Unforgettable Characters That Ruined Great Films
Jenny Everdeane (Gangs of New York, Martin Scorsese, 2002)
Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York" was a passion project that required meticulous casting. Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, and many other talented actors delivered outstanding performances. However, Cameron Diaz as Jenny Everdeane was a different story. Her accent was off, and her acting left much to be desired. Whenever she was on screen opposite the heavy hitters, the movie noticeably suffered. She was blown offscreen and exposed as out of her depth, with poor writing and a lack of substance.Even with a great production design and an ensemble cast, Jenny's presence detracted from the overall quality of the film. It's a prime example of how one misfit character can undermine an otherwise excellent movie.
Carrie (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Mike Newell, 1994)
"Four Weddings and a Funeral" is a classic romantic comedy, but Andie McDowell's Carrie was a major letdown. Her lines were often cringe-worthy, and her self-obsessed behavior made her a red flag. The audience was supposed to root for the lead couple, but Carrie's constant annoyance made it difficult to do so. She sucked the life out of the movie whenever she was on screen, and most viewers would have been happier if she had just left.Despite the film's overall charm, Carrie's character stood out as a major flaw, reminding us that even the best movies can have their weak links.
Cameron Vale (Scanners, David Cronenberg, 1981)
"Scanners" is a cult classic sci-fi film, but Stephen Lack's Cameron Vale was a disappointment. He seemed unsure how to pitch his performance, resulting in a lackluster and uninteresting character. On paper, Cameron was dull, but Lack managed to make it even worse by hamming it up for the cheap seats. His wooden acting and annoying demeanor made the audience wish for his head to explode.It's rare for a protagonist to be unlikeable, annoying, and wooden all at once, but Lack achieved this feat in "Scanners," showing that even a great movie can be let down by a single weak performance.
Fabienne (Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino, 1994)
"Pulp Fiction" is a masterpiece of modern cinema, but Fabienne served a specific function rather than being a standout character. As the only grounded character in the film, she anchored the story. However, by the end of her screentime, the audience was ready for her to leave. Her presence was not particularly annoying, but she didn't add much to the overall experience either.While Fabienne was important in the context of the movie, she didn't leave a lasting impression like some of the other characters on this list.
Rachel and Robbie Ferrier (War of the Worlds, Steven Spielberg, 2005)
In "War of the Worlds," deciding which fictional child was the most irritating was a tough call. Rachel and Robbie both had their issues. Rachel screamed constantly, reaching an insufferable level, while Robbie's daddy issues led him to abandon his family. When the focus shifted to the family dynamic, these two characters became a source of frustration for the audience.Although the first hour of the movie was excellent, the introduction of the Ferrier family detracted from the overall experience, showing that even Spielberg's movies can have their weak moments.
Samuel Vanek (The Babadook, Jennifer Kent, 2014)
In "The Babadook," Noah Wiseman's Samuel was meant to be a handful, but his behavior was exhausting to watch. His erratic and out-of-control actions wore down the protagonist, making the movie difficult to sit through. While the character was scripted this way, Wiseman's performance added to the annoyance.The Babadook is a great horror movie, but Samuel's presence made it a challenge to revisit, highlighting the impact that a single annoying character can have on a film.
Willie Scott (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Steven Spielberg, 1984)
Steven Spielberg wasn't a fan of "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," and Kate Capshaw's Willie Scott didn't help. She spent most of the movie screaming and moaning, making it a chore to watch. Spielberg and the audience had their issues with the movie and Capshaw's performance.Even though the two got a happy ending in real life, revisiting the movie with Willie Scott involved required the mute button to be nearby, showing how a single character can ruin an otherwise enjoyable film.
Frankie (Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino, 2012)
Quentin Tarantino's ego sometimes got the better of him in "Django Unchained." His self-indulgent monologue as Frankie was a painful experience. His limited acting skills and terrible accent shattered the film's immersion, making it a jarring moment in an otherwise great movie.It's a reminder that even a talented director can make mistakes when it comes to casting and acting, and how one bad performance can ruin the flow of a film.
Ruby Rhod (The Fifth Element, Luc Besson, 1997)
"The Fifth Element" is a wild sci-fi blockbuster, and Chris Tucker's Ruby Rhod fits perfectly into the unhinged world. His high-pitched energy and attention-seeking behavior are both a product of his time and a source of annoyance. His character is a reminder of how some characters can be too much to handle, even in the context of a crazy movie.While Ruby Rhod adds to the film's unique charm, his excessive nature also makes him one of the most irritating characters in cinema history.
Joey Starrett (Shane, George Stevens, 1953)
Young Brandon deWilde's performance as Joey Starrett in "Shane" was decent given his age and the demands of the role. However, his unyielding hero worship of Gary Cooper's Shane became a nuisance. The constant cutaways to his face for reaction shots became tiresome, as he had only one expression.Although "Shane" is a seminal western, Joey's character added a bit of a sour note, showing that even great movies can be affected by a young actor's limitations.