Top 10 Worst Movie Character Weaknesses of All Time
Script Written by Nick Lester
#10: Marta Vomits When Lying
“Knives Out” (2019)
When a whole murder mystery movie hinges on dishonesty, and you have one character who’s so averse to lying that it makes her physically ill, it doesn’t seem like you’d need a particularly cunning detective to solve the case. But of course, “Knives Out” is anything but your typical whodunit, this Pavlovian reaction to deception actually works and there is a particularly cunning detective around to solve the crime: Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc uses this weakness to his advantage, as he pumps Ana de Armas’ Marta for information. Great work all around, really - but even so, we’d be remiss if we didn’t call it out as a slightly satirical, albeit terrible weakness.
#9: Mr. Freeze Can’t Stand Warmth
Top 10 Worst Family Movies of All Time
“Batman & Robin” (1997)
When a guy’s name is Mr. Freeze, and he looks like Mr. Clean with hypothermia, it makes sense that his weakness might be warm temperatures. But when that same character, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is supposed to be a threatening super villain, capable of giving Batman a run for his money, the plot melts away faster than an icicle in the sun. To be fair, Mr. Freeze’s weakness is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to explaining why this DC film was critically panned. Too bad Gotham’s weather is always so dark and cold looking; if this were Gotham, Florida, Batman wouldn’t even have to leave the Bat Cave to defeat him.
#8: Hancock Can’t Be Next to Another Superhero
“Hancock” (2008)
This 2008 Will Smith vehicle is about a reluctant superhero who struggles with his public image. Things go even further south for Hancock around the time he meets Mary, another superhero, who informs him that they’re the last two of their kind. It’s revealed that Hancock and Mary were once married, and that they can’t be together without losing their powers of immortality. That’s right, they become vulnerable and weak when they’re together. Actually, that’s kinda sweet… we think. Anyway, what’s Hancock’s solution to this conundrum? Go live on the moon. If only, amirite?
#7: Vigo the Carpathian Is Taken Down by Positivity
“Ghostbusters II” (1989)
Who knew a couple of well-placed compliments, infused inside some sort of goo, could take down a supernatural force wreaking havoc on New York City and the world? The beloved Ghostbusters franchise had some spooky figures in it, and probably none scarier than Vigo the Carpathian. But seriously, a sorcerer rising from the dead is significantly less terrifying when you know it can be defeated by a good dose of positive vibes. In fairness, Ghostbusters II didn’t necessarily need to abide by any deep logic, but its main antagonist probably could have benefitted from a more formidable fatal flaw.
#6: Horror Movie Victims Can’t Run Without Tripping
Another Top 10 Horror Movie Villain Weaknesses
All Horror Movies
From Scream to, well, every horror movie that came after it and many that came before, characters just can’t seem to complete the basic motions of running away from danger. At this point, it makes for a pretty cliché end to story arcs, especially when the bad guy isn’t even moving that fast. Seriously, just stay on your feet. We shouldn’t be too hard on these characters though; it turns out even some of Earth’s best and brightest scientists and astronauts can’t get the movement right. Just look at Charlize Theron trying to avoid a crashing spaceship in Prometheus… by running in a straight line!
#5: Pennywise Succumbs to Courage
The Origins of Pennywise
“It: Chapter One” (2017) & “It: Chapter Two” (2019)
This weakness is actually pretty poetic. But come on, a murderous, shape-shifting supernatural force that can be defeated by a group of kids telling it they aren’t afraid anymore?! Doesn’t that seem a little easy? While often taking on the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown, It is a much more sinister entity, who originated from a dark void outside of the universe. So honestly, you’d expect its weakness to be a little more complex or hard-to-reach. But nope, as with Vigo the Carpathian in “Ghostbusters II”, positive vibes rule, man. Well, easy for us to say: we’ve never had to think happy thoughts in the face of a terrifying clown monster...
#4: Achilles’ Heel
“Troy” (2004)
Okay, yes it exists in the Homeric story. And yes, there is an explanation for this character flaw, which involves Achilles being dipped in the River Styx as a baby by his mom. And, okay, this fatal downfall literally spawned a term to describe something or someone with one single, fallible weakness. That all makes it symbolic and legendary, but it’s also famously a weak weakness. That’s kinda the whole point! But when the greatest warrior of all time can be taken down this easily, hey we gotta call it as we see it.
#3: Aliens Are Brought Down by Yodeling
Top 20 Scariest Movie Aliens
“Mars Attacks!” (1996)
It seems like every time aliens invade Earth and wreak havoc, nearly decimating all human life, there’s some simple way to thwart their takeover. The aliens in “War of the Worlds”, for example, just couldn’t handle germs. But “Mars Attacks!” takes this into even more absurd territory, with yodelling. Yes, yodelling. There’s probably some sort of frequency in that particular song that really doesn’t jive with the aliens’ brains, and poof they’re defeated faster than you can say yodelayheehoo. Yeesh, that’s almost as bad as being defeated by a song called “Puberty Love”, like in “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.”
#2: Captain Hook Can’t Stand a Ticking Clock
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“Hook” (1991)
With his diabolical schemes and iron hook, this fierce captain makes for quite a formidable opponent. And his ability to command a band of unruly pirates is something to marvel at. Who would think that such a charismatic villain could be so easily brought to his knees by a ticking clock? In fairness to Hook, he associates the sound with the crocodile that took his hand, since it also swallowed a clock that apparently has a very very long battery-life. But when you see the Captain go to pieces every time he hears tick tock… well, it’s tough not to raise an eyebrow.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Mouse Finbar Explodes When He Eats Cake
“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (2017)
Goblins Are Defeated by Double Decker Baloney Sandwiches
“Troll 2”
Enrico Pollini Is Narcoleptic
“Rat Race” (1998)
Lubdan Is Allergic to Four-Leaf Clovers
“Leprechaun” (1993)
#1: The Wicked Witch of the West Melts in Water
Top 10 Worst Movie Monster Weaknesses
“The Wizard of Oz” (1939)
Her death scene may be iconic . . . but it also raises a LOT of questions. How can a villain so evil and powerful be killed so easily - melting away from just a splash of water? Also . . . what does she drink when she’s thirsty?! Then again, she’s not the first movie villain to suffer aquaphobia. In 1931, Bela Lugosi’s Dracula succumbed to the same weakness. The alien invaders in M. Night Shyamalan’s “Signs” shared the same weakness. What’s so special about water? Like, you gotta admit: once we learn the Wicked Witch’s weakness, doesn’t she get less intimidating? Admittedly though, we ARE still terrified of those flying monkeys.
