10 toxic movie partners that went under the radar

We as viewers often look up to certain qualities of a particular character in a movie and try to incorporate the same in our own lives. But when it comes to relationships, it's not recommended to mimic the characteristics of the characters shown to be in a relationship. There are times when we fail to realize that whatever we see on-screen is not in any whatsoever a reference point for relationships existing in the real world.

While some on-screen partners set unmatchable standards for people in the real world, others could have unavoidable negative characteristic features, which can often mislead the innocent viewer, if not addressed properly with appropriate repercussions.

Here is a list of 10 toxic movie partners that went under the radar.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Readers’ discretion is advised.

---

Amy in Gone Girl (2014)

In the movie, Gone Girl, directed by Gillian Flynn, Nick and Amy Dunne’s, marriage is an absolute sham, wrapped up in manipulation, deceit, and a power struggle. Amy Dunne, played by Rosamund Pike, orchestrates a scheme to frame her husband for her sudden but fake disappearance. She has been fleshed out as a cunning and manipulative woman who would go above and beyond to maneuver every situation to her advantage. She gaslights Nick to an extent wherein he starts questioning his perception of reality.

Amy is motivated by her need to be in control and exact revenge against Nick’s infidelity. She uses her pregnancy to trap Nick into continuing their marriage. Amy’s character is an ideal representation of the textbook definition of the words ‘psychopath’ or ‘sociopath.’

---

Sid and Nancy in Sid and Nancy (1986)

In the 1986 film, Sid and Nancy, directed by Alex Cox, the plot revolves around an extremely destructive relationship to the point that in some social groups, the phrase “fighting like cats and dogs” has been justly replaced by “fighting like Sid and Nancy”. The film is an appropriate representation of a doomed celebrity relationship accompanied by an extreme case of addiction which gave rise to a need for emotional co-dependency. It was abusive at best and Sid exhibited aggressive tendencies which led to Nancy admitting that she was getting beaten up by Sid.

The couple had a weird affinity towards self-mutilation which further highlights their self-destructive natures as individuals. They were both facilitating each other’s toxic behavior, and the relationship ended with Nancy’s death and Sid’s subsequent death from a case of drug overdose. The ending is tragic yet not surprising considering the toxic nature of their relationship.

---

Mr. Big in Sex and the City (2008)

In Sex and the City (2008), the premise is set on Carrie and Mr. Big planning their lavish wedding, and Big is often seen being dismissive and even going to the extent of using the word "circus" to describe the kind of wedding that Carrie plans on having.

Carrie’s friend Miranda is having marital problems and when she runs into Big and starts talking about her issues, she unknowingly dissuades him from going through with the wedding. Big was already unsure about getting married and wasn’t particularly excited about all the fuss around it. His anxiety gets intensified upon his sudden run-in with Miranda, getting an extreme case of "cold feet" and instead of communicating with Carrie about the way he feels, he chooses to abandon her on the day of the wedding, leaving Carrie to feel humiliated and heartbroken.

---

Dean in Blue Valentine (2010)

In Blue Valentine, Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams play the roles of Dean Pereira and Cindy respectively. The romance Cindy and Dean once shared has fizzled out and takes more than just good looks and manliness to impress her, for she is not a young girl anymore. Cindy struggles with getting Dean to quit drinking and find a job that he would enjoy doing.

While most people would paint Cindy out to be cynical and defensive, all she expected from her husband was to be more responsible and less of a so-called "alpha male." Dean was emotionally abusive too, he threatened to jump off a bridge until Cindy told him what was bothering her. The toxicity lies in Dean’s failure to bring about actual change or to put an effort to grow along with Cindy in their relationship instead of expecting her to live on without expecting the bare minimum.

---

Joel and Clementine in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 romantic sci-fi movie, starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet. Joel and Clementine (played by Carry and Winslet respectively) exhibit traits of a toxic couple wherein, Clementine is depicted as someone having extreme mood swings and facing difficulty in expressing their clandestine emotions. She is someone who seeks intense relationships and deals with extreme abandonment issues.

