32 Toxic Movie and TV Partners You Should Avoid at All Costs!

In every touching, grand, and romantic tale found in storybooks, there’s also an abundance of distressing, harrowing love stories that turn into nightmares. Regardless if it’s on screen or off, too many unsuspecting individuals seeking only companionship and care end up experiencing a life filled with abuse and indifference from the very person they unluckily decided to be with. Here are some key characters in movies and TV shows that you must avoid getting involved with in a relationship.

Caledon Hockley (Titanic)

In a different perspective, one could argue that Rose (Kate Winslet) may not be the ideal girlfriend, or even the most favorable character in the film “Titanic,” due to her immature actions and her involvement in an affair with Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio). Nevertheless, none of Rose’s behaviors warrant the harsh treatment she endures at the hands of her arrogant, elitist fiancé, Cal Hockley (Billy Zane), who displays controlling behavior, dominance, and a violent response to Rose’s relationship with Jack.

Sarah Marshall (Forgetting Sarah Marshall)

In the hilarious 2008 hit romantic comedy, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, character Peter Bretter (portrayed by Jason Segel) doesn’t understand how unsupportive his namesake girlfriend (Kristen Bell) is until after she breaks up with him for rock star Aldous Snow (Russell Brand), whom we learn she was having an affair with. Remarkably, her character as a former lover might even be more problematic due to the way she jealously undermines Peter’s newfound joy with Rachel (Mila Kunis) by attempting to pursue him when they unintentionally book their vacations on the same Hawaiian island.

Ross Gellar (Friends)

Despite the numerous reasons why fans of “Friends” might have supported Ross Gellar (David Schwimmer) and Rachel Green’s (Jennifer Aniston) tumultuous relationship, there are far more instances that illustrate Ross as an undesirable partner. He demonstrates excessive possessiveness when Rachel develops feelings for a charming colleague at Bloomingdale’s, lacks accountability in his infidelity (“We were on a break” remains an unacceptable justification), and persists in being fixated on her even while involved with other women.

Rose Armitage (Get Out)

In the year 2017, the film “Get Out” unveiled one of contemporary horror cinema’s most chilling female antagonists in the character of Rose Armitage (portrayed by Allison Williams). Her seemingly genuine relationship with Chris Washington (played by Daniel Kaluuya) was actually a deceptive ploy to ensnare him into their family’s racially-motivated procedure, which aimed to seize control of his body by a white host. It was revealed that Chris wasn’t the only Black individual subjected to this heinous scheme as depicted in Jordan Peele’s groundbreaking, award-winning directorial debut.

Billy Loomis (Scream)

In the classic slasher movie “Scream” released in 1996, Skeet Ulrich’s character Billy Loomis is far from being an ideal partner long before his true nature is unveiled. He consistently pushes Sidney Prescott (played by Neve Campbell) into intimacy, flirts with other women secretly, and even derides her for not having fully healed emotionally after the murder of her mother just a year prior.

Melissa (The Hangover)

As a movie buff, I can’t forget the character portrayed by Rachael Harris in 2009’s “The Hangover”. Her manipulative behavior towards Stu (Ed Helms) escalated to such an extent that he found himself defensively justifying her controlling nature and, even more troubling, her infidelity. However, things took a turn for the better when Stu, during Doug’s chaotic Las Vegas bachelor party, met and married an exotic dancer named Jade (Heather Graham) in a drunken stupor. This unexpected encounter gave him the courage to confront Melissa and label her as a “rotten person right down to [her] very core”.

Michael Kelso (That ’70s Show)

Jackie Burkhart, portrayed by Mila Kunis in That ’70s Show, isn’t without her flaws – she exhibits signs of vanity and narcissism quite strongly during the early seasons. Yet, despite these character traits, it’s clear that she deserved a better partner than her frequent love interest, Michael Kelso, played by Ashton Kutcher. In reality, they ended up married, but in the series, Kelso demonstrates toxic behaviors such as vanity, narcissism, and being a chronic womanizer who often neglects his responsibilities.

Judith Fessbeggler (Saving Silverman)

In the 2001 comedy “Saving Silverman,” Dr. Judith Fessbeggler (played by Amanda Peet) displays a clear need for therapy herself, given her overly controlling behavior towards Darren (Jason Biggs). She exercises excessive control over various aspects of his life, such as his clothing choices, music preferences, and even arranging cosmetic surgery on his rear end. This extreme interference in his life ultimately leads to the postponement of his friends’ upcoming weddings, Wayne (Steve Zahn) and J.D. (Jack Black).

Martin Burney (Sleeping With The Enemy)

In the 1991 film version of Nancy Price’s novel “Sleeping with the Enemy,” directed by Joseph Ruben, the character Laura Burney, played by Academy Award winner Julia Roberts, endures persistent abuse from her husband Martin (Patrick Bergin). To free herself from this toxic relationship, she stages her own death and flees. Later, after adopting a new persona in Iowa, where she forms a relationship with a local named Ben (Kevin Anderson), she learns that Martin has found her, unwilling to let her break away.

