While there will always be naysayers for any movie, plenty of films are considered by the general masses to be perfect. Yet, some movies are given the perfect label with a slight caveat: they have one character many fans can't stand. Sometimes, these are just brief moments, and other times, viewers are stuck with a protagonist they must look past to enjoy an otherwise flawless production.
These 10 movies still managed to make an impact, and when putting aside a single character, they can be seen as perfect. The movies are worth your time; just be prepared for one minor, sometimes major, annoyance.
10 Ruby Rhod The Fifth Element (1997) Close
Looking back at The Fifth Element, it is hard to fully convey how unique and impressive it was in the '90s. Now a sci-fi classic, the film was touted on release for its visual prowess, world-building, and intelligent script that blended genres. This has led to the film being revered, and while the sci-fi has evolved, it has become a pivotal film in the genre's history. Additionally, the cast here is phenomenal...with perhaps the exception of Chris Tucker as Rodney Rhod.
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Release Date May 2, 1997 Cast Bruce Willis , Gary Oldman , Ian Holm , Milla Jovovich , Chris Tucker , Luke Perry Main Genre Action
This is not a dig at Christ Tucker, as he delivered what you would expect of Christ Tucker. His intro comes out of nowhere in a sci-fi landscape that is so impressive in building a futuristic world. It is a cacophony of noises and an offputting personality that screams onto the screen. Audiences have been able to overlook this to enjoy the movie still, and some have even come around to the character, but for many who only saw the film once, this performance sticks out, and not for good reasons.
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9 Barbara Night of the Living Dead (1968) Close
George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead defined the modern zombie genre, turning the undead into a menacing force of flesh-eaters used as a metaphor to explore deeper themes. Even decades after its release, the film remains a classic, with its grander social commentary and shock value that has not diminished with time. For many, it has become an annual tradition, a movie that succeeds despite having an annoying character, Barbara.
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Release Date October 4, 1968 Director George A. Romero Cast Duane Jones , Judith O'Dea , Karl Hardman , Marilyn Eastman , Keith Wayne , Judith Ridley Main Genre Horror
Barbara starts as the implied protagonist, but after her first run-in with the dead, she goes into a catatonic state, and the narrative shifts to Duane Jones' character, Ben. Throughout the movie, she is useless and hinders the rest of the cast trying to survive, as she cannot help with the simplest tasks.
However, one can view Barbara as embodying the horror of the situation, and her constant fear is just a reminder of the severity of the dead rising. She may be annoying, but she fits into the story enough that it can be overlooked.
8 Jimmie Dimmick Pulp Fiction (1994) Close
Pulp Fiction gained cult notoriety and helped launch Quentin Tarantino's career to new heights; it is arguably the best action movie of the '90s. This came from the inventive non-linear storytelling, sharp and witty dialogue that became heavily quotable, memorable characters (notably Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta), and its stylish blend of humor and gritty action. However, like many other Tarantino works, the director had to insert himself as an actor.
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Release Date September 10, 1994 Director Quentin Tarantino Cast John Travolta , Samuel L. Jackson , Tim Roth , Amanda Plummer , Eric Stoltz , Bruce Willis Main Genre Crime
While not all of Tarantino's features are made equal, you will find few who challenge the fact that he is a master of creating exciting homages to genre films of the past. His acting, on the other hand... It is almost always painful.
While we could have picked any of his appearances -- Django Unchained springs to mind -- the clever dialogue of Pulp Fiction lands so flat under the performance of Tarantino that it just becomes insufferable. Thankfully, his appearance was brief; any more coffee talk and fans would have tuned out entirely.
7 John Connor Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) Close
It is a close call between which is the better film, Terminator or the sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, with fans slightly favoring the sequel. Regardless, the amping up of the action sequences, the innovative special effects, and the continuation of the franchise's lore make Terminator 2: Judgment Day one of the best sci-fi sequels of all time. This is despite it having one of the most divisive characters in the franchise, Edward Furlong's John Connor.
