10 movies where the main character is not the real star

While some movie characters fulfill the narrative role of the protagonist, another character steals the show with charisma and theatrics, Make them the real stars. Movies that support characters are better than the heroes have been just as successful as those that let the central character shine, with a different balance in character focus only making it better. Sometimes, the villain is undoubtedly the real star, driving the entire story when the protagonists are living normal lives.

This is often the case with some of the best animated Disney villains, whose classic villainy still makes them fan-favorite characters. However, this trend is not limited to classic action movies where villains steal the show; Sometimes, A standing character is simply more interesting, written to be the thing that sets the story in motion in the protagonist’s mundane life. How two such characters share the screen and interact with each other is an interesting topic, demonstrating different options for storytelling.

10

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Furiosa, not Max

apparently, Mad Max: Fury Road is another Mad Max movie, but the story is inherently different. at the best Mad Max After a movie, Max is again unwittingly pulled into an adventure of helping someone in need when he is just trying to make it on his own. The difference is that The group of women fleeing Immortal Joe is already led by Furiosa, a capable road warrior Which is more than a match for Max. While Max is seen first, the movie follows her perspective when it suggests in the main conflict.

Rather than being a story about Max wandering around on his own and coming across someone who needs help, fury way is about Furiosa’s vigilante mission, with Max playing a part in it. Although Tom Hardy is great as Max, the fact that he is a recast while Furiosa is an original character makes her the novelty of the movie. fury way Also directed more attention to the female character and women’s perspective of the setting, with Max and Nux being the only brave male characters among Furiosa, the wives and the many mothers.

9

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Hannibal, not Clarice

in theory, The silence of the lambs Has a redundant villain in Hannibal Lecter. Clarice already has a serial killer to track down, which is the foundation of a serviceable horror story. however, The silence of the lambs is such a highly acclaimed psychological thriller because of Clarice’s attempts to pick the brain of one of the most iconic movie villains of all time. Hannibal adds flavor and intrigue to the movie When the story is really about the complexities of his and Clarice’s dynamic.

Of course, the razor-sharp dialogue and Anthony Hopkins’ performance combined mean that the focus is always on Hannibal. Clarice is the average civilian character who is affected by Hannibal’s chile comments; He is the catalyst that gives you something to go on in your investigation. How the supporting cast acts around him also contributes to the weight of his character. Jodie Foster also won an Oscar for The silence of the lambsBut Hopkins is undoubtedly the more memorable of the two.

8

The Fast and the Furious (2001)

Dom, not Brian

Back when Fast & Furious was a much more grounded franchise, The fast and the furious was about an undercover cop forced to question his loyalties when he befriends the prime suspect in a hijacking crime. however, Dom has always had more gravitas as a character than Brian. Dom is the star of the underground racing community in this story, considered the best driver and mechanic in the area. Brian himself gravitates to Dom’s skill and personality.

When a story turns out that the undercover cop is in the wrong, it probably favors the criminal with a heart of gold. Moreover, the found family of Fast & Furious has always been “Dom’s Family,” While the fourth movie onwards continues to focus on him in the center of the story. Brian and Mia finally go on the run after helping Dom escape custody, Who becomes the de facto leader of their group.

7

Aladdin (1992)

Genie, not Aladdin

Traditionally, Genie is played by a more famous actor than Aladdin. When the remake of Live-Action came around, the producers did not try to kid themselves and gave Will Smith top billing. Part of the reason he is such a draw is Robin Williams’ agreement with Disney for Aladdin Thought he was allowed to write and improvise his own dialogue. As a result, Genie is a more gimmicky character who is constantly cracking jokes and adopting pop culture references, Animated to go along with the impressions of Williams.

Aladdin gets two songs while Genie gets one, however Even if “A Whole New World” is one of Disney’s most iconic songs, “Friends Like Me” is much catchier and more of a spectacle. Genie is the more dynamic character, always doing wild stuff on screen to provoke laughter. The live-action movie also frames the movie with Genie (not disguised as a merchant) narrating, implying that the story is about him and the impact Aladdin has on his life.

6

Mean Girls (2004)

Regina, not Cady

Caddy is the main character of Mean GirlsWhile her friendship-rivalry with Regina is what sends her teenage life spinning out of control. Lindsay Lohan would be better known at the time for the teen-focused drama movie genre of Mean GirlsBut Regina George has grown beyond the average mean Queen Bee character in pop culture. As sharpey in High school musical, Regina is so dazzling that she instantly became iconic. Meanwhile, Cady’s character falls into the less interesting “Shy New Girl” Category.

