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Every year, there are a handful of characters that escape the cineplexes and become ingrained in the pop culture zeitgeist. For 2017, that served as a prevalent way to escape the dreary real world. The following is a list of 20 characters that not only made films great, but captured our interests and became icons in their own right. The only rule behind this list is that these characters were introduced to audiences for the first time this year in a cinematic form (which unfortunately cancels out Wonder Woman and Lego Batman). Beyond that, the field is open to whoever wants to leave an impression on audiences and give them something to think about for years to come.
X-23, a.k.a. Laura (Logan)
Director James Mangold's latest X-Men film marked the end of an era for fan favorite Wolverine. It's a crushing tale, and one that exemplified the best of what comic book cinema still has to offer. However, there was one shining beacon for the future of the Marvel franchise to be found in Dafne Keen's Laura: a mutant who escapes brutal experimentation to find freedom in Canada. She isn't just a fascinating loose canon, but a perfect embodiment of the potential future that Wolverine could've had, especially if he wasn't doomed to a life of protecting others. As much as this is Wolverine's finest hour on celluloid, one can only hope that Laura shows up more often in the future to do her adopted mutant father proud.
Ego (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2)
The first Guardians of the Galaxy film introduced Peter Quill, a.k.a. Starlord, to audiences with an iconic soundtrack meant to embody his misbegotten youth. In the sequel, it introduces the man that has been absent of Peter's life, and whose presence is immediately embraced. Ego is capable of making planets, of which is fond of bragging about. More than anything, he is one of Marvel Cinematic Universe's most complex characters to date, and whose character arc creates one of the most tragic tales in any superhero film of the year. He has a love of Looking Glass' "Brandy," and it only goes to show what kind of person he is. There's a reason his name is Ego, and unfortunately it's not always a good thing.
Dennis, Patricia, Hedwig, "The Beast," Kevin Wendell Crumb,
Barry, Orwell, Jade (Split)
One of the biggest surprises of early 2017 was the incredible return of M. Night Shyamalan with this unexpected Unbreakable sequel. What's even more incredible is that for a film that builds on the gimmick of a man with "23 personalities," actor James McAvoy manages to give most of them due diligence. It's an unnerving portrayal where he manages to physically mesh into different characters whether young or old, male or female, slow or intelligent. It's a big reason that the film works (credit should also be given to Anya Taylor-Joy), and it helps to create one of the most creative, unnerving horror films of the year as well as the first time that a man with a lisp who praises Kanye West got some serious Oscar consideration. That's quite an achievement.
Chris Washington (Get Out)
Few performances have gone as understated as that of Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out. While the film has gotten credit for being an incredible exploration of race relations in America, its central protagonist hasn't gotten enough credit for his performance. He is able to be reserved in a time of panic, doing his best to maintain civility in a society out to get him. It isn't just a white against black story, it's so much more; and it can be seen in Chris' eyes. It's a performance as rich with symbolism as the rest of the movie, and the nuance is something that may take awhile to gain full appreciation. For now, Kaluuya deserves more credit towards a potential Oscar nomination, especially as Get Out's Oscar chances aren't as ridiculous as they once seemed.
Bubble (Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets)
Director Luc Besson made one of the craziest comic book adaptations of 2017, and he unfortunately did get much credit for it. The film, which manages to live up to its title, manages to create a madcap cousin to the more formed style of Star Wars with universes that are incredible to look at, which makes it difficult to pick just one memorable character. However, there's no one quite like Bubble: a shape-shifting blob that masquerades as a cabaret singer. She may not show up until the third act, but she makes the most of her limited time with memorable quips, great shape-shifting scenes, and a finale that is ridiculous if read as Besson's love letter to Rihanna herself. The film is full of incredible absurdity, but none feel as ready to play as Bubble does from the minute she steps out on stage.
Lorraine Broughton (Atomic Blonde)
Step aside, boys. There was no spy who captured the screen with as much vigorous force as Lorraine Broughton. Along with chipping a tooth, Charlize Theron committed to making the lead of this Cold War action thriller as exciting to watch as possible. She may be a bit cryptic to read, but her fashion style is only outdone by her ability to hold her own in several now iconic fight scenes. Unlike John Wick, she doesn't need a gun to make it through close quarters. All she needs is her wits, and maybe a noose hanging from a body to use as a personal elevator. Atomic Blonde is one of the best action films of recent years, and it helps that it never fails to surprise at every turn, thanks in large part to Theron's incredible yet overlooked performance.
