Never Falling For Them
Fiction gives us unforgettable characters, but not all of them would be great to date. Ever wondered how your favorite character might behave in a relationship?
Batman/Bruce Wayne (The Dark Knight Trilogy)
He might have Gotham's back, but Bruce Wayne rarely has time for the heart. Whether it's Rachel Dawes, who died in an explosion he failed to prevent, or Selina Kyle, who had to battle through his emotional barricades, his relationships are often casualties of his crusade. He loves, then vanishes.
Warner Bros., The Dark Knight (2008)
Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock)
Sherlock's romantic resume is nearly nonexistent, and for good reason. His emotional detachment turns every relationship into an unsolvable puzzle. Take Irene Adler—brilliant and ultimately expendable. Sherlock's affections are intellectual, not emotional. Even when he feels something, he buries it so deep you'll never be quite sure it is real.
Mary shoots sherlock | mind palace scene by Mr khan
Spock (Star Trek: The Original Series)
In theory, Spock's logic-first mindset keeps things clean. In reality, it can freeze any warmth you try to bring into the relationship. Just ask Nurse Chapel, who struggled to connect with a man trained to suppress emotion. Even when emotions are there, Spock's Vulcan restraint means it stays unspoken.
Star Trek's Vulcan Salute: Live Long and Prosper by John DiMarco
Dr House (House MD)
A genius in diagnostics and a disaster in intimacy, House bulldozes through emotional boundaries. His on-again, off-again relationship with Cuddy imploded under the weight of his manipulations and addictions. House arms himself with sarcasm and cruelty until no one dares get too close.
Wednesday Addams (Wednesday)
If you're expecting romantic warmth, prepare to be disappointed—and possibly dissected. Tyler ended up a monstrous pawn, Xavier was more of an obsession than romance, and emotional depth is something Wednesday greets with suspicion. She may admire you from afar, but she'll always prioritize solitary brooding over closeness.
Geralt Of Rivia (The Witcher)
Love doesn't last long around Geralt. Yennefer's passionate, magical connection with him burned bright but often veered into chaos and betrayal. Geralt guards his feelings behind silence and stoic monster-slaying. If you're looking for emotional availability, you'll have better luck with a werewolf than the White Wolf.
Joe Goldberg (You)
Joe doesn't love you—he adores the idea of you. Beck ended up dead, and Love Quinn fared no better despite being just as unhinged. Joe manipulates and eliminates anything that threatens his fantasy. To him, obsession is affection, and relationships are cages disguised as cozy bookshops and stolen glances.
Light Yagami (Death Note)
At first glance, Light appears intelligent and charismatic. However, relationships are never more than a strategy for him. His girlfriend, Misa, was manipulated and discarded the moment she lost her value to his twisted goals. Love, to Light, is a chess piece, not something to nurture or protect.
Main Character Energy: Light Yagami | Anime Club | Prime Video by Prime Video
Cersei Lannister (Game Of Thrones)
Cersei's romantic life is a battlefield littered with secrets and political maneuvers in GOT. Her twin brother Jaime was a tool in her pursuit of power. Anyone else, Robert Baratheon included, was just a pawn. Cersei doesn't do romance. She does domination, and those closest to her often don't survive it.
Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal)
Seductive intellect and charm can't mask the fact that Hannibal eats the people who get too close. Just ask Alana Bloom, whose entanglement nearly cost her life and left her emotionally wrecked. Love with Hannibal is elegant and terrifying. The wine might be red, but so is the menu.
Patrick Bateman (American Psycho)
No one dates Patrick Bateman and lives to tell the tale. His lovers are disposable, often meeting gruesome ends in the midst of his unhinged lifestyle. He projects perfection on the surface, but beneath the suit is a man who's completely detached from empathy.
Lionsgate, American Psycho (2000)
Walter White (Breaking Bad)
Skyler watched her marriage rot from the inside out while Walt built his drug empire. What began as a white lie for the family turned into a reign of manipulation and danger. Walter gaslights and ultimately puts everyone he loves at risk. Power seduced him more than any real connection ever could.
Dexter Morgan (Dexter)
Unfortunately, Dexter's version of romance comes with body bags. Rita was brutally murdered because of the life he hid from her, and his later attempts at love ended in bloodshed. He craves connection but can't live honestly. Loving Dexter means walking a tightrope above his secrets and possibly falling victim to them.
Showtime Networks, Dexter (2006–2013)
Tyler Durden (Fight Club)
Even Marla Singer, the closest thing to a partner Tyler had, was mostly kept in the dark or shoved to the side. Tyler thrives on chaos and rejects anything that hints at stability. He is a walking rejection of everything intimacy stands for. You can't love anarchy, nor can you “fix” it.