Moreover, the number of quotable lines in Mean Girls Revolving around just mentioning Regina George makes her one of the easiest elements to mention. Any mention of Regina instantly brings to mind the most chaotic high school experience and the worst popular girl possible. Regina is the face of Mean Girls, Embody the superficiality and compassion that is out of control in the story, which gradually comes to define Cady’s personality as well.

5

The Terminator (1984)

The Terminator, not Kyle and Sarah

Arnold Schwarzenegger has always been at the forefront of The Terminators marketing, with Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn as the secondary stars. Schwarzenegger’s Terminator has the biggest presence in the movie, An indestructible killer who is the whole point of the story. He is the reason Sarah and Kyle are constantly moving and the proof that Skynet exists in the future, as well as the title character. Despite Hamilton’s newfound fame and Sarah’s character arc, the T-800 still dominates the story in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

Going forward, Schwarzenegger remains the mascot of the franchise, Despite the varying role he plays in each movie. He overshadows John and Kate Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines And only comes in Terminator Salvation. Although other characters may have more attention in the story in the subsequent two movies, it is still impossible to ignore. Ironically, the Terminator in Terminator Zero is unremarkable, mostly serving as a reason for the action to occur.

4

The Great Gatsby (2013)

Gatsby, not Nick

Nick Carraway is technically the protagonist of The Great Gatsby. Nick tells the story, which begins when he arrives in New York and witnesses the troubled relationship between Jay Gatsby and the Buchanans, Commenting on the frivolity and corruption of their world. At the center of his story is Gatsby, who is the real star because of his title character shrouded in mystery and wealth. in a way, The Great Gatsby is about Nick who is going to unravel the mystery of ​​Gatsby’s life.

It’s hard for a character not to be the star when he’s throwing massive, decadent parties every weekend. again, Nick is only a witness to Gatsby and Daisy’s affair; This plot point is the driving force of the story’s drama, while Nick’s dynamic with Jordan is relatively tame. Finally, Gatsby’s fate and Daisy’s abandonment are the ultimate tragedy in a story that is almost exclusively about him.

3

101 Dalmatians (1961)

Cruella, not Pongo and Perdita

Roger and Anita are pleasantly polite civilians, while their Dalmatians Pongo and Perdita are loving parents-to-be. The characters all have simplistic, realistic aspirations and priorities: pay the bills, take care of their loved ones. There are too many similarities between the dogs and their owners for any of them to stand out. The initial sequence of Pongo looking for a date for Roger draws comparisons between the dogs and their owners, While Anita and Perdita ultimately have the same goals and complementary personalities as their partners.

The lovable banality of all the main characters of 101 Dalmatians is what allows Cruella de Vil to shine as its star. She has the most flair and is the most interesting of everyone on screen, which is a solo act compared to most of the other characters who appear in groups of two or larger. when One of the two songs from the movie is a very catchy jazz number named after her, She is a one-woman show.

2

The Dark Knight (2008)

The Joker, not Bruce Wayne

No part of The Dark Knight has inhabited a bigger place in people’s minds or had a bigger impact on pop culture than the Joker. Heath Ledger’s Joker inspired other performances in the coming years, while The iconic Batman villain is the reason for The Dark Knights history. Bruce Wayne and Harvey Dent get a fair amount of screen time dedicated to great action and discussing the main themes of the movie, but nothing can compare to the mania of the Joker’s machinations.

One of the best opening scenes ever shows exactly what Batman is up against with the Joker’s clever and deadly bank robbery in which he is the only winner. All of The Dark Knights best and most intense scenes have the Joker, How he manipulates the population and major players of Gotham City. Ledger’s posthumously awarded Oscar for his performance cemented his iteration of the character’s place in history, making him the most remembered part of the landmark action movie.

1

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Jack, won’t

Will and Elizabeth are the more traditional protagonists of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The movie begins with Elizabeth as the POV character, while The narrative moves to Will’s immediate goal of saving Elizabeth. Jack’s entrance is not only weird because of the sinking ship gimmick, but because he shows up at an odd point for the main character. This is because he is not the main character in a narrative sense, but a mascot that ties the whole story together and makes it unique.

Over the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise, Jack is flyer and has less defined motivations Like the supporting characters. As in the first movie, Jack serves as an isolated, out-of-this-world character that elevates Will’s normal swashbuckling adventure to something original. In this case, Jack is widely considered the main character of the franchise, and Johnny Depp always gets top billing. However, knowledge of narrative tropes reveals that Pirates of the Caribbean is doing something else.