Top 10 Movie Characters Hated For Stupid Reasons

“Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” (2004)
Harold never hurts anyone, but his non-confrontational personality seems to attract bullies. He’s pushed around by his co-workers, who manipulate him into doing their work over the weekend. He’s tormented by the neighborhood douchebags. He gets harassed for jaywalking by a racist cop. A drugged-up and incredibly horny Neil Patrick Harris steals his car. And even his best friend treats him with disrespect - using Harold’s scissors to manscape. In short, Harold is a massive pushover, and everyone knows it. Luckily, he eventually grows a spine and stands up for himself - to the horror of his co-workers, and the delight of Kumar.

“Me, Myself & Irene” (2000)
There are pushovers, and then there are people that even the pushovers use as doormats. Charlie is possibly the friendliest man in existence, yet he’s frequently treated like utter crap. After his wife cheats on him with their wedding limo driver, she leaves Charlie with her triplets. The town sees him as a spineless joke and treats him with contempt - knowing full-well that he won’t stand up for himself. He’s even told off by a little girl, for crying out loud. But even the nice guys can only withstand so much scorn before they snap - which is exactly what happens Charlie develops another personality to help out.

“The Hangover” (2009)
While we’re on the subject of pushovers, we can’t forget Stu. The admittedly dorky dentist is the object of constant ridicule, and often taken advantage of. Phil calls him a pejorative term that we can’t repeat here; he’s manipulated into paying for the expensive villa; and he’s constantly ragged-on for being a dentist. And that’s to say nothing of his pathetic home life with his controlling girlfriend, Melissa. He’s so whipped that he even defends Melissa for cheating on him! Stu seems like a perfectly nice guy, but he’s treated like total garbage.

“Hot Fuzz” (2007)
Poor Nicholas is hated by damn near everyone around him - just because he’s good at what he does. He’s moved out of the London Metropolitan Police Service because he arrests too many criminals. He’s dumped by his girlfriend Janine because he cares so much about his job. And when he gets to Sandford and starts investigating suspicious deaths, he’s resented by his colleagues for . . . well, investigating suspicious deaths. The poor guy is disliked just because he’d rather do police work than eat cake and drink beer. Sure, he’s a little…intense and humorless, but wanting to catch a serial killer doesn’t warrant disrespect.

“Meet the Parents” (2000)
Everyone is nervous about meeting their partner’s parents. But fortunately, most fathers aren’t retired CIA operatives who hook their prospective son-in-law up to a lie detector. Pam’s family takes an instant dislike to Greg, insults him for being a nurse, and intentionally causes him as much anxiety as possible…just because. Sure, Greg makes a few missteps on the way . . . like breaking Debbie’s nose and spilling Jack’s mother’s ashes. But these were freak accidents! And to make matters worse, his girlfriend never stands up for him. Greg is a good dude just trying to be liked, yet Pam’s family craps on him for no reason.

“Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (1999)
Jar Jar Binks is a special case. Not only is he hated in-universe, he’s detested in the real world as well. But hear us out here! Sure, Jar Jar is clumsy, ridiculous, and often clueless. But these are also characteristics that should make him at least somewhat sympathetic to the characters around him. After all, all three are generally outside of his control. Yet no one is having it. Qui-Gon calls him “brainless”, and his own people banish him for being accident-prone. Yes, he did help Palpatine’s rise to power, but he was shunned and ignored LONG before that. The poor guy was just trying to help.

“Cinderella” (2015)
Characters don’t get much more sympathetic than Cinderella. The rags-to-riches story of Cinderella has been endlessly retold over the years, but that doesn’t make the 2015 live action version any less distressing. Ella is treated appallingly at home by her stepmother and stepsisters, forced to do every single chore amid a shower of insults. She’s even made to sleep by the sooty fireplace - hence the nickname “Cinderella.” Of course, there’s no real method to the madness. Lady Tremaine just hates that Ella is courageous and kind, and wants to break her spirit.

“Full Metal Jacket” (1987)
Marine Drill Instructor R. Lee Ermey famously wrote much of his own dialogue for the role of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. The object of this character’s worst abuse is Marine Corps recruit Leonard Lawrence. Given the nickname “Gomer Pyle”, Lawrence is dressed down for being overweight and unintelligent. When Lawrence indulges his appetite by smuggling in a donut, the result is collective punishment and a particularly violent blanket party at the hands of his fellow recruits. He’s treated so poorly that he eventually snaps and commits murder-suicide. The story of Leonard Lawrence is undoubtedly one of film’s greatest tragedies.