Recently, I stumbled across one of those viral social media videos where someone ranked four infamous movie characters from bad to worst. While I agreed with the premise that all four characters are problematic, I couldn’t help but disagree with their final ranking. So let me set the record straight on how these characters should truly be ranked, from absolute worst (#1) to least terrible (#4).

#1 – Grandpa Joe – Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

The internet’s favorite villain deserves his spot at the top of this list. Sure, calling him a “lazy freeloader” might be a slight oversimplification, but the criticism is absolutely justified. This man spent YEARS supposedly bedridden, forcing Charlie’s overworked mother to take on multiple jobs while the family survived on cabbage water. Yet the moment Charlie gets a golden ticket? Suddenly he’s dancing around like Fred Astaire!

The most damning evidence against Joe is how he pressures Charlie into breaking the rules by trying the Fizzy Lifting Drinks. Charlie, being pure of heart, never would have done this on his own. This single action nearly cost Charlie everything. When confronted by Wonka about contract violations, Joe’s immediate reaction isn’t to accept responsibility but to lash out selfishly, planning to give Slugworth the Everlasting Gobstopper.

Is he truly devoted to Charlie, or is he just a deeply selfish man who saw the factory tour as his ticket to excitement? I’m confident that after returning home, he climbed right back into that bed, never to move again unless another adventure presented itself. Grandpa Joe isn’t just a bad influence – he’s the worst character in this entire grouping.

#2 – Rose DeWitt Bukater – Titanic

From the moment we meet her, Rose is spoiled and entitled. Yes, it’s partly due to her upbringing, and we learn about her family’s financial troubles and her mother’s manipulation. But even as the film progresses and she “lightens up” under Jack’s influence, she remains fundamentally selfish.

Let’s start with her “romance” with Jack. They knew each other for approximately 36 hours. That’s not love – that’s infatuation at best. She may have interpreted her feelings as love, but realistically, they were two attractive people whose hormones controlled their actions for a day and a half. Jack was her escape vehicle, plain and simple.

Then there’s the infamous door scene. Whether Jack could have fit on there with her remains debatable, but she certainly never made much effort to find out.

The most selfish act, however, comes decades later when elderly Rose throws the Heart of the Ocean diamond into the Atlantic. That priceless jewel could have helped her through the Great Depression or set her family up for generations. Instead, she dramatically tosses it into the ocean for… what? Symbolism? Self-satisfaction? It’s the ultimate act of entitlement.

#3 – John Hammond – Jurassic Park

Hammond manages to be both a misguided dreamer and recklessly negligent, but considering his actions ultimately led to multiple deadly incidents across several parks and countless casualties over the years, the negligence factor certainly outweighs his childlike enthusiasm.

His wonder and amazement at his creations don’t mitigate his responsibility – they amplify it. His inability to handle the reality of these creatures is precisely why he should never have been in a position to unleash them on the world in the first place.

Despite his claims that Jurassic Park wasn’t “just for the super-rich,” his true motivations are revealed when his lawyer casually suggests a “coupon day” for regular folks. Hammond’s laughter at this idea exposes where his heart truly lies – with profit, not people.

Even when the park is falling apart and lives are at stake – including those of his own grandchildren – Hammond still seems more concerned about his genetic monsters than human safety. The film may have softened his character compared to the novel (where he meets a fitting end), but it doesn’t make him any less responsible for the disaster.

#4 – Jenny Curran – Forrest Gump

Jenny ranks at the bottom of this list, not because her actions aren’t problematic, but because her backstory provides crucial context. Who knows how differently her life would have turned out if she hadn’t spent her formative years being abused by her alcoholic father? For all we know, Jenny might have been the most well-adjusted of her siblings – which isn’t saying much.

That said, Jenny’s relationship with Forrest is undeniably exploitative. She uses him repeatedly, knowing he loves her unconditionally, while simultaneously accusing him of not knowing what love is – when in reality, Forrest understands love far better than she ever could.

Throughout the film, Jenny consistently puts herself in dangerous situations with abusive men and chooses a life of hardship and drugs under the misguided notion that she’s expanding her horizons. In the process, she repeatedly hurts the one person who couldn’t see a negative thing about her if he tried.

Even toward the end of her life, when she seemingly comes around and returns Forrest’s affections, it’s questionable whether her feelings are genuine or if she’s once again using him – this time to ensure her son has a father after she’s gone. While providing for her child isn’t inherently wrong, it’s just another example of Jenny using Forrest for her benefit.

Forrest deserved better, but Jenny’s traumatic background at least helps explain – if not excuse – her actions, which is why she’s the “least worst” of these four terrible characters.

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It’s worth noting that these characters all exist within the context of their respective films, and their portrayals serve narrative purposes. Still, when ranking them by their moral failings, this order seems most appropriate: Grandpa Joe, Rose, Hammond, and finally Jenny. What do you think? Would you rank them differently?