We don't generally like anti-heroes because they often don't possess any redeeming qualities. We didn't want to include characters that do things purely for self-gratification, because there is a difference between self-expression and selfishness. We see anti-heroes more as people who do something reprehensible or even commit horrendous acts, yet retain some part of their humanity and vulnerability. Therefore, you might not find some of the more famous anti-heroes from this list. We had to share the #1 spot 'cause both of those characters are so good and very different as well.
1. Catwoman in Batman Returns. What can we say about this woman that we haven't already expressed? She's our favourite character from any superhero film we've come in contact with (and we've seen all the major ones) and Michelle Pfeiffer plays the hell out of this character. In addition, she's in charge of her sexuality, an active subject (much like Kate Bush in The Sensual World), instead of just being an object to ogle at.
3. Kagura in Inuyasha. We continue to be embarrassed by our 90's anime past (apart from Trigun), but HOT DAMN if she is not the best thing to come out of it. For some reason, anime is full of bratty teenagers and Kagura is a refreshing deviance from all those lovesick schoolgirls. She manages to be delightfully snarky and rude, especially considering that she is, in fact, a slave. Her sole objective is to be free (which we related to as repressed teenage girls). The creator treated her like shit, though. Which is something that she has in common with our next entry.
7. The Punisher in Daredevil. Right, we don't read superhero comics, so we have no stake in how superhero material is adapted to the small and big screens. We actually wound up liking his character the best in this whole show, though we have enjoyed the series in general as well. He brings much needed contrast and moral dilemmas for the protagonist of the show, without turning into a villain. You sympathise with this man's tragic past, while simultaneously being horrified by some of the things he does.
9. Marnie in Marnie. In Marnie's case, much like with the Punisher, it's her past which transforms her into an anti-hero. This film though, does not lack in characters devoid of human decency (we're looking at you, rapist husband played by Connery). In the end, she probably became less of an anti-hero, since she began moving forward from her childhood trauma. Although she is a thief and a liar, you sympathise with her motivations much better once you find out about her past.
1. Catwoman in Batman Returns. What can we say about this woman that we haven't already expressed? She's our favourite character from any superhero film we've come in contact with (and we've seen all the major ones) and Michelle Pfeiffer plays the hell out of this character. In addition, she's in charge of her sexuality, an active subject (much like Kate Bush in The Sensual World), instead of just being an object to ogle at.
1. Michael Sullivan in Road to Perdition. Man, what a departure for Tom Hanks this movie was. This was the first time we saw him play a character whose place in the good vs bad - spectrum is ambiguous. Leave it to Tom Hanks to make a morally compromised assassin one of the most sympathetic protagonists of modern cinema. His altruism, in contrast with his ruthlessness, is baffling.
4. Milady in The Musketeers. We've already introduced her in length in a previous list, so there's no need to say anything more than that she kicks ass, in every sense. The reason why this didn't turn into a four-way-tie for 1st place, is because we were incredibly disappointed with the hand that both Kagura and Milady were dealt by their creators. Not to mention both of these characters deserved to be in much better series.
5. Longbaugh and Parker in The Way of the Gun. We couldn't separate the two, because they're a package deal. The movie wouldn't work with only one of them. What makes these two particularly intriguing, is that they have their own singular moral code which they follow. Although they are cold-blooded killers, they still possess some form of compassion and desire to protect those weaker than them.
6. Lady Susan in Love & Friendship. She's probably the most eccentric on this list, not only because she doesn't steal, maim or kill anyone but also she's a truly unique Austen creation. She's a ton of fun and such a bitch. But, by God, what an enjoyable bitch she is! Her redeeming quality would have to be her sense of humour since she pretty much puts her ego first. This is the kind of woman who could've been content with her life during Austen's time period.
7. The Punisher in Daredevil. Right, we don't read superhero comics, so we have no stake in how superhero material is adapted to the small and big screens. We actually wound up liking his character the best in this whole show, though we have enjoyed the series in general as well. He brings much needed contrast and moral dilemmas for the protagonist of the show, without turning into a villain. You sympathise with this man's tragic past, while simultaneously being horrified by some of the things he does.
8. Vito Corleone in Godfather Part II. We admit, we are not big fans of this trilogy, mainly because we don't really connect with the characters or the story, apart for the younger version of Vito Corleone. And that has lot to do with the actor who's playing the character. He is very good portraying calm and collected people, who have their own set of ethics. This character, though sharing some similar qualities with Michael in Road to Perdition is decidedly more cold-blooded and ambitious. Also, altruism is a foreign concept to this guy.
9. Marnie in Marnie. In Marnie's case, much like with the Punisher, it's her past which transforms her into an anti-hero. This film though, does not lack in characters devoid of human decency (we're looking at you, rapist husband played by Connery). In the end, she probably became less of an anti-hero, since she began moving forward from her childhood trauma. Although she is a thief and a liar, you sympathise with her motivations much better once you find out about her past.
10. Napoleon in Assault on Precinct 13. He's the most superficially introduced character here, since the film is so short and action-driven. Still, he comes across as a pretty cool personality and provides the best one-liners in the movie. What makes him interesting is that he is a death-row convict who has killed people for some undisclosed reasons, yet he accepts the consequences of his crimes and is still willing to help others.
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