.