Katherine (Lady Macbeth)
In a perfect world, it won't take long for people to realize how much they slept on Florence Pugh's brilliant performance in Lady Macbeth. The film starts off as a slow and meticulous period piece, of which is intentionally set up as boring. Katherine is a woman who is restricted from freedoms outside of her small life, and it only leads her to go down some dark and perverse routes. Be warned, the film is shocking in terms of her moral trajectory. With that said, few performances feel as successful in capturing personal drive and the tragic road that can lead towards quite like Pugh's. She should be the next big thing, and hopefully that will only bring people back to Lady Macbeth and its beautiful world. It's incredible as a breakout role, and hopefully it will be treated as such.
Joe Bang (Logan Lucky)
When Steven Soderbergh got the chance to work with Daniel Craig, he had a simple rule: he let Daniel Craig play Joe Bang however he wanted. This country-fried heist movie has a lot of memorable moments, but few were as great as any scene with the pyrotechnic that's been broken out of jail. His unexpected candor produces a lot of great gags that include how to make a homemade bomb using some snacks. The film as a whole was a great tribute to NASCAR country culture and featured great performances by a cast that was never shy of quirky moments. Even then, the illustrious presence of Joe Bang is likely to be one that inspires Halloween costumes for years to come, and may even inspire people to get Daniel Craig in more comedies. Who knew that James Bond was this funny?
Connie Nikas (Good Time)
For those who still think that Robert Pattinson can't act, one just has to see Good Time to understand why that's a lie from his Twilight days. Following a botched heist, he much bail his brother out of prison over the course of one horrific night. While the story is straightforward, it's incredible to see Pattinson roll through events, talking his way out of corners and finding despicable ways to stay safe. It's an intense ride from The Safdie Brothers, and it also shows how earnest and focused an actor Pattinson could be with the right material. He's one of the year's great antagonists, and more evidence that he's more than capable of more acclaim and better roles than he currently gets.
Dan Pinto (Ingrid Goes West)
Ingrid Goes West is one of the funniest comedies of 2017 to deal with our increasing reliance on social media for acceptance. As much as the film features one of Aubrey Plaza's best roles in years (not named Legion), it's her land owner that inevitably steals the show. Dan Pinto loves smoking just about as much as he loves Batman. He dreams of writing the next movie in the franchise and looks to the Batman Forever soundtrack for inspiration. What could read as a one note character with nerdy interests becomes an endearing look at balancing adulthood with passion, creating more evidence that O'Shea Jackson Jr. is more than Ice Cube's son. He's also a pretty promising actor.
Okja (Okja)
While Okja may be a CG creature who doesn't look like any existing animals, he manages to give one of the most affecting performances of the year. His adorable, childlike wonder outdoes his gargantuan size and makes him the perfect subject for a film like this. As much as it has some important subtext about eating animals, the film is just a joy to see Okja escape danger through comical set pieces that inevitably ratchet with emotional tension as the film progresses. How could someone not be charmed by the magic of Okja? He's so adorable, and that's kind of the point. For all of the film's other raw nerve statements, it definitely helps that Okja is always entertaining to watch and serves as the greatest animal protagonist who fights the meat industry since Babe.
Bad Ape (War for the Planet of the Apes)
The finale to the recent Planet of the Apes trilogy was bleak, marking the last moments of humanity before the world turned over. It doesn't help that Caesar gets captured and gets stuck in a totalitarian nightmare. However, there is one bright spot in the film: Bad Ape. He has dealt with humans before, but he's also too innocent to handle the tragedy that follows. He serves as a comic folly and reactionary to the situation around him. He adds a nice sense of humor to the film and manages to expand the Apes mythology by giving them a kooky fashion sense and an interesting way of saving the day. He may only be a minor player in this War, but it's hard to forget him once you've seen him.
Miss Martha (The Beguiled)
During the Civil War, it's always important to keep your guard up. When a women's home discovers an injured soldier in their yard, it becomes difficult to determine just how pure his motives are. Luckily, there is household leader Miss Martha to keep the women in track as they become entranced by the cruelty of a man unable to be civil. The Beguiled is a movie about the civil war between men and women as well as north and south. It helps to have a leader like Miss Martha in control who can use the anatomy book to her full advantage. While the film has a lot of incredible performances, few stand out quite like Nicole Kidman who in an incredible 2017 managed to outdo herself with a quiet and calculated performance of a woman ready to pounce. Don't mess with her. She'll take you down hard.
