In a good piece of media , a character death can be like a gut punch. It’s impactful, even if it’s also upsetting .
Reddit was asked, ” Which character death hit you differently, and why? ” And man, their answers are about to make me tear up too.
Obvious spoiler warnings for everything and anything. Books, movies, TV, even video games. Nothing’s safe.
“Boxer, from animal farm.” – Pigsnout69
“He worked so hard his whole life and to be sent to a glue farm while his best friend screams and runs behind him, chills man.”
I mean, Animal Farm was pretty upsetting for a number of reasons, but that sure didn’t help.
“Nell in Haunting of Hill House.” – BambiMonroe
“The whole bent neck lady episode and the funeral episode were absolute TV masterpieces. The realization of what happened is heartbreaking.”
I’d be lying if I said that show didn’t make me cry.
“Rudy, The Book Thief.” – sweetcheeks524
“We read the book in middle school English then watched the movie. The entire class was sobbing because we had studied this book and fallen in love with the characters, and to see it brought to life was just heartbreaking.”
I haven’t read the book or seen the movie, but I know it’s pretty tragic. I don’t know if my little heart could take it.
“The Princess Shireen.” – KingOfWickerPeople
“I had to take a break from Game of Thrones after that one.”
I also know that her death didn’t happen in the books, which honestly makes it so much more upsetting.
“When Stringer Bell died on The Wire I seriously considered not watching the rest of the series.” – [deleted]
“I’m glad I did continue, but later deaths like Omar and Snoop were no easier.”
They later clarify that, while there are deaths in the series that were probably tougher to handle, they just really liked Idris Elba. And I don’t blame ’em one bit.
“Opie. Sons of Anarchy. Just why?” – [deleted]
A show I haven’t seen, but the impact hasn’t escaped me. It’s tough seeing certain characters go out like that.
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“When Lee died in the Walking Dead game…” – FlaredGryphon
The Walking Dead (the comic and show) had some pretty heartbreaking deaths. But man, the video game? That was a whole other level of tragic.
“John Coffey from green mile. I can’t believe this hasn’t been said yet, that movie hit me different.” – Deathmedical
I’m not gonna lie, I’m thinking about that movie now, and it’s not going well. Excuse me while I go and get my tissues.
“Finnick Odair from The Hunger Games.” – kailey6
“I was so taken aback and shocked… I had to read his death scene a few times to really understand what just happened.”
It really comes out of nowhere in the book, huh?
“Ellie from UP.” – Lansing17
I know for a fact that if you watched Up , then those first 10 minutes had you bawling like a baby. Which is perfectly fine (I cried, too).
“The Dad in the book ‘The Road.'” – reconthree
“Maybe because my son was born just a month earlier, but it was incredibly sad.. the father tried so hard to live , to care for his son… who is now alone.. in the cold. Devastated.”
I read the book long before the movie came out, and I can say that the book death was sadder (the movie was still really sad, though!).
“That girl from the Bridge to Terabithia. That hit me so hard as an 8 year old.” – AdministrationSad226
I only saw the movie and never read the book, but let me tell you. That death came out of nowhere and shook me to my core.
“Sarah Lynn from Bojack Horseman. Especially as you find out more detail of that night in later seasons.” – cloverover544
This was one of those moments where you just knew it was coming, but that didn’t make it any less heartbreaking. What a show, man.
“Tadashi Hamada in Big Hero 6.” – ZaVenom27
Sure, it happens early on in the movie, but it’s like Up where it kind of sets the tone for the rest of the events. Even if you saw it coming, it still hit different.
“Poussey on Orange Is The New Black.” – RedheadedRebels
“She was one of the few characters I really cared about on the show and her death was just so unnecessary and realistic.”
Yeah… it was one of those deaths that made me stop watching the show for a loooong time.
“Does Wilson from Cast Away count? I cried so hard.” – Aprilo2776
I would say that Wilson counts for sure. Yeah, maybe he was nothing more than a ball, so he couldn’t really “die,” but that doesn’t make it any less upsetting!
“Bing Bong.” – Wompguinea
Inside Out was a wild ride, but the most heartbreaking moment was when Bing Bong faded away. Seriously. That was, like, so unfair.
“Fry’s dog in Futurama. That episode was so heartfelt and I just couldn’t.” – Hashim289
Honestly, I’m really upset that somebody had to go and remind me of this particular episode, and now my day is ruined. So, thanks.
“That horse in the Never Ending Story.” – wineandwings333
The horse was named Artax. Admittedly, I’ve never seen the movie, but I totally get people being sad over a horse’s death.
(Editor’s note: He dies of sadness! Literally swallowed by his own despair! For a certain generation, the scene is etched into our souls. Kids’ movies aren’t the same these days.)
“Glenn from the Walking Dead. I cried for a solid hour and the tributes at the end did not help at all.” [deleted]
The fact that he was a fan favorite definitely made it worse. Even though we all knew it was going to happen eventually.
