Everybody loves a feel-good ending. But sometimes, the characters who get them just don’t seem to have earned them. Whether they’ve made poor choices, hurt others, or just plain old messed up, these characters somehow manage to wiggle their way into a happily ever after that they don’t really deserve.
It’s not that we want these characters to suffer (well, maybe some of them), but rather that their happy endings feel unearned or even downright frustrating. They’ve caused so much trouble, and yet they still get their happily ever after? It just doesn’t seem fair.
Of course, there’s always the argument that everyone deserves a second chance, and that’s certainly true. But there are some characters who have done some pretty terrible things, and it’s hard to justify their happily ever after when they haven’t really made up for their wrongdoings.
Related:5 Happy-Seeming Unhappy Endings
So, without further ado, let’s dive into our list of movie characters who didn’t deserve their happy endings.
9Jordan Belfort inThe Wolf of Wall Street
Leonardo DiCaprioplays Jordan Belfort inThe Wolf of Wall Street, was a smooth-talking stockbroker who scammed his way to the top using illegal and unethical tactics. The film, directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the memoir of the same name by Belfort, follows the rise and fall of Belfort’s Wall Street career and the excesses of his personal life. His lavish lifestyle and eventual redemption at the end of the film feel unearned given his questionable tactics.
8Tom Ripley inThe Talented Mr. Ripley
Tom Ripley, played byMatt Damonin the 1999psychological thrillerThe Talented Mr. Ripley, is a manipulative and calculating con artist who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. The film, directed by Anthony Minghella and based on the 1955 novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith, follows Ripley as he assumes the identity of a wealthy friend and becomes embroiled in a web of deceit and danger. As a murderer, it’s hard to root for a character who is willing to go to such extreme lengths achieve his desires. His actions throughout the film are deplorable, and his eventual happiness feels undeserved.
7Sierra Burgess inSierra Burgess is a Loser
Sierra Burgess, played by Shannon Purser in the 2018 Netflix filmSierra Burgess is a Loser, is a high school student who finds herself in a complicated situation when she is mistaken for someone else and begins a relationship with Jamey based on a lie. While Sierra may have had questionably good intentions in the movie, it’s impossible to make peace with her happily ever after with Jamey when she has been dishonest with him from the start.
6Andie Anderson inHow to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Andie Anderson, played by Kate Hudson in the 2003 romantic comedyHow to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, is a writer who sets out to prove that she can make any man fall in love with her in just ten days. The film, directed by Donald Petrie and based on the book of the same name by Michele Alexander and Jeannie Long, also stars Matthew McConaughey as Benjamin. While the film’s premise may becute, Andie’s actions throughout the film are less than admirable as she intentionally tries to drive Benjamin away to win a bet. It’s hard to root for a character who is so manipulative, and Andie’s happy ending with Benjamin feels unearned.
5Ron Weasley inThe Harry Potter Series
Rupert Grint plays the character Ron Weasley in theHarry Potterfilm series. Ron, as the entire world knows him, is a member of Harry Potter’s friend group and a skilled wizard in his own right. While Ron may have had his moments of bravery, he was often overshadowed by the other characters and was not always the most likable. It’s extremely difficult to justify his happy ending with Hermione when he has been such a dim-witted and jealous character throughout the films.
Related:Harry Potter: 17 Times Hermione Granger Saved Harry and Ron
4Troy Maxson inFences
Troy Maxson, played by Denzel Washington in the 2016 filmFences, is a former baseball player who is struggling to come to terms with his past and provide for his family. While Troy does end up reconciling with his family at the end of the film, his infidelity and the way he damages his son’s career are difficult to forgive.
3Jim Preston inPassengers
Jim Preston, played by Chris Pratt inPassengers, is a passenger on a spaceship who wakes up from hibernation 90 years too early and finds himself alone on the ship. When he meets Aurora, played by Jennifer Lawrence, he decides to wake her up as well so that he won’t have to live or die alone. While Jim and Aurora do end up falling in love, their relationship feels a little unfair on Aurora’s part as she is essentially trapped on the ship and manipulated by Jim into falling in love with him. It’s hard to justify their happy ending when the circumstances of their relationship are so questionable.
2Melanie Smoother inSweet Home Alabama
Reese Witherspoon plays Melanie Smoother in the 2002 romantic comedySweet Home Alabama. Melanie is a successful fashion designer who returns to her small hometown in Alabama to seek a divorce from her husband and confront her past. While Melanie may have had a cute southern charm, she was overall a pretty terrible person and made selfish and irresponsible decisions throughout the film.
1Nate inThe Devil Wears Prada
Nate, played by Adrian Grenier in the 2006 comedy-dramaThe Devil Wears Prada, is the boyfriend of Andrea Sachs, played byAnne Hathaway, who is an aspiring journalist working as an assistant to a demanding fashion magazine editor played by Meryl Streep. Nate is a terrible, unsupportive boyfriend who constantly gaslights Andrea for being ambitious and tries to hold her back from her dreams. The way he gets a happily ever after with Andrea is absolutely unfair when he has been such a negative influence on her throughout the film.