Amy Dunne (Gone Girl)

Initially in David Fincher’s 2014 film adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s hit mystery novel “Gone Girl”, it appears that Nick Dunne (played by Ben Affleck), who is known for his infidelity and emotional distance, might be responsible when his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) mysteriously disappears. However, the reality is that Amy intentionally left and manipulated evidence to make it seem like her husband was guilty, a method that is far from healthy for resolving marital issues.

Jack Torrance (The Shining)

In Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 movie adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Shining,” the marriage between Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) and Wendy Torrance (Shelley Duvall) isn’t picture-perfect before they take up their caretaker roles at the Overlook Hotel. The situation deteriorates drastically when the wicked entities haunting the Colorado resort inspire Jack to transform into a brutal, madman.

Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)

Some dedicated “Gilmore Girls” viewers feel that the series lost its charm due to the prolonged romantic tension between Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) and Jess Mariano (Milo Ventimiglia), a dynamic that some argue went beyond the strained relationship with Dean (Jared Padalecki). This tumultuous romance was just one of several self-centered mistakes Rory made in her relationships, which left many fans of the drama series disillusioned with her character.

Christian (Midsommar)

Ari Aster revealed to Birth.Movies.Death that he intended for his second film, the 2019 release “Midsommar,” to be a film about a break-up inspired by one of his past relationships. Given the tumultuous nature of the central relationship in the folk horror story, this seems quite fitting. By the end of the gripping A24 horror movie masterpiece, it’s hard not to feel a sense of satisfaction as Dani (played by Florence Pugh) watches her unkind, emotionally immature, and manipulative partner Christian (Jack Reynor) perish in flames.

Ginger McKenna (Casino)

As a film aficionado, I can’t help but reflect on Sharon Stone’s character, Ginger McKenna, from Martin Scorsese’s 1995 masterpiece, “Casino.” Ginger certainly ticks many boxes when it comes to an undesirable spouse. Her manipulative strategies, self-centered ambitions, and infidelities make for a troubling portrayal of marriage. But perhaps even more disturbing is her questionable parenting. In a chilling scene, she leaves her daughter bound to a bed while she goes out for a night of clubbing – a stark reminder of Ginger’s failings as a mother.

David McCall (Fear)

1996’s “Fear” serves as a reminder to viewers that sometimes, fathers may indeed have valid concerns about their daughter’s boyfriends. In this movie, character Steven Walker (William Peterson) senses that something is amiss about his daughter Nicole’s (Reese Witherspoon) new beau, David (Mark Wahlberg). His suspicions prove accurate when David, in a chilling turn of events, leaves a trail of blood and orchestrates a horrific attack on Nicole’s family, all in an attempt to possess her exclusively.

Jan Levinson (The Office)

One of the standout episodes of NBC’s The Office, titled “Dinner Party,” provides a fascinating glimpse into the tumultuous relationship between Michael Scott (Steve Carell) and Jan Levinson (Melora Hardin). This pair, who invite their colleagues from Dunder Mifflin over for an unforgettable evening at their condo, are embroiled in a series of arguments. These disagreements, which include Michael’s multiple vasectomies, Jan’s fixation on her assistant (an aspiring musician), and other conflicts, escalate to such a degree that the police become involved.

Nate Cooper (The Devil Wears Prada)

A supportive partner helps their loved one succeed in their job, but Nate Cooper (Adrian Grenier) from the 2006 movie “The Devil Wears Prada” didn’t seem to understand that. If asked, even today, he might admit that his character was immature and self-centered, often criticizing Andy (Anne Hathaway) for her career choices. To make matters worse, when she landed a job at a fashion magazine, he rudely asked if it was done over the phone. Such behavior is unforgivably impolite.

Asami Yamazaki (Audition)

In the critically-acclaimed Japanese horror film “Audition” by Takashi Miike, set in 1999, a widower conducts a fake audition to find a new spouse. Initially, it appears that Ryo Ishibashi’s character is the antagonist. Yet, considering his actions stemmed from genuine intentions, one could argue they don’t justify the brutal, twisted revenge enacted by Asami (Eihi Shiina), his new companion.

Josh (Companion)

In the 2025 sci-fi film “Companion”, it could be pushing it to include Jack Quaid’s character as Iris (Sophie Thatcher) isn’t Josh’s girlfriend in the traditional sense, but rather a sophisticated machine he leased. This revelation makes her understand that the man she believed she loved is actually a pitiful, self-centered, domineering, and aggressive failure. As a result, this helpful robot emerges as the hero of the story.

Lisa (The Room)

In the film “The Room,” released in 2003, Lisa (Juliette Danielle) unexpectedly declares that she no longer loves her future spouse, Johnny (played by Tommy Wiseau who also wrote, produced, and directed), and embarks on an affair with Johnny’s best friend, Mark (Greg Sestero). Despite the movie’s cult status for its illogical plotline, one sincere observation we can draw from this unintentionally hilarious production is that Lisa was wrong to hurt Johnny so deeply.

