The Unlikable Heroes of Cinema: What Makes Us Love (and Hate) Their Flawed Characters
Willie Soke, the anti-hero of Bad Santa, defies conventions with his brutish charm, saving a child's life while still being a lovable rogue. His unwavering commitment to mischief and mayhem is matched only by his ability to wring out laughs from even the most unsympathetic situations.
Meanwhile, Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange continues to fascinate audiences with his unnerving charisma. Despite committing heinous crimes and displaying a sociopathic streak, Malcolm McDowell brings an undeniable likability to the role that's both captivating and unsettling. We can't help but be drawn in by his unhinged energy, even as we're aware of the atrocities he commits.
But what about Emily Bennetto from Emily the Criminal? To our surprise, she becomes a complex and compelling figure, thanks in part to her ruthless ambition and unyielding dedication to achieving her goals. Her eyes, courtesy of Plaza's masterful direction, are truly unforgettable – an icy stare that sends shivers down our spines.
Jules Winnfield from Pulp Fiction is another memorable example of how complexity can make even the most unlikeable character lovable. This wisecracking hitman navigates his way through a series of morally ambiguous situations with ease, all while displaying a razor-sharp wit and an undeniable charm that makes us root for him despite himself.
Tommy DeVito from Goodfellas, on the other hand, is less likable – but equally captivating. His sheer audacity and unapologetic villainy make for some of the most memorable scenes in cinema history, even as we're aware of his reprehensible behavior.
Mark 'Chopper' Read, the titular character of Chopper, walks a fine line between heroism and villainy. Brilliantly played by Eric Bana, Chopper's quotability and unapologetic nature make him both fascinating and repellent at the same time.
In contrast, Ethan Edwards from The Searchers stands as a towering presence on screen – John Wayne's iconic performance brings an undeniable gravitas to the role of this complex, morally ambiguous character.
While some characters leave us feeling reviled, others elicit our admiration and sympathy. Lily Powers from Baby Face is one such example – her Machiavellian machinations and outrageous behavior make for a deliciously wicked performance that's impossible to look away from.
Sebastian Valmont from Dangerous Liaisons continues to evoke strong emotions with his ruthless charm and devastating impact on those around him. His fate at the end of the film still manages to move audiences to tears, years after its release.
In a world where our sympathies are frequently tested by characters who walk fine lines between good and evil, there's something both captivating and terrifying about these anti-heroes – they force us to confront our own moral ambiguities and ask ourselves which side of the line we truly stand on.
Willie Soke, the anti-hero of Bad Santa, defies conventions with his brutish charm, saving a child's life while still being a lovable rogue. His unwavering commitment to mischief and mayhem is matched only by his ability to wring out laughs from even the most unsympathetic situations.
Meanwhile, Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange continues to fascinate audiences with his unnerving charisma. Despite committing heinous crimes and displaying a sociopathic streak, Malcolm McDowell brings an undeniable likability to the role that's both captivating and unsettling. We can't help but be drawn in by his unhinged energy, even as we're aware of the atrocities he commits.
But what about Emily Bennetto from Emily the Criminal? To our surprise, she becomes a complex and compelling figure, thanks in part to her ruthless ambition and unyielding dedication to achieving her goals. Her eyes, courtesy of Plaza's masterful direction, are truly unforgettable – an icy stare that sends shivers down our spines.
Jules Winnfield from Pulp Fiction is another memorable example of how complexity can make even the most unlikeable character lovable. This wisecracking hitman navigates his way through a series of morally ambiguous situations with ease, all while displaying a razor-sharp wit and an undeniable charm that makes us root for him despite himself.
Tommy DeVito from Goodfellas, on the other hand, is less likable – but equally captivating. His sheer audacity and unapologetic villainy make for some of the most memorable scenes in cinema history, even as we're aware of his reprehensible behavior.
Mark 'Chopper' Read, the titular character of Chopper, walks a fine line between heroism and villainy. Brilliantly played by Eric Bana, Chopper's quotability and unapologetic nature make him both fascinating and repellent at the same time.
In contrast, Ethan Edwards from The Searchers stands as a towering presence on screen – John Wayne's iconic performance brings an undeniable gravitas to the role of this complex, morally ambiguous character.
While some characters leave us feeling reviled, others elicit our admiration and sympathy. Lily Powers from Baby Face is one such example – her Machiavellian machinations and outrageous behavior make for a deliciously wicked performance that's impossible to look away from.
Sebastian Valmont from Dangerous Liaisons continues to evoke strong emotions with his ruthless charm and devastating impact on those around him. His fate at the end of the film still manages to move audiences to tears, years after its release.
In a world where our sympathies are frequently tested by characters who walk fine lines between good and evil, there's something both captivating and terrifying about these anti-heroes – they force us to confront our own moral ambiguities and ask ourselves which side of the line we truly stand on.
. I mean, can you imagine how boring the movie would be if Willie Soke was just a straight-up good guy? 
Where's the fun in that? And at the same time, we can't help but feel bad for Alex DeLarge because he's so charming and charismatic... it's like he's got this dark edge that makes us want to punch him (but also not) 
. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to watch a movie about someone as ruthless and ambitious as Emily Bennetto? 
. Some love 'em for their rough edges, while others can't stand 'em 
. But what's so captivating about these complex characters? I think it's because they're real – flawed, messy, and sometimes downright terrifying 
.
I'm talking tears rolling down my face, not just from laughter! Like with Alex DeLarge, it's so hard to watch him commit those heinous crimes but at the same time, Malcolm McDowell brings such depth to his character that you can't help but feel for him. And what about Emily Bennetto? She's like a dark angel, all ruthless and driven, but still kinda likable? 
.
but also kinda admire them? It's like, they're so flawed and messed up, but you can't help but be drawn to them. And that's what makes them so captivating, right? 
! Like Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange, right? He's literally a sociopath but you still kinda feel bad for him? 
And what about Jules Winnfield from Pulp Fiction? He's a hitman with a heart of gold, lol. That's some wild stuff. But at the same time, you can't help but root for characters like them because they're so...humanized 
. It's like we get to see both sides of their personalities and it makes us feel all sorts of emotions - anger, sadness, empathy. It's messed up 
. Anyway, these "anti-heroes" do force us to think about our own morals and values. We gotta ask ourselves, are they good guys or bad guys? 
. Take Willie Soke from Bad Santa, for instance – his rough-around-the-edges charm has us rooting for him even as he perpetuates mischief and mayhem 
, yet somehow still manage to be lovable or even likable in their own twisted way. It's like they're this dark mirror reflecting our own darker impulses 
- they make us believe that there's something redeemable about these broken characters. Like Willie Soke, for example - you know he's trouble, but he's also somehow kinda endearing 
. I love how cinema can turn our disgust into admiration and empathy 
. These anti-heroes might not be good role models, but they're undeniably compelling 
.