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Top 10 Toxic Male Characters Audiences Romanticize

Top 10 Toxic Male Characters Audiences Romanticize
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VOICE OVER: Jennifer Silverman WRITTEN BY: Ishani Sarkar
From stalkers disguised as romantic leads to manipulative bad boys with pretty faces, let's examine the problematic male characters that viewers can't help but love. Despite their toxic traits, these characters continue to captivate audiences through their charm, good looks, and tragic backstories. Our countdown includes characters from "You," "Fifty Shades," "The Notebook," "Fight Club," "Euphoria," and more! Which of these problematic favorites made you question your taste in fictional men? Let us know in the comments below!

#10: Derek Shepherd

Grey's Anatomy (2005-)


For years, McDreamy was considered the definition of an ideal man. However, as the show has continued, many fans have turned their backs on him. After all, the guy would be quite the nightmare to date in real life. He goes back and forth between Addison and Meredith, cheating on both of them, but tends to be forgiven because were fooled by his charisma. Just because he has the looks and charm of a Casanova doesnt mean he has to act like it! Hes also endlessly condescending and self-important, often leaving Meredith questioning her value. No one needs that kind of toxicity in their lives.


#9: Anakin Skywalker

The Star Wars Franchise (1977-)


No one is denying that Little Ani had a hard life. From spending his childhood as a slave to losing his mother and being consumed by the paralyzing fear of losing Padmé, Anakins transformation into Darth Vader is tragic. However, that does not excuse his behavior. Although he was manipulated by Palpatine, it was his thirst for vengeance that led him to annihilate countless innocent Tuskens after the death of his mother. His massacre of the younglings was even worse, marking a point of no return. In essence, Anakin was teetering on the edge of the dark side long before he became one with it. His grandson, Ben Solo, or Kylo Ren, almost echoes his terrible fate, but thankfully, manages to save himself. (xref).


#8: Spike

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)


We blame James Marsters blonde hair and pretty eyes for this one. In the shows defense, Spike is hardly ever portrayed as a dream man. He is not just twisted in every way possible, but also violent and exploitative toward Buffy. Not even the cast was into their relationship, with Sarah Michelle Gellar admitting that Buffys dynamic with Spike, particularly in season six, was wildly out of character. Still, the bad boy trope must have struck a chord with entranced fans, who rallied behind Spuffy. To this day, the popularity of this couple remains untouched, rivaled only by Bangel a.k.a. Buffy and Angel.


#7: Don Draper

Mad Men (2007-15)


This is another case of a tortured soul turning into a tormentor of unsuspecting women. Don Draper is idealized for his keen understanding of human nature, business acumen, unmatched charm, and persuasive confidence. However, his existence is ultimately hollow as he grapples with his complicated past and a never-ending identity crisis. His philandering ways, substance use, narcissism, and trust issues make him a menace to society. With the power of gaslighting and good looks on his side, he all but ruins the lives of several women. Although he is not entirely without remorse, he can hardly redeem himself.


#6: Chuck Bass

Gossip Girl (2007-12)


The difference between a renegade heartbreaker and a total creep must have been lost on the writers room. Chuck Bass is nowhere close to the dreamboat he is made out to be. Calling his brand of masculinity simply toxic would be an understatement, too. Throughout the show, he is constantly overstepping boundaries with the women around him. He excuses his disregard for their emotions by flashing his wealth, and were supposed to swoon. There are moments where hes downright vile with Blair, but our girl is too enchanted to care about the red flags. At the end of the day, she definitely deserved better.


#5: Nate Jacobs

Euphoria (2019-)


This ones a tall glass of poison. Nate Jacobs is the poster child of destructive machismo that annihilates everything in its wake. From daddy issues to anger problems, violent tendencies that he very often acts on, and a special talent for psychological manipulation, Nates got the whole package. He is unbelievably toxic with Maddy, shatters Cassies self-worth, and blackmails Jules all so he can maintain his illusion of control. Afraid to face his own insecurities, he puts on a smug facade thats way too easy to see through. However, for some reason, fans just cant get enough of him sometimes.


#4: Tyler Durden

Fight Club (1999)


We dont have to support an anti-hero to appreciate how theyre written. Tyler Durden is an alter ego that The Narrator develops in Fight Club out of a need to purge his unconscious desires. He is presented as an icon of anti-capitalism and hypermasculinity, which is what makes him seem charismatic to most. His defiant aura is hypnotizing, until the character resorts to misogyny for the sake of rebellion and meaningless anarchy. It is impossible to look away from him, but not only because Brad Pitts just that dashing. Tylers philosophy is a trainwreck, and his descent into madness evokes a morbid kind of curiosity from the audience. Durdens undoubtedly a fantastic character, but he was never meant to be glamorized.


#3: Noah Calhoun

The Notebook (2004)


This will ruffle some feathers. Noah is the epitome of the first and forever kind of love, after all. However, he exhibited several concerning traits from the very beginning of his relationship with Allie. Given his grand declarations of affection, she hardly has the choice of saying no to his advances. The pair have little in common, although their chemistry is electric, which convinced us they were soulmates. However, we often overlook the fact that he basically pressured her into returning to him by evoking emotions like guilt rather than pure love. They do stay by each others side until the end, but a romance like this would be called a complicated situationship at best by todays dating standards.


#2: Christian Grey

The Fifty Shades Trilogy (2015-18)


Sometimes, you cant help but be drawn to things you know are bad for you. Christian Grey has all the hallmarks of a man you should stay away from at all costs. Somehow he commands a mighty fanbase, who swear hes the most magnetic man theyve ever laid eyes on. His proclivity for alternative intimacy is not the problem, though. It is how he blurs the line between that and abuse in his relationship with Anastasia that irks us. Christian is disturbingly controlling, obsessive, and jealous to a terrifying degree. He can hardly be called loyal or reliable, but thats somehow okay because hes a broken boy who doesnt know any better. Well, as a grown man, he should.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.


Ferris Bueller, Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Hes an Entitled Brat, and Thats About It


Hannibal Lecter, Hannibal (2013-15)

We Were So Busy Looking at Mads Mikkelsen That We Forgot His Character Was a Cannibal


The Phantom, The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

His Selfish Fixation with Christine Led to Some Questionable Choices Mistaken for Romance


Sebastian Valmont, Cruel Intentions (1999)

His Little Game of Lies and Seduction Is Not Cute, Even Though Ryan Phillippe Is


#1: Joe Goldberg

You (2018-25)


Complex villains are always fascinating. So, despite being a literal psychopath who stalks and slays in the name of love, Joe Goldberg had fans melting over his possessiveness. The fact that he was someone who tried and failed to change for the better weirdly endeared him to the audience even more. This misguided admiration got to the point that viewers started inserting themselves as Joes victims in their imagination. The overwhelming desire to be chosen by someone like him could come from a place of wanting to be special. That tells you all you need to know about whats wrong with society. If you must fawn over a toxic Penn Badgley character, go for the hypocritical, holier-than-thou Dan Humphrey from Gossip Girl instead (xref). Similar vibes, but a lower bodycount.


Have you ever thought you could fix these toxic characters? Tell us in the comments down below!

MsMojo toxic relationships problematic characters romantic leads Joe Goldberg Christian Grey Noah Calhoun Tyler Durden Nate Jacobs Chuck Bass Don Draper Spike Anakin Skywalker Derek Shepherd toxic masculinity bad boys anti-heroes fictional characters pop culture television movies romance drama psychological thriller
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