10 TV characters who are walking red flags - but would still be on your lock screen

The Vampire Diaries | Image Via: The CW
The Vampire Diaries | Image Via: The CW

It is a delightful paradox that we are often drawn to TV characters who are filled with red flags. It is inexplicable. These characters are charismatic. These brooding characters have a tendency to cause chaos. They are fiercely independent souls. They leave a trail of broken hearts in their wake.

Despite this, they can captivate the viewers even with their flaws. These characters operate in a grey area. Though they are manipulative and prone to making questionable decisions, they also possess qualities that get us hooked.

They have sharp wit and undeniable charisma that makes us root for them even when we know that they are wrong. So, let’s talk about the 10 TV show characters who make our moral compass clash with our guilty pleasures. They would most definitely be on the lock screens of our phones.


10 TV characters who are walking red flags - but would still be on your lock screen

1) Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries

The Vampire Diaries | Image Via: The CW
The Vampire Diaries | Image Via: The CW

Damon Salvatore, with his smirk and charm, has the utmost capability to slither right into our hearts. From the very first moment he appears on the screen, he has claimed a huge amount of attention. He brings forth a mysterious yet scary aura about himself. He is impulsive and has extremely violent tendencies. Though Ian Somerhalder has truly done a commendable job in bringing forth Damon’s character, it is hard to ignore his charm.

When we think about the things Damon has done since he transformed into a vampire, we are often faced with the question of morality. He is a flawed character. He compelled people and revelled in the trouble that he created. Initially, all he wanted was to cause trouble for his brother Stefan.

His manipulative tendencies and problematic behaviour cannot stop the viewers from getting intrigued by him. He has an undeniable allure about himself. It keeps the viewers captivated and makes excuses for his toxic behaviour time and again.


2) Chuck Bass in Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl | Image Via: CW
Gossip Girl | Image Via: CW

Chuck Bass is a type of character who would make us clutch our pearls one moment, but then the very next moment would make us swoon with his over-the-top gestures. It is an emotional rollercoaster. Despite the evident red flag nature that he has, he has an undeniable charm.

This charm makes the viewers ignore all the glaring red flags he has. He treats women poorly and is extremely manipulative. He has trust issues and has a complicated relationship with his family. One moment, he toys with Blaire’s feelings, and the very next, he does something that makes us get awestruck.

The thrill in the danger and unpredictability of such a character makes him compelling. Ed Westwick has brought forth a captivating intensity in Chuck’s character, which makes it hard to ignore. He is the [roof that sometimes the most captivating characters are the ones with both flaws and charm.


3) Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos

The Sopranos | Image Via: HBO
The Sopranos | Image Via: HBO

One of the most complicated characters in The Sopranos is Christopher Moltisanti. His impulsiveness and his struggles with drug addiction manifest in the form of numerous red flags.

He has a penchant for violence as well. However, despite his red flags, he has a certain edgy energy that many find intriguing. He is a constant source of chaos. Hence, we can appreciate the intensity and the drama that surrounds Christopher Moltisanti from a distance through our lock screens.


4) Dexter Morgan in Dexter

Dexter | Image Via: Showtime
Dexter | Image Via: Showtime

The blood spatter analyst with a penchant for ending the lives of murderers is truly one of the most intriguing characters. His ability to always slip through the radar of the justice system is nothing but extraordinary. Even though he is a dangerous character, he has the ability to draw the viewers in.

Dexter’s struggles are a fundamental part of his character. Even though he is emotionally stunted and fakes his way through relationships, he has a certain allure about himself. It makes us empathize with his character. He has the ability to form relationships by carefully constructing deception. Throughout the series, the viewers have rooted for him as he escaped the authorities. Even when we acknowledge the red flags, we are still intrigued by his character.


5) Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal

Hannibal | Image Via: NBC
Hannibal | Image Via: NBC

A connoisseur of human flesh, Hannibal Lecter is a terrifying character. To say that he has red flags would be an understatement. He literally eats people! Yet the strange pull viewers often feel towards this character is undeniable. He is cultured, articulate, and has the ability to manipulate people with utmost perfection.

