Nerdist’s Best Characters of 2024

I must say, it’s quite a treat to see such a diverse and captivating array of characters gracing our screens this year! From the enigmatic Anxiety in Inside Out 2, reminding us that it’s okay to feel a little overwhelmed sometimes, to The Ghoul in Fallout, who embodies the spirit of survival and resilience we all carry within us.

2024 was an unforgettable year for me as a gamer, with the realms of television and film offering breathtaking journeys that took us from the gritty underbelly of Gotham City, to the desolate landscape of an alternate Earth, and countless other captivating locales. While the intricately crafted worlds and gripping narratives are essential components that draw fans in, it all falls flat without the right characters to embody our experiences. They serve as our stand-ins, evoking fear or reflecting who we are, individually or collectively. The character development acts as a glue, tying everything together and compelling us to tune in to see what they’ll do next or rewatch the movie multiple times.

Death (Tuesday)

Daina O. Pusić’s initial cinematic work, titled “Tuesday“, exhibits a unique blend of emotional depth, humor, and captivating intrigue – qualities that are strikingly similar to one of its central figures, Death itself. Remarkably, this portrayal of Death varies significantly from previous depictions in tales as old as human storytelling. For instance, in this film, Death transforms into a shape-shifting macaw instead of the traditional Grim Reaper figure. Despite having encountered every soul that has ever existed during their final moments on Earth, the character of Death remains intrigued by the living. Moreover, he is portrayed as lonely, empathetic, and incredibly amusing.

It’s Arinzé Kene’s exceptional portrayal of Death’s voice that sets the character apart in 2024’s top picks. Even when the movie and its peculiar bird veer into the bizarre, he infuses the role with a sense of humanity. This transformation makes Death more than just a symbol or job; it turns Death into a deeply human character we care for, despite our disapproval of its inevitable actions. – Paraphrased by AI

Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

For decades, Zuko has been one of the most cherished characters on screen. Assuming the role of Zuko in the live-action adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” this year was no simple task. However, it was a truly captivating experience to see Dallas Liu bring fresh vitality to an adored character. Liu managed to perfectly encapsulate everything that makes Zuko endearing in the animated series. One of the most fascinating aspects of Zuko as a character is the dual feeling of wanting to scold him and yet caring deeply for him. And Dallas Liu brilliantly evoked this sentiment in viewers during the live-action “Avatar: The Last Airbender.

In addition, Liu’s portrayal of Zuko was remarkable and unexpectedly profound for me. I never thought anyone could add layers to Zuko that I hadn’t imagined before, but Liu managed it beautifully. The complexity of Zuko’s past, his family ties, and his struggle with honor and duty have always tugged at my heartstrings. However, Liu’s performance made me shed tears on multiple occasions by bringing out Zuko’s vulnerability, his longing to serve his country, and his tragic love for his family in a way that felt incredibly human. I wouldn’t say Zuko was more developed in the live-action adaptation, but Liu gave him opportunities to show new and unique aspects, all of which resonated deeply. Zuko has always been one of my favorite characters, but with this performance, he’s poised to be one of the standout characters of 2024 as well. -Ro Rusak

Tashi Duncan (Challengers)

That summer was truly reminiscent of the excitement surrounding the tennis-focused film “Challengers,” which captivated the internet and revitalized interest in tennis, its culture, and fashion. The central figure in this narrative is Tashi Duncan, a once-promising tennis star, who finds herself at the center of attention for both main characters, Art and Patrick, as they vie for her affection. Despite her less than charming demeanor, Tashi was undeniably cunning. She skillfully navigated both on and off-court situations, manipulating the lives of Art and Patrick to live the life she desired vicariously through them.

Director Luca Guadagnino skillfully portrayed Tashi as a seasoned manipulator, adept at playing people’s emotions. Moreover, Zendaya delivered an outstanding performance that added layers of complexity to Tashi’s character. Far from being a simple hero or villain, Tashi was intricately woven with themes of shattered dreams, love, deception, and ambition. Despite their affection for her, she seemed to be more engrossed in the game itself. Whether she ultimately emerged victorious is something that leaves us questioning. -Vishu Reddy

Jennifer Kale (Agatha All Along)

Initially, much like numerous Marvel enthusiasts, I believed that “ Agatha All Along ” would merely be a mediocre spin-off arriving too late in the game. However, much like those fellow fans, I was proven wrong. I found myself captivated by our descent along, and deep into, the Witches’ Road. Each character struck a chord within me – from Lilia’s bond with tarot and her ancestors – and they were all superbly portrayed. However, it was Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata), an alchemist witch from a lineage of rootworkers, and social media sensation, who truly caught my interest. On the surface, she seemed to have everything under control, but beneath that facade, she grappled with a private struggle as she sought to reclaim her powers.

1) The longing to recover what was once lost, to achieve wholeness, and to confront her fears took me by surprise with greater intensity than anticipated. Her quick-witted humor, biting sarcasm, and the impactful instant where she reclaims her power and condemns Agatha is simply remarkable. She is the one who ultimately realizes what she had sought along the Witches’ Path and soars away towards a more daring and radiant future. Jen has won over countless hearts and we eagerly anticipate seeing how she will influence the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s future. -Tai Gooden

Adar (The Rings of Power)

In a state of profound disappointment, I discovered that The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power had recast my beloved character, Adar, following season one. “I will never love again,” I lamented dramatically, bracing myself for what I assumed would be an unsatisfying second season. However, quite unexpectedly, I found myself pleasantly mistaken about the new version of Adar, whom I affectionately call Stepdadar. Sam Hazeldine’s portrayal of Adar brilliantly captured the essence of my favorite character from the first season—his tender side, his profound sorrow, and a subtle wisdom that revealed Adar as more than just a villainous figure. Instead, he depicted Adar as a heroic character, albeit one shrouded in darkness. Hazeldine’s fresh take on the Uruk-father introduced an alluring charm to the series, making each of his scenes stand out, regardless of their length or scene partner in any given episode.

