Movies are only as great as the characters driving their plots. Some movies offer unique characters with entertaining journeys, epic battles, and, notably, a compelling character development. Other movies turn their greatest characters into something completely outlandish, forgettable, and downright unnerving to digest by the finale. Here are 20 movies where the character development was ruined by the ending.
Call Me By Your Name (2017) - Oliver
Call Me By Your Namehas many touching moments between Elio and Oliver. From their friendship, then relationship, blossoming to every moment of tenderness between the two, this couple won over audiences by their final goodbye, that is, until Oliver calls Elio months later.
In a jarring confession, Oliver discloses that he is getting married, leaving Elio to contend with the meaning behind their entire relationship as he looks into a fireplace, teary-eyed. While the scene cements Timothée Chalamet as one of the most talented actors of his generation, it also destroys Oliver’s character arc. Oliver ends the film as a detached character who has no qualms breaking Elio’s heart one final time.
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Bros (2022) - Bobby
Broshas some compelling character developments during its two-hour runtime, notably Aaron. Aaron starts the story as an emotionally conflicted man whose only outlet is nightclubs and random hookups. Upon meeting Bobby, Aaron learns to embrace a softer side, becoming vulnerable and ultimately accepting his sexuality unabashedly while pursuing his actual passions.
Had Aaron been the protagonist inBros, this would have been an excellently written main character; instead, it’s Bobby that audiences are meant to root for and follow on his journey, it’s his story. Bobby remains a one-dimensional character through and through, refusing to take accountability for his faults, disregarding others feelings (including Aaron’s), and takes a victim mentality during every single argument or obstacle he encounters. Bobby is the most insufferable character in his own movie.
Scream 6 (2023) - Gale
Gale Weathers hasn’t always been known for her moral compass. She is often self-serving, manipulative, and borderline conniving. That noted, Gale made a huge character shift inScream(2022). Following the death of her ex-husband/ best friend, Dewey Riley, Gale is bent on unmasking Ghostface and serving justice for the only person she has ever truly loved. Once Gale manages to help take down Amber, she promises not to write about her most recent Ghostface experiences in another bestseller.
ComeScream 6,Gale hasn’t just written another bestseller, she has put Sam Carpenter in a villainous light, describing her in the book as a killer through birthright. Gale’s book once again perpetuates a slew of public scrutiny for those involved in a Ghostface killing, this time,it’sScream’snew titular final girl, Sam Carpenter.Scream 6erases what was a compelling character arc for Gale Weathers, five movies in the making.
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) - Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker. Yikes. How could the original hero of theStar Warsfranchise be turned into what audiences got inStar Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi? Luke was known for being an active character; he takes action. FromA New HopetoReturn of the Jedi, Luke is driven by his desire to protect his friends and redeem his father, Anakin.
By the timeTheForce Awakensunfolds, Luke is nowhere to be seen. Once Rey finally locates him, Luke approaches her abrasively, at first refusing to train her, and lastly, refusing to help Leia and the Resistance fight the First Order. Luke’s shift to a passive character makes him uninteresting, and borderline insulting to the framework established by Lucas and Hamill in the originalStar Warstrilogy.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Rose is a promising character inThe Last Jedi. Driven by her principles, sense of duty, and honoring her sister’s memory, Rose joins Finn and BB-8 on their mission to deactivate The First Order’s tracker on the Resistance’s base. Rose fights for, delegates with, and leads the group more often than not, making her one of the most interesting additions in theStar Warssequel trilogy.
Nonetheless, Rose takes an unexpected shift inStar Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker. Now in a commanding role among The Resistance, one would think that Rose would have had a more active role in the last installment; instead, she has a handful of dialogue and reacts to Poe, Finn, Leia, and Rey’s actions, with very little input or action taken from her end. Rose is relegated to a background fixture when she could have had a dynamic character arc inRise of Skywalker. What a waste.
Spider-Man 3 (2007) - Peter Parker and Mary Jane
The relationship between Peter and Mary Jane has been an up and down rollercoaster sincethe firstSpider-Man. From becoming friends inSpider-Man, their first kiss, Peter rejecting Mary Jane’s love, and vice versa, until Mary Jane discovers Peter’s alter ego, this is one of the most tumultuous romances depicted in a superhero franchise. By the end ofSpider-Man 2, Mary Jane decides that she wants to be with Peter, regardless of the risks; this is arguably the most cathartic ending to aSpider-Manmovie, with Peter finally getting his payoff after countless sacrifices.
ComeSpider-Man 3, their relationship takes a turn for the worse. From cheating, to verbal abuse, and emotional neglect, Peter and Mary Jane indulge in their mistreatment of one another. To end what could have been a flawless trilogy this way felt like a disservice toSpider-Manfans, and to Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, considering the dedication they invested into their respective roles.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3 (2023) - Gamora
Peter Quill and Gamora are another MCU pairing that has had a rather tragic relationship. From their constant bickering inthe firstGuardians of the Galaxyinstallmentto their budding romance and eventual relationship by the end ofGuardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2, this couple was fire! ComeAvengers: Infinity War, Gamora meets her untimely demise when Thanos sacrifices her to retrieve the soul stone.
By the events ofGuardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3, Peter is still mourning Gamora’s death when he comes across Gamora from a different universe. Some would think that the same pattern would repeat itself and that Gamora would eventually come around to the idea of dating Peter Quill, but no. Instead, this alternate universe Gamora is set in her hardened ways and, for the most part, views Peter Quill with contempt. For a character that was the secondary leader to the Guardians, seeing Gamora leave the group by the end ofGuardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3felt like a wasted character.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) - Cyclops
Just like so many other characters in theX-Menuniverse, Cyclops is one that got the short-end of the deal when it comes to his development. It was interesting to see him play off his dynamic with Jean Grey and Wolverine, and navigate the inner turmoil he felt as he saw Wolverine vying for Jean’s affection. Cyclops' character goes through a significant loss when Jean sacrifices herself to save the X-Men by the end ofX2: X-Men United.
By the events ofX-Men: The Last Stand, audiences expected to see Cyclops as a beaten man trying to rebuild his life after losing Jean, but instead, he is killed in the film’s opening act when Jean resurfaces as Phoenix. Cyclops' entire character development was discarded in favor of getting a gratuitous emotional reaction from audiences.
Dark Phoenix (2019) - Jean Grey
Unfortunately, this is the second-time Jean Grey’s character has been mishandled. After Jean’s death inX-Men: The Last Stand, fans anticipated that this new incarnation of Jean would have a better character arc; after all, she handled Apocalypse with ease inX-Men: Apocalypse.Dark Phoenixpromised to showcase Jean’s true potential as she ascended into her alter ego, Phoenix. While Jean proved to be a force not to be reckoned with while in Phoenix mode, she ended her character development the same way the previous Phoenix did, through self-sacrifice.
Avengers: Endgame (2019) - Thor
Thor has gone through one of the most interesting (and heartbreaking) character developments in the MCU. From being an arrogant warrior banished to Earth inThor,learning to make amends for his mistakes inThor: The Dark WorldandThor: Ragnarok, to lastly, going through significant losses inAvengers: Infinity War;Thor’s been through the ringer!. By the opening ofAvengers: Endgame, Thor is broken, but nonetheless, a redeemed hero that has given up everything for the greater good of the universe. Then, Thor just gives up. For the remainder ofAvengers: Endgame, Thor serves as the comedic relief and bud of many jokes. What an insulting use of such a strongly developed character.
