The much-loved fairy tale of Shrek first came into our lives 20 years ago today and it's been living in our heads rent-free ever since.
Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and Dragon went on many adventures together and their stories ended happily ever after, but it has emerged that a much darker fate may have awaited some of the background characters.
A fan has speculated that Duloc was the site of an 'orgy of rioting and slaughter' after the events of the first film, adding that the magical creatures went on a violent rampage after Lord Farquaad was eaten.
The theorist also believes the creatures massacred all the inhabitants of Duloc before burning the city to the ground, and they have provided their evidence which is pretty darn convincing.
Taking to Reddit, user @premeddit said how in the first film the city of Duloc was 'prosperous, clean, has a large population and a thriving economy', but all that changed in just a few years.
When the city was shown again, in 2010's Scared Shrekless, the city is desolate - with upturned carts, smashed items, and multiple scorch marks.
He wrote: "It has clearly been destroyed and depopulated. But nobody ever has addressed how this happened. A kid watching probably wouldn't think too much of it, would just assume it got abandoned after Farquaad died.
"But I believe that in fact, immediately after the events of the Shrek movie, the fairy-tale creatures took their b***** revenge against the entire city, pillaging and burning it to the ground and likely murdering most of its citizens."
The author of the post then goes on to provide his evidence, breaking his argument into three main points - firstly that cities don't get abandoned that quickly, that there has clearly been violence, and finally that there is a motive.
He continued: "First of all, Farquaad dying wouldn't cause the whole city to instantly fail, someone else would just take his place and business would continue.
"Now perhaps Duloc's economy was wrecked as a result of the political changes, but even if we run with that and assume that people left because of economic hard times it takes more than a few years for a large capital city to be entirely empty.
"There would still be some form of inhabitation for a while. Historically the only times a city has been suddenly depopulated is due to either a natural disaster or... razing by an invading army. Such as a large uprising of fairies who are out for blood and starving for revenge."
The author goes on to explain that Scared Shrekless is set only a few years after the first film, and that the city shown in the film has clear signs of a battle.
There is broken glass, destroyed furniture, and trees and houses have clearly been set alight - possibly by Donkey's dragon going 'house to house and lighting them on fire'.
The theorist continued: "The first film begins with Farquaad exacting all manners of tortures and atrocities on magical creatures in heart-breaking scenes reminiscent of the Holocaust.
"Put yourself in the shoes of a magical creature during the movie - your own friends and neighbours turned you in to the secret police for a reward.
"Your assets, businesses and life savings were seized by the state. You were forcibly relocated into the wilderness to die of the elements.
"You may have been physically tortured (ie gingerbread man). Entire families were cruelly separated and murdered (ie. Mama Bear flayed to use as a rug).
"Now at the end of the movie, Farquaad has been assassinated and the military leadership is in disarray. Duloc, once your racist oppressor, is now helpless.
"Your allies are inside the palace and ready to open the gates. You are traumatized and full of rage. What are you going to do next?"
The theorist describes what happened next as 'an orgy of rioting and slaughter by the fairy-tale creatures', who burned 'entire city blocks', tore babies from 'their mother's arms', and saw 'civilians ripped apart by magical spells, teeth and claws'.
Fans of the theory were left impressed, although many admitted it wasn't what they wanted to hear.
One commented: "This 1) makes a ton of sense, and 2) is horrifying."
Another added: "Shrek is a whole different movie now."
So next time you're watching Shrek, spare a thought for the imminent disaster that awaits the citizens of Duloc.
Do you think the theorist has got it right? Let us know in the comments.