In a completely biased yet confident opinion, Adar was hands down the most captivating character in season two of “The Rings of Power.” As I often express, Adar’s tale is a complex one, marked by corruption, yet it holds an undeniable allure. From his ambiguous relationships with his offspring, Sauron, and Galadriel, to his emotional turmoil, Adar manages to captivate us. He entices us further with glimpses of genuine emotion that resonate deeply. While many characters in “The Rings of Power” are driven by power, legacy, and reputation, Adar is primarily moved by love. To delve deeper into why Adar stands out, you can read my extensive tribute to the character here. In short, it’s a privilege for me to acknowledge Adar as one of the top characters of 2024 and arguably my all-time favorite character.

Sofia Falcone (The Penguin)

Cristin Milioti’s fans had long admired her skill as an actress prior to her role in “The Penguin”, but now her talent has been universally recognized, placing her among the elite actresses globally. In a series teeming with robust characters and larger-than-life personalities, Sofia Falcone’s fiery, vengeful portrayal was electrifying in every scene, exhibiting an infectious energy. This role, which demanded a significant transformation for the character, presented immense challenges.

Milioti’s remarkable, captivating portrayal transformed the neglected and mistreated Sofia into one of Gotham’s most intriguing and powerful characters yet. She masterfully maintained an unsettling and gripping tension within the series by skillfully straddling the line between sanity and insanity. In a city filled with flashy superheroes and attention-grabbing villains, she outshone even The Penguin by developing a character that felt authentic and relatable while still embodying an otherworldly presence. -Mikey Walsh

Sister Sage (The Boys)

In the world of ‘The Boys’, where powerful supers often engage in malicious deeds, one wouldn’t expect someone like Sister Sage to make a significant difference. However, she astonishingly alters the dynamics as Homelander’s trusted advisor and a mastermind of chaos who also happens to be the most intelligent being in existence. Portrayed brilliantly by Susan Heyward, Sister Sage orchestrated Vought and the U.S. government like pieces on a chessboard, fueling the ongoing super war and manipulating everyone as if they were mere pawns. Her courage to confront powerful figures and supes alike, and her uncanny ability to send anyone challenging her into mental turmoil, made for an enthralling spectacle.

The best part is she does this purely for the satisfaction of wielding quiet power and, well, because she simply can. The world is now in the palm of her hands as she weaves a web of anarchy and disorder that threatens to dismantle everything this version of America has built so far. Sage doesn’t care about humans nor being liked and it is quite the pleasure to watch a Black woman in this pivotal role. A calculating and Machiavellian antagonist, she is THE best new character across TV and film, period. -Tai Gooden

Lestat (Interview with the Vampire)

In Anne Rice’s “Interview with the Vampire”, readers find that Lestat, a major character, is killed by his offspring Louis and Claudia at the climax of the initial storyline. However, the producers of AMC’s “Interview with the Vampire” couldn’t afford to exclude standout actor Sam Reid from most of season two. To accommodate this, they came up with an innovative solution – they had Sam portray a Lestat who embodies Louis’ tormenting guilt.

In the second season, Lestat portrayed by Riley Adams (reminiscent of Jiminy Cricket) is wittier, more humorous, and profound than his actual counterpart. Yet again, he dominates every scene he’s in. Later on, Sam Reid appears for the last two episodes as the genuine Lestat, delivering an outstanding performance. Despite the season primarily being gloomy and melancholic, Sam Reid injected fun into it.

The Ghoul (Fallout)

From the trailers for Amazon’s Fallout, The Ghoul immediately caught my interest, fitting my taste perfectly. However, what I encountered was far superior to my initial expectations. Walton Goggins breathed life into the noseless, ruthless character, making him truly extraordinary. Through his portrayal of The Ghoul, we see a character defined by the harsh, grueling circumstances he’s endured. He is one of the rare characters who has survived so long in the Fallout universe, and within him lies distant echoes of love and a time before catastrophe.

Even though those aspects of him, vividly apparent to the spectator through flashbacks, remain hidden within The Ghoul, they exist nonetheless. Despite his gruff exterior, which he has developed to survive, there’s a gentle side to him that occasionally surfaces in subtle instances. Ultimately, The Ghoul isn’t truly evil, and his charm has undeniably captured the affection of viewers. A round of applause for one of our standout characters this year – The Ghoul! -Ro Rusak

Anxiety (Inside Out 2)

The sequel of Inside Out introduced a host of fresh feelings to Riley’s established mental crew, yet Anxiety was the one that resonated the most with viewers. Despite causing some chaos along the way, it turned out that Anxiety just wanted to be ready for any eventuality! The portrayal of Anxiety in the movie was a reflection of how emotions can overpower us at times, but it’s alright if they do. Unlike in our daily lives where we often vilify anxiety, this emotion wasn’t cast as the villain in the film. Instead, it was shown that Anxiety serves a purpose, just like the other feelings. The movie served as a reminder to both children and adults that we should be gentle with ourselves because even those emotions we fear the most have a valuable role within us.

2024-12-04 18:03