A movie protagonist equals a hero. And while that's usually the case that the main character is also a good person, sometimes movies focus on people who aren't very likable or downright despicable. That can be because of their actions or just the way they treat others, often a combination of both of these things.

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Yet despite their lack of morals, some of the most memorable movie protagonists are those who aren't very heroic - simply because they're so complex and different from the heroes the audience usually gets to see in movies. They can also appear in a variety of genres, from a drama movie to a crime story or a thriller.

5 Orson Welles As Charles Foster Kane In Citizen Kane (1941)

Even though Citizen Kane was Welles' directorial debut, many movie fans consider it his best movie. Welles not only directed it but also took on the leading role of Charles Foster Kane, a rich businessman who... dies right in the beginning of the movie. Afterward, the viewers and the reporter Jerry Thompson try to discover what Kane's last mysterious word meant... and in the process, learn more about the man who became rich but managed to drive everyone away.

Kane isn't as bad as other movie protagonists who came after him as she shows a small amount of remorse, sadness, and nostalgia, in other words human emotions, but for the most part, he's so obsessed with money and success he fails to see what's truly important. The complexity of the main character is one of the many reasons why Citizen Kane became a classic and continues to captivate people to this day even though it premiered more than 80 years ago.

4 Oscar Isaac As Llewyn Davis In Inside LLewyn Davis (2013)

Oscar Isaac as Llewyn Davis performing with a guitar

Regardless of what type of movie or a TV series Oscar Isaac appears in, it's easy to rely on him to give a solid performance. Isaac often plays characters in fantasy and sci-fi, such as the mutant Apocalypse in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) or Moon Knight in the recent MCU show Moon Knight. However, he's no stranger to more civil roles either, and Llewyn Davis is one of them.

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He's trying to make his break as a musician but struggles to get along with others around him. It's true that his life isn't easy, but that doesn't change the fact that Llewyn doesn't always treat people the best way. His personality as well as the movie overall make for a memorable watch but if the audience wants to see a protagonist who will cheer them up, Llewyn Davis isn't a good choice.

3 Leonardo DiCaprio As Jordan Belfort In The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

The Wolf of Wall Street

Obsessed with money, power and enjoying his life to the fullest, Jordan Belfort has very little regard for the feelings of others. And why should he when he makes so much money that he can do whatever he wants. The decadency of his lifestyle will keep the viewers hooked in, but it doesn't change the fact that Jordan Belfort isn't a very relatable, let alone likable protagonist, at least not for those who lead vastly different lifestyles.

Martin Scorsese doesn't shy away from portraying every aspect of Belfort's life, regardless how personal it might be. The story is difficult to believe at times, at least until the audience learns that it was inspired by the real Jordan Belfort's memoir. Leonardo DiCaprio in the leading role gives yet another unforgettable performance, and it's thanks to him that it's fascinating to watch what Belfort does next, even though he's not a sympathetic person.

2 James McAvoy As Bruce Robertson In Filth (2013)

Filth 2013 James McAvoy

Those viewers who are accustomed to seeing James McAvoy play the hero, the good guy, are in for a shock when they watch this movie. Detective Bruce Robertson is determined to get a promotion, and he doesn't care if he has to step over his colleagues or manipulate them in order to achieve his goals. He also discriminates other people, treats them with disdain, thinks only of himself, and if that wasn't enough, he's an addict. In other words, he has many facets to his personality but none of them is positive.

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Bruce Robertson is the type of person that's fascinating to watch in a movie but that no-one would like to meet in real life, let alone find out that this person is a member of the police force that should, by all rules, protect people. In the end, the movie's title quite accurately describes Bruce Robertson as a person. The movie is a must-watch not only for McAvoy's fans (since he gives an excellent performance) but also for those who loved the movie Trainspotting (1996) since both movies are based on the work of the same author, Irvine Welsh.

1 Jake Gyllenhaal As Lou Bloom In Nightcrawler (2014)

Nightcrawler-2014

When ambition meets lack of morality, that's where Lou Bloom comes in. Jake Gyllenhaal gives strong performances no matter whether he plays the hero, the villain, or something in between. If Nightcrawler was told from another person's perspective, Lou Bloom could easily be the villain. But since he's the protagonist of this story, it's difficult to fit him in a single category. Lou is ambitious, intelligent and manipulative as he pursues his dream job of crime scene and accident photographer.

And since he doesn't shy away from photographing things other people wouldn't stomach, he quickly becomes successful. It's difficult to relate to someone with this type of behavior, who sees people as objects to be used, but that doesn't make Lou Bloom's character any less complex. Nightcrawler is one of the best thrillers of the 2010s and leaves a strong impression. It also has the power to make the audience think about the power of media and how quickly it could cross the line between right and wrong.

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