Baby Driver (Baby Driver)
In the rich lexicon that is Edgar Wright's career, there hasn't been a character as meticulous as Baby Driver. He is a man who is defined by pop culture, but is so much more. He uses the name Baby Driver as a defense against criminals who he impersonally works with to pay for his deaf roommate's apartment. The film is a deconstruction on why we turn to pop culture for emotional catharsis, and few need it more than Baby. While the driving sequences are great and the soundtrack is even greater, this is a character who embodies ideas in a compelling manner. He's so dedicated to setting every scene to a killer track that he'll rewind a song on his iPod to make it right. It's just the way things are in Baby's world, and nothing is going to change that.
Beverly Marsh (IT)
The year 2017 treated writer Stephen King rather well. With several adaptations to his credit, few managed to light up the box office quite like IT, which took his most iconic book and updated it for a new generation. The Losers Club was especially well casted with a series of child actors who brought their crass heart to the iconic characters. However, few were as well received as Beverly Marsh, the sole woman of the gang who managed to be a great tomboy capable of keeping up with the boys. She knows how to keep your love of New Kids On the Block a secret. She also has one of the most interesting struggles with Pennywise the Dancing Clown and her budding adulthood, all of which lead to a scary look into getting older and being a woman in general. Every character is worth being on this list, but Beverly edges them out thanks to her scrappy charm.
Martin (The Killing of a Sacred Deer)
Barry Keoghan may better be remembered for his work in the incredible Dunkirk, and it's probably best it stays that way if you want to love him in anything again. In The Killing of a Sacred Deer, he manages to give one of the most frustrating and disturbing performances of the year. He is the easiest character to hate this year, and it doesn't help that he has awful eating habits. Director Giorgos Lanthimos has concocted a great character in Martin, who manages to turn simple suburban life into a creepy landscape of frivolous conflicts. It's best to go into this film with as little knowledge as possible. It will make it all the more shocking, and it will be tough to love that kid from Dunkirk ever again.
Bobby (The Florida Project)
If there were more hotel owners like Bobby, the world would be a better place. Even as he harbors some of the worst people of Florida, he cares about The Magic Castle and makes sure that children stay away from pedophiles, and that the paperwork is done on time. He is a noble figure of good in a world of corrupt adulthood, and he's the most sympathetic person in the movie. As the story progresses, one could only wish that the film chose him as the central protagonist, if just because his life seems far more interesting on a daily basis. He also has some great jokes about random birds loitering in front of the hotel. What's not to love?
Mildred (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
The premise is right there in the title. Mildred is a woman out trying to solve the murder of her daughter, and she is hellbent on getting answers. It helps that the haggard performance of Frances McDormand manages to convey a weariness and cynicism perfect for the moment. What makes her greater isn't that she's a fulfilling fantasy for those wanting revenge on a cruel world, but that the journey to getting answers is a lot more complicated than she initially thought. Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell are also deserving of spots on this list, but McDormand edges them out thanks to her ability to play a different and difficult woman who doesn't often get seen. She'll fight for what's right, but the bigger question is: what is right? Who is right? Mildred finds out the answer, but it isn't pleasant.
Tommy Wiseau (The Disaster Artist)
For those who haven't had the pleasure of seeing The Room, James Franco's depiction of Tommy Wiseau may be a confusing mess. Well, that's because he is. He's the man who somehow managed to succeed in the face of making one of the worst movies ever. He has terrible skills as a movie director, but has the passion to make something that his wholly his own. It's hard not to love Tommy, who is the mythic heir to Ed Wood in his ability to be charming even at his most unaware. For those who have seen The Room, it becomes more clear how pitch perfect Franco's performance is, and it only adds layers to the brilliance of depicting a man who loves art, but maybe doesn't know how to make it correctly.
Christine "Lady Bird" MacPherson (Lady Bird)
The high school years are a tough time for everyone. For Christine, it's a moment to reinvent herself within the confines of a Catholic School. What makes her one of the most endearing figures in 2017 pop culture is how universal her struggles are beyond faith. She is trying to make good with her parents, follow her dreams to colleges in New York, and to have a successful love life. There's so many small moments that make Lady Bird an endearing movie, and part of it comes from the quirky performance by Saoirse Ronan, who has never been funnier or more engaging. She is a woman conflicted about her future, and it's something oh so common for all of us. She just managed to say it best.
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