Sometimes, we come across characters that we simply rejoice in loathing. These are the ones who have earned a reputation for bringing everyone together to collectively hate them.
They are so brilliantly written to be hated that you just can’t look away. And while they might bring out the worst kind of frustration in us, we all secretly enjoy every moment. Here are the top 10 characters we all love to hate.
10. Jeremiah Fisher – ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’
Once ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ decided to create the perfect yearning master out of Conrad, the show really dragged Jeremiah through the trenches. He got an entire hate train on social media and became the character everyone loved to hate and compare with Conrad.
We can’t deny that he was a bit of a selfish baby. Sure, every character on that show was flawed. But Jeremiah went beyond any possible reparation and gave everyone collectively the ick.
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9. Vanessa Abrams – ‘Gossip Girl’
The fandom of ‘Gossip Girl’ may be divided on many things, but everyone comes together in collective frustration with Vanessa. She repeatedly interfered in other people’s lives while believing she was always taking the moral high ground.
Vanessa’s judgemental, holier-than-thou attitude combined with all that toxic scheming was simply not it. Even though there were times when we felt bad for her, she never failed to get under our skin.
8. Warner Huntington III – ‘Legally Blonde’
‘Legally Blonde’ needed a very specific type of antagonist, and they hit that mark spot-on with Warner. He is the kind of man we have all encountered somewhere in real life, and the movie nails it by portraying him in the most pathetic but realistic way.
Of course, ‘Legally Blonde’ is an absolute feel-good classic with its chirpy protagonist and an amazing soundtrack. But we can’t deny that collectively hating on Warner was also one of its most enjoyable parts.
7. Frank O’Sullivan – ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’
Another instance where a very specific kind of villain was needed, and the writers hit the mark. Frank O’Sullivan is an archetype very much present in real life, and the show perfectly created a very accurate replica.
He is an absolute menace and incredibly frustrating, but also a symbol of a very real issue. It just feels vindicating to loathe him and watch the squad take him down every single time.
6. Miss Trunchbull – ‘Matilda’
Our collective childhood nightmare, Agatha Trunchbull is exaggerated, ridiculous, but genuinely frightening and the exact kind of villain we wanted to see as kids. That made her downfall even more satisfying.
How the hell was she allowed to do anything she did? We still don’t know, but watching this sadistic, abusive tyrant get chased away by the same defenceless kids she once traumatised was incredibly satisfying.
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5. Tom Scavo – ‘Desperate Housewives’
The perfect example of a manchild and a burden, Tom Scavo is not a traditional villain, but he is just brilliantly written to be infuriating. His selfishness, narcissism, fragile ego, and complete disregard for others are absolutely loathsome.
On top of that, add his constant need to make his wife clean up his messes and his tendency to make everything about himself, and you just can’t stand him. The show knew how to create the perfect character that will get everyone’s blood boiling.
4. The Roy Family – ‘Succession’
Hating the Roy family is a very different kind of love-to-hate than most people in this list. The Roys are just fascinatingly evil, wealthy, damaged and selfish people who just can’t stop making terrible choices.
They ruin lives for fun and profit, treat ordinary people like trash, and despite having billions, still cry when they do not get their way. It is the brilliant acting and razor-sharp writing that makes watching them destroy themselves completely addictive.
3. Criston Cole – ‘House of the Dragon’
Criston Cole has achieved an extraordinary level of irritation from viewers. His bitterness, hypocrisy, entitlement and inability to move on from his wounded pride makes him impossible not to loathe.
He is irrational and constantly blaming others for problems he created himself, while somehow still believing he is taking the high road. It is this self-righteousness that makes his every appearance even more infuriating to watch.
2. Homelander – ‘The Boys’
Homelander is hateable, but in the most entertaining way. He is horrifying, narcissistic, unhinged, and a symbol of pure cruelty. His disgusting hypocrisy, fragile pride and ultimate belief that he is supreme just make him a giant, terrifying baby.
Much of it goes to Antony Starr and his brilliant performance. Homelander is still just so fascinating that you desperately want to see what he is up to next, just to hate him some more.
1. Joffrey Baratheon – ‘Game of Thrones’
Joffrey is probably one of the most universally despised characters. He is petty, cruel, entitled and cowardly – a combination of nearly every terrible quality a person can have. On top of it, Jack Gleeson’s performance is impossible to look away from.
Somehow, every time he was on screen, your blood would start boiling. We all collectively rejoiced when he finally suffered that gruesome yet deeply satisfying death, making his ending so unforgettable.
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