Twentieth Century, Fight Club (1999)
V (V For Vendetta)
He fights for justice and revolution, but there's little room in V's world for romance. Evey Hammond was transformed by him, yes, but also manipulated and emotionally pushed to the brink in his quest. V loves ideas more than people, and his ideals often come at a very personal cost.
Warner Bros., V for Vendetta (2005)
Scarlett O'Hara (Gone With The Wind)
Although she married three times, not once was for love. Scarlet's heart pined for someone unattainable while she dismissed and damaged those who cared. Ashley Wilkes never loved her back, and Rhett Butler eventually gave up trying. Scarlett is manipulative and incapable of seeing love until it's long gone.
Tommy DeVito (Goodfellas)
Charming at first glance, Tommy turns volatile at the drop of a hat. He thrives on intimidation, and his temper makes emotional stability impossible. While the film focuses on crime, it's clear Tommy doesn't do tenderness. A wrong word could get you a glare or worse. It's not exactly relationship material.
Casino - Joe Pesci Angry Moments by Degirmentas
Loki (Thor)
He's witty and emotionally damaged. Loki's relationships are clouded by trickery and insecurity. Sylvie, his closest romantic mirror, could never count on consistency or honesty. Loki loves theatrics more than connection. He'll shape-shift and run when it gets real. Because commitment is not a battle even he’ll stick around for.
Carrie White (Carrie)
Years of bullying and emotional neglect warped Carrie's view of connection. When Tommy Ross took her to prom, she allowed herself to hope until a cruel prank triggered a deadly rampage. Carrie's emotions are deeply tied to trauma. She wants love but can't handle it, and her pain spills out in terrifying ways.
Carrie (7/12) Movie CLIP - Prom Queen (1976) HD by Movieclips
Edward Cullen (Twilight)
Immortality doesn't make Edward a dream partner. He watches Bella sleep before they're even dating and frequently makes decisions for her under the guise of protection. His love is intense but suffocating. Bella gave up her humanity to be with him, but the relationship was never built on true equality.
Summit, The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)
The Joker (Justice League)
The Joker manipulates and destroys. And Quinn learned this too late, enduring psychological torment disguised as romance. He uses affection as bait, only to twist it into control. With the Joker, there's no room for mutual respect or safety. Everything becomes a joke, and you're the punchline.
Suicide Squad Kill The Justice League Joker All Cutscenes Full Movie by GameClips
Harley Quinn (Suicide Squad)
Joker ruined her for the worse. Harley's love life became one big red flag after her toxic relationship with the Joker, which blurred the line between devotion and abuse. Even when she breaks free, she continues to attract chaos. For Harley, love often looks like destruction with a painted smile.
Dc Entertainment, The Suicide Squad (2021)
Gollum (The Lord Of The Rings)
With no room in his heart except for his "precious," Gollum's fractured personality swings between pitiful and murderous. Trust is impossible, and any relationship would be overshadowed by obsession and paranoia. You're either useful to him or a threat, and that's not exactly how healthy romance should work.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), New line cinema
Rachel Berry (Glee)
Talented and completely self-absorbed, Rachel puts ambition above everything, even romance. Finn tried to love her, but her need for the spotlight always came first. She's not malicious, just tunnel-visioned. Loving Rachel means cheering her on from backstage while she barely glances back.
every glee recap ever | season 3 by absolutelynotcool
Regina George (Mean Girls)
Regina is all charm and chaos. She thrives on control, manipulation, and gaslighting and wraps it all in a perfectly glossed smile. In a relationship, she’d keep you guessing—then blame you for the confusion. Drama is her oxygen, and empathy is nowhere to be found. She’d much rather prefer that you lose yourself in her.
Don Draper (Mad Men)
His charm sells lipstick and dreams, but Don's relationships are built on lies and unresolved trauma. Betty suffered through his emotional absences and secret affairs, while Megan discovered that love didn't tame his demons. Don is magnetic, but intimacy with him is always just out of reach and often painful.
Lionsgate, Mad Men (2007–2015)
Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby)
Despite throwing extravagant parties, hoping Daisy will wander back into his life, you realize that Jay Gatsby's obsession isn't true love. His dream version of romance is frozen in the past, and Daisy, overwhelmed and emotionally distant, can never live up to the illusion. Gatsby loved a memory, not a real woman.
Warner Bros., The Great Gatsby (2013)
Tony Stark (Iron Man)
Smart and brave, Tony is also impulsive and emotionally volatile. Pepper Potts stood by him through reckless choices and near-death experiences, but his ego often left her cleaning up the mess. He grew over time, yes, but being with Tony meant surviving his chaos before earning his growth.
BoJack Horseman (BoJack Horseman)
This is the kind of partner who needs saving constantly. BoJack is emotionally draining and so wrapped in guilt that he can barely see others clearly. From Charlotte to Wanda, his connections crumble under the weight of his inner chaos. To be willing to drown slowly in someone else's sadness is not for all.