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Release Date July 3, 1991 Director James Cameron Cast Arnold Schwarzenegger , Linda Hamilton , Edward Furlong , Robert Patrick , Earl Boen , Joe Morton Main Genre Action
It is not all bad for John Connor; his representation of hope for the future against machines is a solid concept; Edward Furlong's performance itself is not particularly bad, and for younger audiences, it gave them a potentially more relatable character.
However, on the flip side, his emotional outbursts and flippant attitude made him annoying to many. Perhaps the biggest argument is how much the character takes away from others; Sarah Connor being downplayed for the sequel still feels like a misstep decades later.
6 Duckie Pretty in Pink (1986) Close
John Hughes helped define teenage struggles in the '80s with a series of smartly written scripts or directed works that became instant classics; The BreakfastClub, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Sixteen Candles, and Weird Science are synonymous with '80s teen dramas. While Hughes did not direct Pretty in Pink, the movie still has his authentic exploration of that coming-of-age and characters that instantly have viewers hooked.
Pretty in Pink (1986) PG-13 Where to Watch streamrentbuy
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Release Date February 28, 1986 Director Howard Deutch Cast Molly Ringwald , Harry Dean Stanton , Jon Cryer , Annie Potts , James Spader , Andrew McCarthy Main Genre Comedy
Not everything ages well, and Duckie has become a character many find annoying to the movie's detriment. Pretty in Pink was originally going to end with Duckie getting the girl (Andie), but it tested so poorly that they had to change it. This largely boils down to his controlling behavior, which seems more obsessive; he tries to manipulate Andie throughout.
Beyond his actions, there was a lack of chemistry, with his nice-guy shtick being painfully obvious and awkward to try and establish a romance. If it were not for 'Duckiegate' changing the script, Pretty in Pink would likely never have reached the same deserved popularity it has to this day.
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5 Willie Scott Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) Close
Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom has a slightly mixed legacy among the fandom. While it was part of the original, beloved run of films before the disastrous attempted relaunches, some regard it as the best because of its slightly darker turn, which is more on par with the series' pulp fiction origins.
Regardless, the entry in the series has a large fanbase and, to many, is considered a perfect movie. That is, except for Kate Capshaw's performance of Willie Scott, who had one of the most hated screams in all of cinema.
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Most naysayers of the character will point to her grating personality, including excessive screaming and complaining about superficial things like her hair and nails. Compared to Marion in Raiders of The Lost Ark, Willie is materialistic and mostly useless at aiding Indy. Some think she evolves as the movie progresses, and others have stated she gives a more realistic portrayal of how someone would react in such scenarios.
Still, there is a more negative emphasis on the almost universally disliked character. Kate Capshaw certainly endeared herself to director Steven Spielberg, as the two would marry shortly after, in 1991.
4 Mr. Yunioshi Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) Close
Mr. Yunoshi is certainly not unique. In previous decades, the portrayal of Asians throughout Hollywood's history was tumultuous at best, with many insensitive and awkward characters; the same can be said for many minorities. Yet, it sticks out here for a few reasons, one being that Breakfast at Tiffany's is a classic and quintessential romance movie of the '60s and one of Aubrey Hepburn's best.
A beautifully realized tale of self-discovery dealing with complex themes and deep characters is stripped of the 'timeless' label due to a very ill-advised, racist portrayal.
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Release Date October 6, 1961 Director Blake Edwards Cast Audrey Hepburn , George Peppard , Patricia Neal , Buddy Ebsen , Martin Balsam , José Luis de Villalonga Main Genre Comedy
The movie will also resonate a bit past those disconnected from the '60s romance genre, as this scene was brought back to light in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story. It is a turning point in the autobiographical film when Lee's partner brings him to a theater to watch a movie. The scene of Mr Yunoshi yelling from the top of the stairs comes on, and while she laughs, she looks over and sees the utter disappointment on his face.
