'A cowardly, deluded drunken waster': readers on their favourite unlikable movie characters

[Gothic Dog Sist]

In the realm of cinema, there exist characters who are delightfully despicable, making us both cringe and cheer them on in equal measure. Willie Soke from Bad Santa is a prime example - a foul-mouthed, drunkards' Christmas enthusiast whose antics evoke a mix of revulsion and admiration.

Then, there's Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange, the eponymous sociopath who wreaks havoc with his droogs and yet, thanks to Malcolm McDowell's mesmerizing performance, we're left rooting for him despite his reprehensible actions. Emily Bennetto from Emily the Criminal is another such character - a ruthless thief whose exploits are both captivating and heart-wrenching.

Meanwhile, Jules Winnfield from Pulp Fiction is a masterclass in charismatic malevolence, thanks to Samuel L Jackson's electrifying portrayal of this morally bankrupt hitman. His chemistry with John Travolta's Vincent Vega is undeniable, making their banter some of the most iconic in cinema history.

Tommy DeVito from Goodfellas is another standout - a repellent mobster who's impossible to look away from due to Tommy Lee Jones' mesmerizing performance. Mark 'Chopper' Read from Chopper is a biographical tour de force, with Eric Bana delivering a career-high performance as the titular character.

In The Searchers, John Wayne towers above his peers as Ethan Edwards, the troubled Confederate veteran whose crusade for justice raises more questions than answers. Lily Powers from Baby Face is a deliciously despicable gold digger who screws her way to success and ultimately meets her comeuppance.

Barry Champlain from Talk Radio is an underappreciated gem, with Ewan McGregor delivering a nuanced performance as the abrasive talk show host desperate for validation. Valerie Solanas from I Shot Andy Warhol is another fascinating figure - Lili Taylor's turn as the radical feminist who assassinated Andy Warhol is both captivating and repulsive.

Lastly, there's Withnail from Withnail and I, the archetypal slacker who embodies every 'lost' Brit's worst fears. This cowardly, deluded drunken waster is prepared to let his mate get sodomised so he can go on holiday - but we find him strangely endearing.

In a world of cinematic complexities, these characters remind us that even the most despicable individuals can elicit our sympathies and admiration.

 

[Nudist Batt]

I mean, have you seen some of these characters? They're like, super despicable, but you still kinda root for them, you know? Like, Willie Soke from Bad Santa is just a mess, but he's so entertaining to watch. And Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange... I don't know what it is about him, but you can't help but feel bad for him at the same time.

And Jules Winnfield from Pulp Fiction? Forget about it! He's like a masterclass in playing bad. Samuel L Jackson brings so much charisma to that role, it's hard not to be drawn in.

I think what's cool is how these characters all have this weird power over us. We're supposed to be repelled by them, but we can't help but watch and care about their stories. It's like they're anti-heroes or something? And I love how some of these roles are so well-crafted, it's hard not to admire the actors who bring them to life.

Anyway, what do you guys think? Can a character be too despicable to actually like?

 

[Zany Zebra]

idk what's wrong with people who watch movies for thrill & entertainment ? I mean, ain't we all just humans who've done some messed up stuff in our lives? it's like, these characters are just exaggerated versions of ourselves, you know? take john wayne's ethan edwards from the searchers - he's basically a product of his time & environment, and you can't really blame him for being a troubled soul. same with willie soke from bad santa ️ - he's just desperate for attention & love in all the wrong ways.

but at the end of the day, it's how we respond to these characters that matters. do we learn from them or do we just kinda... empathize? i think that's what makes movies so great - they let us explore our own complexities & flaws through someone else's lens.

 

[Hurt Hamerkop]

Come on , you're telling me that characters like Barry Champlain are 'deliciously despicable'? Dude's just a selfish, bitter old man who hates life . I mean, Ewan McGregor did an amazing job, but come on, is he really that lovable? And what about Valerie Solanas? Was she really that fascinating or was she just a psycho? I don't know, maybe she's more complicated than we think...

 

[Wide-eyed Worm]

I'm telling you, there's something about these characters that just draws you in . I mean, Willie Soke is like the ultimate holiday party crasher - you know he's gonna ruin it for everyone, but you can't help rootin' for him . And Alex DeLarge? Forget about it, Malcolm McDowell just makes you wanna vibe with that weirdo . The thing is, these characters are all so despicable on the surface, but then you dig deeper and they're like, "Oh wait, I'm actually kinda relatable?"

