'Bad Santa', 'A Clockwork Orange', 'Emily the Criminal', 'Pulp Fiction', 'Goodfellas', 'Chopper', 'The Searchers', 'Baby Face', 'Talk Radio', 'I Shot Andy Warhol', 'Dangerous Liaisons', 'The Servant', 'Jurassic Park', 'Uncut Gems', 'Carry On Camping', 'Withnail and I', 'Falling Down' and 'Jaws' - all these films boast of unlikable characters, yet they manage to capture the hearts of audiences.
Take Willie Soke from 'Bad Santa', for instance. Despite his rough exterior, he exhibits a remarkable ability to save lives without demonstrating even an ounce of dignity or self-respect. This peculiar blend of traits makes him both despicable and endearing at the same time.
Then there's Alex DeLarge from 'A Clockwork Orange', who is depicted as a sociopathic rapist but Malcolm McDowell brings such charisma to his character that you can't help but be drawn into his world. The film expertly captures the complexities of a morally ambiguous individual, making him more relatable than one might expect.
Emily Bennetto in 'Emily the Criminal' is another standout character. Her ruthless determination and ability to navigate her surroundings make her both fascinating and terrifying. The film masterfully weaves together a narrative that challenges your perceptions of right and wrong.
In 'Pulp Fiction', Jules Winnfield - played by Samuel L Jackson - stands out as an unapologetic gunslinger with an unusual philosophical bent. His on-screen presence is unmistakable, but he's also shown to be human in his own way. The film explores the fine line between violence and redemption.
Tommy DeVito from 'Goodfellas' embodies the essence of a toxic gangster - repulsive yet undeniably compelling. This duality makes him an unforgettable screen presence. Isco Busquet's description of him as "a hand grenade with a missing pin" perfectly captures his volatile nature.
Mark Read from 'Chopper' is another memorable anti-hero, brought to life by Eric Bana in a career-high performance. The film delves into the true story behind Chopper's nickname and his use of bolt cutters and, well, toes.
Ethan Edwards from 'The Searchers' is a classic example of John Wayne's towering presence on screen. His character dominates every scene, leaving everyone else to struggle in his shadow.
Lily Powers from 'Baby Face' shines as the embodiment of 1930s excess, self-absorption and entitlement. Her character's meteoric rise to wealth and power is equally mesmerizing as her inevitable downfall.
Barry Champlain from 'Talk Radio' may be egotistical and abrasive, but there's an undeniable vulnerability beneath his surface. Glider's observation that he's "being crushed by the weight of society" beautifully captures this complexity.
Valerie Solanas in 'I Shot Andy Warhol' brings a captivating intensity to her portrayal of the real-life punk rocker turned assassin. Lili Taylor's performance is nothing short of breathtaking, and the film as a whole feels like an unappreciated gem.
Sebastian Valmont from 'Dangerous Liaisons' still manages to elicit powerful emotions long after the dueling scene in the film. The impact of his death on the audience is palpable, thanks in no small part to a well-timed sobbing session in the cinema.
Dirk Bogarde as the Servant in 'The Servant' brings a level of malevolence that's both captivating and unsettling at the same time. Roboxon aptly describes him as "marvellously malevolent yet somehow cheap."
John Hammond from 'Jurassic Park' exemplifies the perils of unchecked ambition, blind enthusiasm and hubris. His character serves as a cautionary tale about playing God.
Howard Ratner in 'Uncut Gems' embodies both destructive addiction and desperation. The line between sympathy for him and disgust at his actions is expertly blurred by Adam Sandler's nuanced performance.
Harriet Potter from 'Carry On Camping' remains utterly oblivious to the impact of her behavior, which makes her both repulsive and fascinating. vastariner nails it perfectly with their description of her as "appalling, indomitable and totally oblivious."
Last but not least, there's Withnail from 'Withnail and I', who is perhaps most infamous for his cowardice in the face of adversity - including letting his friend get sodomised so he could enjoy a holiday. Yet this very act makes him great. ManicOwl hits the nail on the head with their description of him as "a cowardly, deluded drunken waster."
Take Willie Soke from 'Bad Santa', for instance. Despite his rough exterior, he exhibits a remarkable ability to save lives without demonstrating even an ounce of dignity or self-respect. This peculiar blend of traits makes him both despicable and endearing at the same time.
Then there's Alex DeLarge from 'A Clockwork Orange', who is depicted as a sociopathic rapist but Malcolm McDowell brings such charisma to his character that you can't help but be drawn into his world. The film expertly captures the complexities of a morally ambiguous individual, making him more relatable than one might expect.
Emily Bennetto in 'Emily the Criminal' is another standout character. Her ruthless determination and ability to navigate her surroundings make her both fascinating and terrifying. The film masterfully weaves together a narrative that challenges your perceptions of right and wrong.
In 'Pulp Fiction', Jules Winnfield - played by Samuel L Jackson - stands out as an unapologetic gunslinger with an unusual philosophical bent. His on-screen presence is unmistakable, but he's also shown to be human in his own way. The film explores the fine line between violence and redemption.