Netflix, BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
Amy Dunne (Gone Girl)
Ending a relationship with Amy meant destruction, which she had carefully scripted. Nick barely made it out alive after she faked her death to punish his infidelity. Desi? He wasn't that lucky. To the outside world, she's perfect, but behind closed doors, Amy is a master manipulator with a taste for revenge.
Frank Castle (The Punisher)
Grief defines Frank more than love ever could. After losing his wife and children, he turns to violence as a full-time job. Romance doesn't survive in his world of vendettas and bloodshed. He cares deeply, but his affection is guarded by trauma and a relentless need for vengeance.
The Punisher (2017–2019), Marvel Television
Andrew Neiman (Whiplash)
Andrew's dedication to greatness is ruthless, and everything else—including relationships—gets sacrificed on that altar. He ends things with Nicole before they've even started, convinced she'd only slow him down. Ambition drives him to brilliance but also to isolation. Love has no tempo in Andrew's pursuit of perfection.
Tommy Shelby (Peaky Blinders)
Building a future with Tommy means constantly dodging the past he refuses to leave behind. His marriage to Grace offered a flicker of peace, but it ended in tragedy as a reminder that emotions often pay the price for his ambition. Duty always comes first, even when hearts are on the line.
Caryn Mandabach Productions, Peaky Blinders (2013–2022)
Bruce Banner/Hulk (The Avengers)
Loving Bruce means living with the constant threat of catastrophe. Betty Ross tried, but she was left behind for her own safety. Bruce hides in isolation, terrified of what he becomes when emotions run high. The more he feels, the more dangerous he gets, and that's no foundation for intimacy.
Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother)
No one wears confidence like Barney, but underneath the bravado is a man terrified of emotional vulnerability. Dozens of women came and went while real intimacy always slipped through his fingers throughout the show. Robin tried to love him, but consistency was never part of his repertoire.
James Bond (Casino Royale)
Glamour and elegance trail Bond everywhere he goes, and so do broken hearts. Vesper Lynd got closer than most, only to die in a betrayal that shaped Bond's cold detachment. Since then, women have become accessories to his missions, not partners. He loves deeply, but only once and never again.
Columbia Pictures, Casino Royale (2006)
Rose Armitage (Get Out)
At first, Rose seems like the dream girlfriend, funny and fiercely loyal. Then, the mask slips. Behind the charm is someone who sells her lovers into paralysis and body-snatching. Chris was just another name on her photo wall. Love with Rose is an orchestrated betrayal disguised as devotion.
Get Out | Trailer | Own it now on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD & Digital by Universal Pictures All-Access
Hank Moody (Californication)
When Hank loves you, he really loves you until he messes it all up. Karen stood by him through rehab and failed promises, only to leave when his patterns proved unbreakable. Hank feels everything but responsibility? Not so much. His charm is real, but it doesn't come with reliability.
Paramount, Californication (2007–2014)
Jessica Jones (Jessica Jones)
Being close to Jessica means dealing with barbed wire. She wants connection yet pushes it away the second it feels real. Kilgrave's manipulation leaves scars she hides behind sarcasm and a bottle. Luke Cage offered stability, but he couldn't even anchor her for long because walls like hers aren't easily broken down.
Jessica Jones (2015–2019), Marvel Television
Voldemort (Harry Potter Series)
Love isn't something Voldemort understands. Conceived under a love potion, he lacks the capacity for empathy or connection. Relationships don't exist in his world, only power dynamics. Even his followers are tools, not companions. If you're looking for affection, you'll find only cold ambition and a snake for company.
Warner Bros., Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Tony Soprano (The Sopranos)
Tony says he values family, but his actions rarely align. Carmela endured lies and the looming threat of violence with little appreciation. His love is possessive, not nurturing, and his emotional outbursts leave no space for trust. Vulnerability is a weakness in his world, and intimacy always takes a hit.
Tony Soprano and Dr. Melfi S1-3 (Compilation) - The Sopranos by ceerious
Ozymandias (Watchmen)
Adrian Veidt is a visionary, but relationships don't factor into his grand design. He faked a global disaster and killed millions without flinching, all while wearing a calm smile. If you think love can soften him, think again. He's not heartless but just puts logic so far ahead that feeling becomes irrelevant.
Michonne (The Walking Dead)
Fierce and loyal, Michonne is someone you want in your corner, but loving her isn't easy. Grief and survival hardened her, and those she opened up to, like Rick, either vanished or died. She's capable of love, no doubt, but trust takes time. And time is one thing the apocalypse doesn't offer.
The Walking Dead Fox Networks Group
Rick Sanchez (Rick And Morty)
Every attempt at intimacy with Rick is met with sarcasm or outright destruction because he is brilliant but emotionally bankrupt. Unity, the hive-mind ex-lover, left him after realizing he was too toxic even for a species with no individuality. Rick might fall in love, but he'll never stick around to do it properly.