Joel on the other hand is an emotionally distant, commitment-phobic person and he ends up creating distances and conflicts. Joel’s decision to erase his memories of Clementine, instead of addressing them highlights his flawed characteristic trait and reluctance to find a substantial solution for the underlying issues.

---

Alex in Fatal Attraction (1987)

In Fatal Attraction, Glenn Close’s character, Alex Forrest exhibits traits like obsessive behavior, stalking, and threats to name a few after getting involved in a brief affair with Michael Douglas’ character, Dan Gallagher. Alex’s inability to accept Dan’s decision to end the relationship highlights her obsessive behavior.

Alex follows Dan and his family, showing up at their residence inciting a sense of fear in Dan’s mind. Alex even goes so far as to threaten Dan’s family, including his wife, Beth. She goes above and beyond to make Dan feel guilty for her actions by using her charm, so she could feel in control. Alex’s lack of a sense of boundaries happens to be one of her many signature toxic traits.

---

Frank Wheeler in Revolutionary Road (2008)

The 2008 film, Revolutionary Road, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet is the brainchild of Sam Mendes, presenting the reunion of the stars of the iconic movie, Titanic. It is an adaptation of the book by Richard Yates by the same name. The relationship between Frank and April Wheeler’s relationship can be best described as toxic, manipulative, and lacking empathy.

Frank has an extremely controlling nature and tries to influence April’s life choices and her career decisions. He gaslights April into questioning her sanity and sense of judgment. Frank as a husband is overly jealous and possessive, and resorts to controlling April when she decides to explore her desires.

---

Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate (1967)

This 1967 movie starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft, is about a college graduate named, Benjamin Braddock, who is desperately trying to avoid any questions regarding his future plans. His life takes an unexpected turn when he gets seduced by Mrs. Robinson, a bored housewife and a friend of his parents. The situation gets awkward and destructive when Benjamin ends up falling for Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, Elaine, played by Katherine Ross.

Mrs. Robinson resorts to using her feminine charm to entrap Benjamin and take control of his will, she exploits Benjamin’s vulnerability and uses him to fulfill her needs and desires. Mrs. Robinson has no sense of empathy, for Benjamin or even for her own daughter. She fails to ever form a genuine relationship with Benjamin owing to her controlling issues and toxic behavioral traits.

---

Ben Sanderson in Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Directed by Mike Figgis, and starring Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue, Leaving Las Vegas is an adaptation of a novel by John O’Brien, by the same name. The plot revolves around an alcoholic screenwriter, Ben Sanderson, who drinks himself to oblivion in Las Vegas. Ben meets the beautiful prostitute, Sera, and they venture on the journey of an unconventional relationship. The relationship is so toxic, that Sera doesn’t even know how to ask Ben to curb his drinking.

Ben has been depicted as a person who is suicidal, alcoholic, and of a co-dependant nature. His alcoholism is the source of his unhappiness and it causes trouble for him, negatively impacting his relationship with Sera. He fails to take responsibility for his actions and refuses to seek help to cure his alcoholism even when Sera pleads with him for the same.

---

Jack Chambers in Don’t Worry Darling (2022)

Starring Harry Styles and Florence Pugh, the plot follows a couple, living in Victory, a 1950s idealized experimental company town that houses men working on a top-secret project. While the husbands go to work, the wives stay at home and enjoy the beauty, luxury, and debauchery of their seemingly perfect lives. Alice played by Florence Pugh starts getting flashes of something dark and sinister lurking below the surface, and she can’t help but question her state of existence.

Jack, her husband, exhibits several toxic traits, and like most men in the community goes above and beyond to control his wife and bind her to the confines of this make-believe world. He dismisses her suspicions and forces her to comply with him. When the truth finally comes to light, Jack instead of taking ownership of his blunder, tries to justify his actions and expects Alice to stay back with him.