Nate Jacobs (Euphoria)

One standout feature of HBO’s praised teen drama, Euphoria, lies in its realistic portrayal of familiar character types often seen in today’s high school landscape. For example, Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi), who was previously dating Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie) and Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney), can be likened as a symbol of toxic masculinity and hidden homophobia, almost serving as the epitome of teenage struggles with these issues.

Lila West (Dexter)

Occasionally, it’s mind-boggling to reflect on the fact that one of the most notorious major antagonists from Dexter, Lila West played by Jaime Murray, was once a romantic interest for Michael C. Hall’s title character, Dexter Morgan. In Season 2, when Dexter’s relationship with Rita encounters difficulties, he becomes romantically involved with his rehab sponsor, Lila West. However, as the season progresses, it becomes evident that Lila is a more dangerous sociopath than even Dexter himself.

Alex Le Domas (Ready Or Not)

2019’s “Ready or Not” presents Grace, played by Samara Weaving, as a final girl in an instant horror classic. She unwittingly becomes the focus of her in-laws’ lethal game of Hide-and-Seek – a game that Alex Le Domas (Mark O’Brien) initially attempts to help her flee from. However, once Grace rejects him due to the emotional toll his family’s violent and Satanic tendencies inflicted (which he should have warned her about before marriage), he turns against her and participates in the ritual to sacrifice her. Fortunately, this ritual ends up turning on them instead.

Stacey (American History X)

In the 1998 film American History X, Derek Vinyard’s (Edward Fulong) bond with his girlfriend, Stacey (Fairuza Balk), flourished prior to his three-year imprisonment, where they shared similar views on white supremacy. However, upon his release and his attempts to persuade her to abandon the neo-Nazi ideology with him, she finds his decision irrational, making it a relationship-ending matter. Kudos to him for standing firm in his convictions.

Jeffrey Fecalman (Family Guy)

In an unusual emotional scene from the cartoon series Family Guy, the subject of domestic abuse was tackled when Quagmire’s sister Brenda, played by Kaitlin Olson, appeared along with her abusive partner Jeff, portrayed by Ralph Garman. As they witnessed Brenda endure Jeff’s verbal and physical mistreatment, Quagmire, Peter (played by Seth MacFarlane), and Joe (Patrick Warburton) began to plot a plan to kill him in response.

Mrs. Griffith (Easy A)

In addition to infidelity, Mrs. Griffith, who was portrayed by Lisa Kudrow from “Friends,” also engaged in an affair with one of her students in the 2010 film “Easy A.” This behavior makes her one of the most dislikable characters in that movie without a doubt.

Jason “J.D.” Dean (Heathers)

In the 1988 darkly humorous high school movie classic, Heathers, the character Veronica Sawyer, played by Winona Ryder, develops feelings for J.D., portrayed by Christian Slater. Unfortunately, their romance is shattered when she uncovers his identity as a murderous psychopath.

Meredith Blake (The Parent Trap)

1998’s remake of “The Parent Trap” features Elaine Hendrix as the snobbish, wealth-obsessed, and ultimately villainous potential stepmother to Lindsay Lohan, who portrays twin sisters Annie and Hallie. These mischievous girls continuously play tricks on her, escalating in severity. This provokes Meredith to push Nick (Dennis Quaid) into making a choice between her or the siblings, a decision he makes swiftly by opting for his daughters, a commendable move.

Chuck Bass (Gossip Girl)

It’s quite plausible that the character of Chuck Bass, played by Ed Westwick on Gossip Girl, was among the more endearing figures in the show. However, it’s important to note that this appealing image was a mask concealing his incredibly harmful and misogynistic actions, particularly towards Blair Waldorf, who was portrayed by Leighton Meester and with whom Chuck had a complex relationship that evolved into marriage.

Jenny “G-Girl” Johnson (My Super Ex-Girlfriend)

In most situations, discovering that your partner is a superhero would be quite exciting. But for Matt Saunders (Luke Wilson) in director Ivan Reitman’s “My Super Ex-Girlfriend,” it turns into a nightmare because Jenny Johnson (Uma Thurman), who goes by G-Girl when fighting crime, is demanding, possessive, manipulative, and uses her powers to seek revenge on Matt after their breakup.

Adrian Griffin (The Invisible Man)

Leigh Whannell skillfully transformed H.G. Wells’ classic tale, “The Invisible Man,” into a science fiction take on the thriller “Sleeping with the Enemy” in his 2020 film. The story centers around Cecilia Kass (Elisabeth Moss), who believes that her abusive husband, Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), an optics engineer, has discovered a means to stay hidden and continue tormenting her even after she’s managed to escape their marriage.

Lori (Total Recall)

In the 1992 sci-fi film, Total Recall, Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) discovers that everything he believed about his life is false, including his marriage. Eventually, he confronts and kills the secret agent who posed as his wife, Lori (Sharon Stone). In a witty gesture, he says, “You might want to see this as our divorce.

2025-02-15 22:39