The only thing more widely celebrated than a hero is a martyr. Sadly, not everyone can make it to the end. In most cases, some must die so that others may live .
Such is the case with these examples of 10+ movie characters who really didn’t deserve to die.
Many are heroes, some are villains, but all deserved better than what they got.
Captain Miller in *Saving Private Ryan*.
I think now is a good time to point out that while Saving Private Ryan is a monumental film on the topic of WWII, the plot is completely ludicrous.
You’re telling me that the U.S. government would risk the lives of eight soldiers just to save one? I don’t think so.
Paul Maclean in *A River Runs Through It*.
This was a movie that I never understood until fairly recently. Of all the period pieces, A River Runs Through It may just be the best.
Paul was the most good-natured, optimistic man that ever was. He deserved more than the butt-end of a revolver.
Boba Fett in *Star Wars: Episode VI – Return Of The Jedi*.
Boba Fett was without a doubt one of the most beloved Star Wars characters of the entire canon.
Whoever thought it was a good idea to send him careening into the Great Pit of Carkoon only to be eaten by the Sarlacc, needs to have their head checked.
Randy Meeks in *Scream 2*.
What’s your favorite scary movie? For my money, it’s Scream and Randy is a big reason as to why. He was the mage, the wise wizard, the one who always knew what was lurking around every corner.
It made his death all the more shocking and surprising when the knife came down upon him.
William Wallace in *Braveheart*.
I understand that it was the death of William Wallace that united the clans, thus inevitably winning them the war against England. But it doesn’t make the sacrifice any less heartbreaking.
May you find peace in the great beyond, William.
Billy Costigan in *The Departed*.
I have such conflicted feelings surrounding The Departed . On the one hand, it’s truly one of the better crime drama/thriller/mystery films in recent decades.
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But the sudden, abrupt, and pointless death of Billy Costigan had me fuming. It kind of made the whole film feel pointless.
Jenny Gump in *Forrest Gump*.
OK — I need to be quick because if I think on this one too hard, I’ll start crying my eyes out.
Jenny’s entire life, she was abused, molested, and taken advantage of. She and Forrest deserved peace and happiness, not heartbreak and loss.
Charles Xavier in *Logan*.
Charles Xavier always saw the good in everyone, even when it wasn’t easy to see. Watching as X-24 mercilessly impaled him with an adamantium claw was too much to bear.
Charles deserved a hero’s death, instead, his life was brutally extinguished.
Charlie Graham in *Hereditary*.
So the Jury is still out on whether or not Charlie was the first embodiment of Paimon .
But regardless of her evil potentiality, no one deserves to go out as she did. Let this be a warning to always keep your hands and arms (and head) inside the car at all times.
Samantha in *I Am Legend*.
Old Yeller has nothing on I Am Legend when it comes to undeserved deaths! Samantha saved Robert’s life and it was crushing seeing her slowly become infected.
No one should ever have to say goodbye like that.
Nancy Thompson in *A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors*.
“One, two, Freddy’s coming for you…”
I get the heeby-jeebies just thinking about that sadistic nursery rhyme!
On the one hand, it’s clear that the franchise was trying to close a door on the past and open a window to the future. But did they really have to kill off their principle-character in order to do so?
Freddy Newandyke aka ‘Mr. Orange’ in *Resevoir Dogs*.
I’m just going to come right out and say it: Resevoir Dogs is Quentin Tarantino’s best picture. Period.
Freddy Newandyke was a young cop who was just trying to make a difference. Watching him die cold and alone on the floor of a warehouse was undeserved.
Donnie Darko in *Donnie Darko*.
Did Donnie die? Was it all just a dream? Are we living in some parallel universe? All of these are great questions and after watching the film upwards of 20 times — I still don’t have an answer.
I can tell you that no teenage boy deserves to be made a martyr. No matter how noble the cause.
Natasha Romanoff in *Avengers: Endgame*.
As far as “good deaths” go, they don’t get much nobler than Natasha Romanova. Not only did she help restore the world in one fell swoop, but she also saved the life of her longtime partner, Clint Barton.
Can we get this woman a statue?
The Iron Giant in *The Iron Giant*.
The Iron Giant is the Rodney Dangerfield of animated films: it gets no respect!
Humanity didn’t deserve to be saved, yet The Iron Giant did it anyway — without hesitation. His death is a powerful statement on what it means to be human.
