The film unfolds against the backdrop of a gritty and unforgiving New York City, a landscape characterized by urban decay and moral ambiguity. Director Martin Scorsese captures the city's dark underbelly with unflinching realism, immersing viewers in a world teetering on the brink of collapse. This setting serves as a mirror for protagonist Travis Bickle's own inner turmoil, reflecting the bleakness and desolation of his own psyche. Dilapidated buildings loom over dimly lit streets, casting long shadows that obscure the line between light and darkness. New York City is a city in flux, a place where vice and depravity flourish amidst the chaos of urban life. It is a city of contradictions, where wealth and poverty exist side by side and where the promise of opportunity is overshadowed by the specter of despair. The filthy underbelly of New York City becomes a character in its own right, shaping the actions and motivations of the film's characters. It is a world where corruption and exploitation are rampant, and violence lurks around every corner.