For modern audiences, the best we can do is point to the obnoxious and insulting character as a product of the time and enjoy the rest of the movie, which is impeccable. In an otherwise perfect film, Mr. Yunoishi is a sad reminder of past mistakes.
3 Neo The Matrix (1999) Close
With groundbreaking visual effects and a smartly scripted dystopian sci-fi thriller that bent and made many question reality, The Matrix has become ingrained in culture; the blue or red pill scene is still referenced today. All this made The Matrix the perfect film to see in the theater, with the mind-blowing nature of the story and effects winning a cavalcade of dedicated fans. Yet, one element, Keauna Reeves as Neo, was a bit more complex when considering the audience's reaction.
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Release Date March 30, 1999 Director Lilly Wachowski , Lana Wachowski Cast Keanu Reeves , Laurence Fishburne , Carrie-Anne Moss , Hugo Weaving , Gloria Foster , Joe Pantoliano Main Genre Action
The Matrix is highly quotable, but it can be hard to say if this is good or bad. Reeve's delivery of lines like "I know Kung-Fu" borders on playful homage among fans to mockery by others. Reeves, as Neo, would also come under more criticism as the franchise progressed, with later entries feeling heavy and forced compared to his more youthful and energetic portrayal in the original.
In The Matrix, Reeves found the balance needed to make the character work, but one can't help but feel that the role teetered on being annoying to a fault.
2 Samuel The Babadook (2014) Close
The Babadook is one of those horror films that emerged from the height of the "wonderful slow-burn" versus "not scary" arguments dominating online horror fandom discourse. The movie was either loved or hated, but with time and the rise of A24 in creating a slew of perfectly crafted slow-burn horror films, The Babadook is mostly looked back on as a masterpiece.
It is a tale of a mother slowly declining into madness as she envisions a dark character from a book coming to life; many felt she had plenty of reason to go insane with her son Samuel.
Babadook R Release Date May 22, 2014 Director Jennifer Kent Cast Essie Davis , Noah Wiseman , Hayley McElhinney , Daniel Henshall , Barbara West , Benjamin Winspear Main Genre Horror
Samuel's chaotic behavior may be vital in building up the story within The Babadook. Still, certain scenes, like his freak-out in the car, where he screams at the top of his lungs, test the patience of many viewers.
To some, the film's climax was a welcome reprieve from having Samuel front and center of Essie Davis's troubled mother, Amelia. Would you rather spend the weekend with the Babadook or take care of Samuel? The fact that the question is tricky to answer shows the movie succeeded despite how 'extra' the young actor was.
You can stream The Babadook on Netflix, AMC+, or Shudder
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1 Jenny Curran Forrest Gump (1994) Close
Spanning a rather remarkable lifetime of the titular fictional character, Forrest Gump touched on various themes and historical events with many fascinating and eccentric characters. The movie became a cultural phenomenon for its performances and heartfelt and highly emotional approach to storytelling. Tom Hanks's Forrest Gump remains a beloved character, but his partner, Robin Wright's Jenny Curran, has seen a lot of scorn from audiences.
Forrest Gump PG-13 Where to Watch streamrentbuy
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Release Date July 6, 1994 Director Robert Zemeckis Cast Tom Hanks , Robin Wright , Gary Sinise , Mykelti Williamson , Sally Field , Rebecca Williams Main Genre Drama
There are some odd theories about Jenny, including the implication that she may have passed on Aids to Gump Jr. But pushing those aside, her abandonment of Gump irked many viewers. Others feel she was underdeveloped, with Gary Sinise's Lieutenant Dan coming across as much more empathetic for having also dealt with past trauma.
Many fans find her an annoyance, though there are vocal defenders of Jenny as well. Regardless, at worst, Jenny is a blight on an otherwise perfect film and, at best, misunderstood and underdeveloped.
