When you're in the mood to root for a complex character
They're flawed, but they're fascinating.
“My demons are not remotely tackled, they're just mildly concussed.” — Camille Preaker, Sharp Objects
Complex characters are just way more interesting to watch. They’re also essential to storytelling — so many of the best films and TV series would not exist without them.
A complex character is often very intelligent and self-aware, but they don’t navigate life easily. They can be troubled, confused, self-loathing, damaged, lost, and even dark. They may make you scream at the screen or shed empathetic tears when you watch them make decisions that will either hurt others, themselves — or both.
We can’t look away when we follow the stories of complex characters because they’re like us. We relate to their humanness, their fumbles, and their conflicts. We feel empathy for them, even if they’re unlikeable or exhibiting “bad” behaviour. Their stories are not usually mood-boosters, but they can be hopeful in the end — and they’re always captivating.
So, to offset your sunny summer days, curl up in front of the screen and dive deep into the stories of these complex characters.
SHARP OBJECTS
You’ll like this if you like: Gone Girl, Big Little Lies, Mare of Easttown, Mystic River
Don’t look away as you watch the HBO miniseries based on Gillian Flynn’s 2006 debut novel Sharp Objects (2018) — or you’ll miss the many visually creative details included by the late Jean-Marc Vallée, the genius director and editor who worked with series creator Marti Noxon to bring Flynn’s book to the screen.
In addition to his creative editing, Vallée was known for using natural light, little or no makeup on actors, and specific music tracks in his films — both on the set to create a mood, and in the final cut to tell the story. Although it moves at a relatively slow pace, Sharp Objects spins a mysterious tale that will have you looking for clues and analyzing every move each character makes.
There are many flawed, complex, and damaged characters in this story, which is set in the fictional small town of Wind Gap, Missouri. Amy Adams plays Camille Preaker, the troubled journalist who returns to her hometown to report on a murder mystery.
![Still photos of actors playing the characters in the miniseries Sharp Objects.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F12909cf3-ae48-45f1-835c-9f156311446f_1182x990.png)
![Still photos of actors playing the characters in the miniseries Sharp Objects.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0f6e7d8-1033-4252-bd25-f340d598f3e0_1512x983.png)
![Still photos of actors playing the characters in the miniseries Sharp Objects.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd8948e2c-45ac-4cf8-905e-58e5f0618052_1802x973.png)
Where to Stream: Crave, Amazon Prime (with Crave Channel)
Where to Rent: Google Play, YouTube
Fun Facts: Led Zeppelin, whose music rights have been famously elusive and expensive, allowed four songs to be played in the series.
This is the second time Amy Adams and Chris Messina worked together — the first being Julie and Julia.
FLIGHT
You’ll like this if you like: The Wrestler, The Fighter, Training Day, Fences
Who’s more complex - the enigmatic Denzel Washington, or the characters he plays?
In Flight (2012), he plays William “Whip” Whitaker, a commercial airline pilot who is both heroic and flawed. Expertly walking the line between the two, Washington gives a compelling performance as a brilliant pilot who struggles with addiction. The film as a whole isn’t perfect, but Denzel’s performance is pretty close to it.
![Still photos of actors who played the characters in the film Flight.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F17409fde-566a-4c5b-b336-6655ed45740d_2020x961.png)
![Still photos of actors who played the characters in the film Flight.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F292f033c-531f-4a51-9f73-5c5cfbc7c198_1497x986.png)
![Still photos of actors who played the characters in the film Flight.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0e68d681-abe4-4cfa-8032-3be5979ad9cb_1880x1003.png)
Where to stream: Amazon Prime (with Paramount+ Channel)
Where to rent: Amazon Prime, Google Play, AppleTV
Fun Facts: Director Robert Zemeckis is also a private pilot. He also directed another famous film featuring air travel: Castaway.
IN CASE YOU’RE IN THE MOOD FOR SOMETHING LIGHTER:
INGRID GOES WEST
You’ll Like this if You Like: The Cable Guy, Promising Young Woman, Black Mirror’s “Nosedive” episode (Season 3, Episode 1), The Talented Mr. Ripley.
Aubrey Plaza is one of the most interesting actors in Hollywood, whose performances range from weird to intense to funny to dramatic. In Ingrid Goes West (2017), Plaza plays Ingrid Thorburn, a young woman who pursues friendships with the seemingly perfect women she follows on Instagram.
Showcasing her acting skills by bringing us the complex character of Ingrid, Plaza will make you laugh, cringe, worry, and feel fear. Although it’s a dark comedy, and in it, Elisabeth Olsen gives an energetic, spot-on performance as the type of “white Instagram woman” Bo Burnham sings about, the film’s subtext offers serious commentary on social media, mental health, and the convergence of the two.
![Still photos of actors who played the characters in the film Ingrid Goes West.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F770a1f40-aab1-4cd9-aee2-090769983b73_1938x1006.png)
![Still photos of actors who played the characters in the film Ingrid Goes West.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2838404d-04c4-4feb-8177-ce5c80f917bf_1920x954.png)
![Still photos of actors who played the characters in the film Ingrid Goes West.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3796da7f-d26c-47f7-acc9-4af616ecbad3_1195x1007.png)
Where to stream: Amazon Prime, Netflix
Where to rent: Google Play, AppleTV
FUN FACTS: Writer-Director Matt Spicer and Writer David Branson Smith won both the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the Sundance Film Festival and the Best First Feature Award at the Independent Spirit Awards for this film, which was their debut.
Unlike her character in the film whose life is documented on social media daily, Elisabeth Olsen doesn’t even have an Instagram account.
Streaming and rental sources listed are limited to the services and websites I subscribe to and/or have access to (in Canada) at the time of publishing. Feel free to search your streaming and cable services for these titles.
These complex personalities sound intriguing! I remember Denzel in Flight- sat on the edge of my seat during that flick! Thanks for more ideas of this type of movies to enjoy.