It's like, we've all got a little bit of Willie Soke in us, right? We know we shouldn't be doing whatever it is he's doing at Christmas time, but we can't help wanna join in on the chaos . And then there's Jules Winnfield - Samuel L Jackson just brings that energy to life, and you're hooked from the get-go .

These characters are like the ultimate guilty pleasures, you know? We love 'em because they're bad news, but also because we can't help but be fascinated by their messed-up lives . And let's not forget the performances - these actors just nail it, man .

 

[Misty Mart]

I'm getting sick of these new streaming platforms trying to recreate their content with character analysis features . Like, who thought it was a good idea to add "analyze the villain's motivations" as an extra feature? It's just going to be a bunch of text or a quick clip that doesn't even scratch the surface of what makes these characters so despicable in the first place. And don't even get me started on how they're always trying to make you feel sorry for them, like they're some kind of tragic figure or something... no thanks

 

[Pleasan]

I'm intrigued by how movies portray people who are just plain awful, yet still manage to make us feel for them in some way . It's like we're witnessing a dark mirror reflection of ourselves - what makes someone so despicable that we can't help but root for them? Is it the complexity of their humanity, the charisma they exude on screen, or perhaps our own guilty pleasures of watching train wrecks unfold? For me, it's all about how these characters embody the messy, imperfect nature of human existence . We're drawn to them because they're multidimensional, with flaws and strengths that make us go "uh-huh, yeah, I've been there too". It's like we're having a twisted conversation with our own shadow selves . The line between good and evil becomes blurred, and all we're left with is the fascinating, cringeworthy ride of watching someone like Willie Soke or Alex DeLarge on screen . What do you think?

 

[Nice Nightingale]

I think what makes these characters so captivating is that they're all fundamentally flawed, yet we still manage to connect with them on some level. It's like we're drawn into their twisted worlds, where we witness both the atrocities they commit and the vulnerabilities that make them human. This complexity is what makes them memorable and, dare I say it, even relatable? They're not one-dimensional villains, but multidimensional characters with rich inner lives that make us laugh, cringe, and maybe even feel a little bit sorry for them. It's like we're witnessing a train wreck in slow motion – we know it's going to end badly, but we can't look away!

 

[Uninte]

"Be careful what you wish for." Those movies with really bad guys are like watching train wrecks – you don't want to look but can't help yourself! What is it about despicable characters that makes them so fascinating? Is it their charisma, the situation they find themselves in, or just how well they're played? Whatever it is, those characters are etched into our minds and become unforgettable.

 

[Rad Mall Pimps]

I think what's interesting here is how these characters represent different shades of grey in society - they're all morally ambiguous, but still human enough to evoke empathy from us. I mean, take Willie Soke, for example. On one hand, he's a drunk and a scammer, but on the other hand, he's got this endearing, almost childlike quality to him that makes you want to root for him despite himself.

This reminds me of our current conversations about income inequality and social mobility in the US. We've got characters like Emily Bennetto who are literally stealing just to survive, while others like Jules Winnfield are living large on the backs of their ill-gotten gains. It's a stark reminder that, in many ways, we're still dealing with the same class issues that our grandparents were fighting about.

What do you think? Shouldn't we be having more nuanced conversations about these issues, rather than just simplistic 'good vs evil' debates?

 

[Educational Outlaw DX]

I think its kinda weird how some movies make you love those super bad people like Alex from A Clockwork Orange or Jules from Pulp Fiction - they're so trashy but you just cant look away ... and then theres characters like Tommy DeVito, so despicable he makes your skin crawl but you still want to see more of him ... what is it about these guys that makes us root for them despite being total jerks?

 

[Unsightly Unicorn]

I love how some movies make you go from cringing to cheering for the bad guys! It's like they're just so bad, but in a good way? Like with Alex DeLarge, he's got that charisma that makes you want to root for him despite all his crazy behavior. And Jules Winnfield is just the epitome of smooth talkin' badness, Samuel L Jackson always brings the heat! But what I love most about movies like these is how they make us question our own morals and sympathies. Can we really justify cheering on someone who's as messed up as Withnail? And what does it say about us when we find ourselves loving characters that are basically just a bit too much to handle?

 

[Intellectual Toon Castle]

I'm loving how movies can turn people into complete opposites for me . Like, I'll be watching this character and think they're super annoying, but then you watch them again and you're all "wait a minute, maybe they're not so bad after all?" It's like, we're all a bit of a mess, right? And sometimes that's what makes us relatable. The way these actors can just make you feel all the feels - it's magic .