He appreciates art, and on the exterior, he can be as intriguing as any other good-looking character. The blend of intellectual sparring and mutual understanding between Hannibal and Will in the series is yet another factor that draws the viewers in. Mads Mikkelsen’s portrayal is remarkable. He has portrayed Hannibal as the villain with uniquely compelling features that get under our skin in a way that very few are able to do.


6) Nate in Euphoria

Euphoria | Image Via: HBO
Euphoria | Image Via: HBO

If a walking red flag had a face, then it would definitely have the face of Nate Jacobs from Euphoria. He has a long list of toxic traits that make him truly one of the most negative characters of the show. However, the allure of the negative aspects always draws people in. Even though he is a walking red flag, he is physically attractive and has an undeniable charm.

It can be attributed to Jacob Elordi’s portrayal. Let’s be honest, those brooding stares and the intense energy can be intriguing. Even when we know that he is a classic bad boy, the intensity draws us in. The way he behaved with Maddy, Jules, and even the other characters can cause intense emotional damage.

He is the type of person our best friends warn us about. Yet the exterior beauty is enough to make him lockscreen worthy. Even if our better judgment knows it is a terrible idea.


7) Elijah in The Vampire Diaries

The Vampire Diaries | Image Via: The CW
The Vampire Diaries | Image Via: The CW

Though Elijah might not look as toxic as some of the other characters in The Vampire Diaries, he does have some of the most questionable traits. He is capable of immense violence. His loyalty to his family often makes him do questionable things. Despite knowing the right and wrongs, he can be selfish when his family is concerned.

He does not care about the well-being of others. He has often betrayed the trust of people who have relied on him. Though he possesses an allure to be lockscreen-worthy, he is a red flag. Though there are moments when we see Elijah’s pain, his longing for connection, and his attempts to be better, it does not tally with his questionable actions. The viewers are often drawn to his appeal as a flawed character. Daniel Gillies has done a commendable job in portraying his character with nuance and perfection.


8) Dean Winchester in Supernatural

Supernatural | Image Via: Kripke Enterprises
Supernatural | Image Via: Kripke Enterprises

Though Dean possesses the rugged charm that makes the viewers get easily captivated, he does have some questionable attributes about his character, which make him a red flag. He has a bad boy charm, which, despite his red flag attributes, can be appealing.

He is emotionally unavailable and is impulsive. He has a tendency to bottle his feelings up. Instead of taking on the route of healthy communication, he often resorts to sarcasm and deflection. Though the sarcasm can be funny, it is not a good means to communicate one’s feelings.

He is also prone to violence. Apart from the emotional red flags, he has an unhealthy lifestyle as well. He is constantly relying on beer and has a string of fleeting romantic encounters. Jensen Ackles has done a commendable job in portraying such a complex character. Even though he has red flags, his charm is irresistible, making him lock screen worthy.


9) Chrollo in HunterxHunter

Hunter x Hunter | Image Via: Madhouse
Hunter x Hunter | Image Via: Madhouse

The leader of the Phantom Troupe has some of the most questionable traits that can be harmful. Yet his charm is undeniable. It is a fascinating paradox that is rooted in his complexity as a character. Hunter x Hunter has given the viewers numerous nuanced and complex characters with intense character development plotlines.

Among these characters, Chrollo is definitely at the top segment of the list. He orchestrates heists and manipulates others. One of the most negative aspects of his nature is his chilling disregard for lives. He does not care about the lives of anyone other than his inner circle. Though the fascination for a character with such complexity is intense, it can be hard to ignore his red flags. Yet he is definitely worthy of being on our lock screens.


10) Toji Fushiguro in Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen | Image Via: MAPPA
Jujutsu Kaisen | Image Via: MAPPA

Toji is self-serving and has a tendency to cause chaos. Yet his undeniable magnetism makes him lock screen worthy. He is a mercenary, working purely for his own good. He is ruthless and will take on any job as long as it is paid well. He does not care about the well-being of others.

His assassination of Riko Amanai is still one of the most traumatising moments of the series. Yet even after all the questionable and immoral things he has done, his strength is undeniably attractive. His physical appearance exudes a certain level of indifference, which can be captivating.

The tragic element of his character also adds to the overall intrigue. He has suffered because of the lack of cursed energy. Even though he is a morally grey character, he embodies a certain kind of freedom. He is driven by his own desires and is not bound by societal expectations.


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Edited by Zainab Shaikh