8 Beloved Movie Characters Who Turn Out To Be Toxic As You Watch Them Closely

We are obsessed with shows and movies as they take us on a journey that we may never experience in our real lives. We idolize the characters and aspire to be like them. We get so wrapped up in these fictional worlds that we overlook their flaws and focus on their strengths, thinking they possess qualities that we lack.
But, hold your horses, folks! Before you go around idolizing these so-called "heroes," you might want to take a closer look. Because when you dig a little deeper, you might be shocked to find out that they're not as heroic as we thought they were. In fact, they might be the bad guys in disguise!
Here are eight examples of popular heroes who somehow turned out to be toxic. Now, we are not here to stop you from liking anyone, but hey, it’s fun to change your perspective sometimes. Beware, this is going to be a wild ride!

#1 Noah Calhoun (The Notebook)

Source: © The Notebook / New Line Cinema

This romantic movie made us all believe in true love, but if we look closely, we'll see that Noah and Allie's relationship was not exactly healthy. Sure, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams made the characters look incredibly attractive, but their love story had some serious red flags.
Noah used threats to get Allie to go out with him, and they fought almost every day, creating a scene in front of other people. He even became obsessed with her during their breakup, refusing to take responsibility for his actions and always dramatizing things.

#2 Albus Dumbledore (the Harry Potter franchise)

Source: © Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire / Warner Bros.

Albus Dumbledore is undeniably a great wizard and a strong leader. He always put Hogwarts' reputation first and was willing to defend it at all costs. However, there's a darker side to him that we can't ignore.
Dumbledore was a master manipulator who used people's emotions to achieve his own goals. He knew a lot more than he let on, making Harry Potter jump through countless hoops to get the information he could've easily disclosed.

#3 Rose (Titanic)

Source: © Titanic / Twentieth Century Fox

Sure, the love story between a high-society girl and a poor young man was captivating, but there's a lot to unpack here. Rose wasn't happy with her life, but instead of taking control and standing up for herself, she went along with the flow and agreed to marry a man she despised. She even considered ending her own life.
When she finally found love with Jack, she didn't think about her fiance's feelings and ultimately faked her death to escape her responsibilities. Instead of being honest and starting a new life on her own terms, she chose to hide.

#4 Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City)

Source: © Sex and the City / Darren Star Productions

Carrie is often seen as a fashion icon and a symbol of independence. She has a great career, a buzzing social life, and a beautiful apartment. But if we take a closer look, we'll see that Carrie is a selfish character who often only cares about herself.
She needs her friends to listen to her, but she doesn't reciprocate. She builds toxic relationships with her boyfriends and cheats on them. Carrie may feel guilty, but that doesn't excuse her behavior.

#5 Edward and Jacob (The Twilight Saga)

Source: © The Twilight Saga: Eclipse / Summit Entertainment

The love triangle in one of the most popular romantic stories of the 21st century may seem like a dream come true. But a closer look reveals a different reality. Edward and Jacob, the two supernatural suitors of Bella, often act more like rivals than admirers. They manipulate her emotions, control her every move, and even stalk her without her consent. It's hard to see any real love or respect in their behavior towards her.

#6 Daniel Hillard, a.k.a. Mrs. Doubtfire (Mrs. Doubtfire)

Source: © Mrs. Doubtfire / Twentieth Century Fox

While Robin Williams' portrayal of Mrs. Doubtfire may seem heartwarming and entertaining, the character's actions are quite disturbing. Imagine a divorced father who goes to extreme lengths to get closer to his ex-wife and children, including stalking and deceiving them with a fake persona. He even resorts to unethical tactics like lying and sabotage to win them back. It's hard to justify his actions as anything other than creepy and manipulative.

#7 Gatsby (The Great Gatsby)

Source: © The Great Gatsby / Warner Bros.

The character of Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby is not as idealistic and romantic as portrayed in the movie. His love for Daisy, a woman he dated in the past, is a painful obsession. He resorts to breaking the law to accumulate wealth and throws lavish parties to attract Daisy's attention, without considering her feelings.
He becomes so consumed by his love for her that he forgets to appreciate the simple things in life.

#8 Ross Geller (Friends)

Source: © Friends / Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions

Ross is often seen as a kind, clumsy, and socially awkward "good guy". However, his behavior is not always as admirable as it seems. Despite being the only one in his group of friends with a Ph.D., he can come across as arrogant and overconfident, and tends to think he knows everything.
Ross often portrays himself as a victim and tries to protect his fragile ego by trying to prove he is better. He can sometimes hurt others' feelings without even noticing.