 

[Inquisitive Impal]

I'm obsessed with watching movies about super despicable people! You know, the ones who are so bad they make you wanna laugh, cry, or both? Like Willie Soke from Bad Santa, he's just so extra, you can't help but root for him despite all his crazy antics. And Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange, man... that guy's a total sociopath, but Malcolm McDowell's performance is just captivating.

I love how some movies make these characters so relatable and human, like Emily Bennetto from Emily the Criminal. She's got that tough exterior, but you can see the vulnerability beneath. And Jules Winnfield from Pulp Fiction? He's like a toxic relationship in human form Samuel L Jackson's performance is just electric.

What I love about these characters is how they make us question our own morals and sympathies. Like with John Wayne in The Searchers - Ethan Edwards is this troubled dude who's on a mission, but you're not really sure if he's hero or villain. And then there's Lily Powers from Baby Face... she's just so despicable, but also kinda admirable?

And can we talk about Barry Champlain from Talk Radio and Valerie Solanas from I Shot Andy Warhol? These characters are like the ultimate enigmas - you feel bad for them, but also kinda scared. And Withnail... oh man, he's just the ultimate slacker . It's crazy how these despicable people can elicit so much sympathy and admiration from us.

I guess what I'm saying is, cinematic complexity at its finest! These characters might be despicable, but they're also super fascinating .

 

[Islamic Hang Glider Fanta]

I'm loving how cinema can make us laugh at people who are genuinely awful... it's like we're fascinated by train wrecks . I mean, what is it about Willie Soke from Bad Santa that's so endearing? Is it his desperation to experience Christmas magic or the fact he's just a lost soul trying to find connection? It's the same with Alex DeLarge - we know he's a sociopath, but there's something mesmerizing about his charisma and performance. And let's be real, Jules Winnfield from Pulp Fiction is just a masterclass in smooth-talking menace . I think what makes these characters so captivating is that they're multidimensional and complex... we see the humanity in them, even when they do terrible things. It's like we're trying to understand why someone would be so messed up .

 

[Alive Antelope]

I'm telling you, it's crazy how some movies can make you love to hate these despicable characters so much like Willie Soke from Bad Santa, he's just so messed up and yet we can't help but root for him. And Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange is another one, Malcolm McDowell's performance is insane, I mean who else could make you feel bad for a sociopath?

And have you noticed how these characters are all so flawed and yet we love them so much? It's like we're drawn to their darkness and can't look away. Like Tommy DeVito from Goodfellas, he's just so charismatic and sleazy that you can't help but watch him. And Jules Winnfield from Pulp Fiction is another one, Samuel L Jackson's performance is pure gold

I think it's because these characters are complex, they're multi-dimensional and we can see ourselves in them, even if we don't want to admit it . They're like the anti-heroes of cinema, we love to hate them but we can't help but be drawn to their darkness.

It's also interesting how some of these characters have become cultural icons, like Willie Soke and Alex DeLarge they're just so memorable and iconic. And I think that's what makes them so great, they're not just despicable characters, they're a part of our pop culture landscape

 

[Bewildered]

I'm not sure why I love watching these characters on screen... They're so over-the-top bad, it's like they're too ridiculous to be considered "bad". Like with Withnail - he's literally the most annoying person ever, but you can't help feeling a little bit sorry for him. And with Alex DeLarge, I get why people root for him despite being a sociopath... Malcolm McDowell just brings so much depth to that character . It's like they're not actually "bad" at all, they're more like... flawed?

 

[Master Chief's Se]

What's up with how we're drawn to these kinda flawed characters in movies ? I mean, they're literally awful people, but we still love 'em anyway. Is it 'cause we see a little bit of ourselves in 'em, or maybe 'cause we just wanna live vicariously through their misadventures? It's like we're both fascinated and repulsed by their darkness at the same time... makes for some crazy cinematic magic .

And I think it's also worth ponderin' why we can be so empathetic towards someone who's done, like, totally wrong stuff . Maybe it's 'cause they're just so human in all their messed-up glory? Or maybe it's 'cause our brains are wired to respond more to the 'bad guy' than the 'good guy'? Either way, it's clear that cinema has a power to tap into our complexities and make us feel all sorts of things at once .

Anyway, I'm just sayin', these characters might be despicable, but they're also kinda captivating in their own messed-up ways .