Follow us on Twitter | Instagram

Awful characters aren’t just the domain of horror movies, sometimes, the ‘romantic heroes’ in popular movies are worse! Ever found yourself screaming at the screen, frustrated by a character who manipulates their partner in the most infuriating ways? Yep, those gaslighters can really get under our skin. Let’s take a deep dive into five notorious gaslighters from popular romance movies who made us all shake our heads and roll our eyes. Spoiler alert: you might recognize some of these toxic traits in real life, too.

1. Christian Grey – Fifty Shades of Grey

Alright, let’s start with the elephant in the room. Christian Grey, the enigmatic billionaire from Fifty Shades of Grey, might make hearts flutter, but his controlling behavior is a major red flag. From dictating Anastasia’s diet to tracking her every move, Christian’s possessiveness isn’t just romantic tension—it’s classic gaslighting. His insistence that everything he does is for Ana’s own good is a textbook manipulation tactic, leaving her constantly doubting her own feelings and sanity.

2. Noah Calhoun – The Notebook

Hold up, before you grab your pitchforks, let’s talk about Noah Calhoun from The Notebook. While Noah is often hailed as the ultimate romantic hero, his relentless pursuit of Allie, despite her repeated rejections, borders on obsessive. Remember when he hangs from the Ferris wheel to coerce Allie into a date? Romantic gestures aside, Noah’s refusal to respect Allie’s decisions and his emotional manipulation throughout their tumultuous relationship screams gaslighting.

3. Edward Cullen – Twilight

Edward Cullen from Twilight is another swoon-worthy character with a dark side. His overprotectiveness of Bella starts off as endearing but quickly escalates into creepy territory. From watching her sleep without her knowing to controlling who she can hang out with, Edward’s behavior is anything but healthy. He constantly undermines Bella’s autonomy, making her feel like she can’t survive without him.

4. Mark Darcy – Bridget Jones’s Diary

Mark Darcy, the seemingly perfect gentleman from Bridget Jones’s Diary, isn’t immune to gaslighting tendencies either. His patronizing attitude towards Bridget often leaves her feeling inadequate and self-conscious. While his intentions might be good, his constant belittling of Bridget’s career, appearance, and choices subtly chips away at her self-esteem, making her question her worth and sanity.

5. Nick Dunne – Gone Girl

Nick Dunne from Gone Girl is perhaps the most overtly toxic of the bunch. His deceit and manipulation throughout the movie are mind-boggling. Nick’s gaslighting takes a sinister turn as he constantly lies and distorts reality, making everyone around him—including his wife, Amy—question their perception of events. His behavior creates a web of confusion and mistrust that epitomizes the darkest aspects of gaslighting.

Wrapping It Up

Gaslighting in romance movies might add drama and intrigue, but it also highlights the darker side of relationships that often goes unnoticed. These characters, despite their charm and allure, remind us that love should never come at the cost of our sanity and self-worth. Everyone deserves a partner who lifts them up, not one who constantly makes them doubt themselves. Stay wise, and always choose love that respects and empowers you.

Read Next: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Series Review (Short Audio Version Below)