Tommy DeVito from 'Goodfellas' embodies the essence of a toxic gangster - repulsive yet undeniably compelling. This duality makes him an unforgettable screen presence. Isco Busquet's description of him as "a hand grenade with a missing pin" perfectly captures his volatile nature.
Mark Read from 'Chopper' is another memorable anti-hero, brought to life by Eric Bana in a career-high performance. The film delves into the true story behind Chopper's nickname and his use of bolt cutters and, well, toes.
Ethan Edwards from 'The Searchers' is a classic example of John Wayne's towering presence on screen. His character dominates every scene, leaving everyone else to struggle in his shadow.
Lily Powers from 'Baby Face' shines as the embodiment of 1930s excess, self-absorption and entitlement. Her character's meteoric rise to wealth and power is equally mesmerizing as her inevitable downfall.
Barry Champlain from 'Talk Radio' may be egotistical and abrasive, but there's an undeniable vulnerability beneath his surface. Glider's observation that he's "being crushed by the weight of society" beautifully captures this complexity.
Valerie Solanas in 'I Shot Andy Warhol' brings a captivating intensity to her portrayal of the real-life punk rocker turned assassin. Lili Taylor's performance is nothing short of breathtaking, and the film as a whole feels like an unappreciated gem.
Sebastian Valmont from 'Dangerous Liaisons' still manages to elicit powerful emotions long after the dueling scene in the film. The impact of his death on the audience is palpable, thanks in no small part to a well-timed sobbing session in the cinema.
Dirk Bogarde as the Servant in 'The Servant' brings a level of malevolence that's both captivating and unsettling at the same time. Roboxon aptly describes him as "marvellously malevolent yet somehow cheap."
John Hammond from 'Jurassic Park' exemplifies the perils of unchecked ambition, blind enthusiasm and hubris. His character serves as a cautionary tale about playing God.
Howard Ratner in 'Uncut Gems' embodies both destructive addiction and desperation. The line between sympathy for him and disgust at his actions is expertly blurred by Adam Sandler's nuanced performance.
Harriet Potter from 'Carry On Camping' remains utterly oblivious to the impact of her behavior, which makes her both repulsive and fascinating. vastariner nails it perfectly with their description of her as "appalling, indomitable and totally oblivious."
Last but not least, there's Withnail from 'Withnail and I', who is perhaps most infamous for his cowardice in the face of adversity - including letting his friend get sodomised so he could enjoy a holiday. Yet this very act makes him great. ManicOwl hits the nail on the head with their description of him as "a cowardly, deluded drunken waster."
Can you believe how well-crafted all these films are? The way they make us root for characters who aren't exactly likable is pure genius. Like, I mean, Willie Soke from 'Bad Santa' is literally the anti-hero of my dreams - he's like a toxic teddy bear 
And Alex DeLarge from 'A Clockwork Orange'? Forget about it, he's like the ultimate bad boy with a heart of gold 
. The way these films explore the grey areas between right and wrong? Mind-blowing 
. It's like they're challenging us to reevaluate our own moral compasses 
.
and emily the criminal, girl, she's just SO FASCINATING 
ethan edwards from the searchers tho, john wayne at his finest 
just saw baby face tho, lily powers is EVERYTHING 
. And Alex DeLarge from 'A Clockwork Orange'? He's like the original bad boy, but Malcolm McDowell just makes him so charming that you forget he's a sociopath 
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This dynamic makes for compelling storytelling, allowing viewers to engage with characters that might otherwise be deemed one-dimensional. 
complex. I love how they all have that one trait that makes them super despicable, but also somehow lovable. Like, Willie Soke from Bad Santa is literally the opposite of a hero, but you can't help but root for him? 
And Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange, he's like this wild, messed up guy who's just so charismatic that you get drawn in despite himself... 
. and emily bennetto is straight up terrifying in her own way...like how does she keep it together? 
. There's something about watching someone like Alex DeLarge or Jules Winnfield that makes you feel like you're experiencing their world for real 
Like Willie Soke, who may be a jerk, but you can't help but root for him 
. Jules Winnfield's philosophical ramblings are like music to my ears 
. Tommy DeVito, oh man, he's like a toxic tornado 
. These characters all have this incredible chemistry that makes us love them despite ourselves 
But what really gets me is how these characters make you question your own morals and judgments. Emily Bennetto in Emily the Criminal is like, totally terrifying but also super relatable? 
Some films really know how to humanize sociopathic characters, like Alex DeLarge from 'A Clockwork Orange' - he's charismatic and complex. Then there are the lovably despicable ones, like Willie Soke from 'Bad Santa', who makes you root for him despite his rough exterior.
it's like...shark dies but then the main character is still all traumatized 
I love how these movies make you root for characters who are kinda trashy and despicable. Like, what's up with Willie Soke being a bad dude but still saving lives? It's like he's a toxic mess, but in a weird way, that makes him lovable 
. And Jules Winnfield's philosophical ramblings in Pulp Fiction are just too cool 
.
. They're flawed, they're messed up, but somehow... we can't look away 
they're not just 1D bad guys 
they got depth & layers 
or Alex DeLarge from 'A Clockwork Orange' who's a sociopath but malcolm mcduffell brings so much charisma to his role