Top 10 Brainwashed Movie Characters
You may remember them, but their memories are no longer their own. In this video, http://www.WatchMojo.com counts down our picks for the top 10 brainwashed characters in movies.
For this list, we're choosing big screen characters whose minds were altered, either partially or completely, against their wills, and taking into account how important their wiped minds are to the story. There will be spoilers in this list, so continue at your own risk.
Special thanks to our users x x Cookie x x and elsafreezer for submitting the idea on our Suggestions Page at WatchMojo.comsuggest
Top 10 Brainwashed Movie Characters
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You may remember them, but their memories are no longer their own. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 brainwashed characters in movies. For this list, we’re choosing big screen characters whose minds were altered, either partially or completely, against their wills, and taking into account how important their wiped minds are to the story. There will be spoilers in this list, so continue at your own risk.
#10: Miles Monroe “Sleeper” (1973)
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After 200 years in a state of involuntary cryopreservation, Miles is woken up and dropped in the middle of a rebellion he’s forced to fight in. Though he gets out of it, he’s soon captured by the authorities who brainwash him into obedience, but that also means memories of the woman he loves have been wiped clean. Before long, the rebels get him back and reverse-brainwash him, which restores his former memories and beliefs. Miles makes the list not only because of the entertaining results of his brainwashing, but also because he got the treatment twice.
#9: Max Renn “Videodrome” (1983)
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Max is the CEO of a small television station that broadcasts shocking and unique content. After he starts to air a series that shows what he believes are staged killings of human beings, he doesn’t only learn these images are real but also experiences violent hallucinations. It turns out that the “Videodrome” show has altered his mind to see things that aren’t there – and the repercussions are deadly. With stunningly unique visuals and a hypnotic atmosphere, David Cronenberg’s body horror flick is one that’ll stay with you for days.
#8: The Baroness “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” (2009)
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As Ana Lewis, she was the fiancée of main protagonist Duke. But when their relationship ended, she was captured and her mind was altered by nanomites, which led her to take on the persona of The Baroness and join Cobra. Under her new identity, she fights willingly against her former lover and even takes him captive. While the military sci-fi movie wasn’t particularly well-received, the mind-altered Baroness was certainly one of its bright spots; after all, she kicked ass in skin-tight clothing. What’s not to love?
#7: Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014)
At the end of the first “Captain America” film, Bucky Barnes had fallen off a cliff and was presumed dead. But that assumption would come back to haunt the Captain in the sequel. Captured by their enemies, his former best friend has been brainwashed into becoming an assassin who now repeatedly attempts to kill Steve Rogers and his allies. Having their friendship prominently featured in the first film lends this betrayal in the second film a great deal more gravity and impact.
#6: Winston Smith “Nineteen Eighty-Four” (1984)
In a world run by Big Brother where your very thoughts can be considered a crime, Winston spends his days erasing people deemed criminals by the government from history. Despite his job, he still chooses to rebel and this eventually lands him within the clutches of the Thought Police. He undergoes so much torture that his mind is completely broken down and purged of any thoughts of rebellion. Near “1984”’s end, we find Winston sitting in a café and a shell of his former self. It’s a truly sad and affecting moment, revealing the protagonist as someone you can truly empathize with.
#5: Cesare “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920)
In this early silent horror classic, when we’re first introduced to Cesare, he’s being controlled hypnotically by Dr. Caligari and displayed as an attraction in a coffin. Customers are told his continual slumber allows him to know the future, but we find out soon enough that this is the least of Cesare’s problems. Caligari is actually making him kill people while under the doctor’s control. As one of the best and earliest examples of a mind control story on film, “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” is groundbreaking, exceptionally well told and a must for any film buff.
#4: Derek Zoolander “Zoolander” (2001)
“Zoolander” features a protagonist that’s brainwashed through a combination of electric shocks, visuals of Will Ferrell donning various outfits and Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax.” The corrupt fashion executive’s plan is to push the famous fashion model to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia. And if one thing’s certain, it’s how unique this comedy’s take on the brainwashing gimmick is – as it’s packed to the brim with hilarious jokes and memorable scenes.
#3: Douglas Quaid “Total Recall” (1990)
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Audiences were left guessing what is real or what is not from beginning to the end of this science fiction film. It’s 2084, and a construction worker is haunted by dreams of another life and a mysterious woman on Mars. Since he can’t afford to travel there, he gives his mind over to a company that tricks you by giving you fake memories. As a result of the procedure, Quaid discovers that he may or may not be a secret agent who needs to save Mars from the grasp of a corrupt system. A fun ride of action, cool devices and crazy creatures, “Total Recall” is endlessly re-watchable and engrossing.
#2: Alex DeLarge “A Clockwork Orange” (1971)
When we first meet our fearless narrator, Alex is an unrepentant criminal who relishes the fun of violence, sex, women and drugs. His friends have lived under his thumb for too long though and one day, they leave him to get arrested following a woman’s death. While in prison, Alex quickly volunteers for a behavior modification treatment and is released. What he didn‘t realize was that now, even thoughts of sex, violence or his beloved Ludwig Van, will make him overwhelmed by sickness. With Alex, director Stanley Kubrick managed to depict a character with many of humanity’s most reprehensible attributes and yet still have audiences pity him – at least for a little while. Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions. - Indiana Jones “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (1984) - Tron “Tron: Legacy” (2010) - River Tam “Serenity” (2005) - Humanity “They Live” (1988)
#1: Raymond Shaw “The Manchurian Candidate” (1962)
When an American platoon is captured during the Korean War and taken to Communist China, Staff Sergeant Shaw is hailed a hero. In reality, however, he was programmed to follow orders in Manchuria through the use of a Queen of Diamonds playing card, and is now under the control of his very own mother, whose political agenda includes setting him up to assassinate a presidential nominee. With commentary on the Red Scare, “The Manchurian Candidate” is sharp and gripping at the same time. While the 2004 remake was also well-reviewed, it doesn’t hold a candle to this imaginative Oscar-nominated suspense thriller. Do you agree with our list? Who’s your favorite brainwashed movie character? For more film Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
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