15 of the Least Believable Love Triangles In Movie History
There’s nothing wrong with the idea of a love triangle, since it adds stakes to an otherwise straightforward story. However, they can feel forced at times, particularly when the film in question isn’t really a romance. So the added romantic conflict seems to be there to waste time.
This is why we’ve gathered a selection of movies with love triangles, and how they don’t really work as well as people thought they might. Many of these films are still enjoyable, but we wished they had trimmed the triangle for a more cohesive story.
The Hobbit, Tauriel, Legolas and Kili
This adaptation took some creative liberties by tossing a romantic subplot into the mix. Tauriel becomes the sudden love interest for two completely different characters, creating a shoehorned dynamic that most fans felt just did not work.
The Dark Knight, Bruce, Rachel and Harvey
Introduced back in 2005 with Batman Begins, Rachel Dawes eventually finds herself caught between a billionaire vigilante and a dedicated district attorney. It is hard to believe she would ever truly choose the chaotic life of a superhero.
Superman Returns, Clark, Lois and Richard
A noted failure in Superman Returns is how the writers handled this specific romantic conflict. Instead of making Richard a terrible person, they made him a decent, loving husband who actually saves the hero, confusing the audience entirely.
The Hunger Games, Katniss, Peeta and Gale
While fans debated this matchup for years, the actual story presents a much darker reality. Katniss was forced to perform her romance with Peeta for survival, creating a bond based on shared trauma rather than genuine love.
Twilight, Bella, Edward and Jacob
The Twilight films feature a famous romantic conflict that many critics now view as entirely toxic. The supposed tension is made completely unbelievable by a severe lack of actual development in the relationship between the human and the werewolf.
Sweet Home Alabama, Melanie, Jake and Andrew
In this 2002 American romantic comedy directed by Andy Tennant, the main character has to choose between her country past and her city life. The wealthy fiance is so nice that the entire conflict feels entirely forced.
The Wedding Planner, Mary, Steve and Fran
It is hard to buy into a romantic conflict when the groom is supposed to be planning a life with his bride. The sudden spark between the planner and the client just makes the entire situation feel uncomfortable.
Pretty in Pink, Andie, Duckie and Blane
High school senior Andie Walsh finds herself torn between wealthy Blane McDonnagh and her quirky best friend, ‘Duckie’ Dale. Often cited among movie setups that completely missed the mark, the final choice still frustrates audiences decades later.
The Age of Adaline, Adaline, Ellis and William
Throwing a father and a son into a romantic competition over the exact same immortal woman is a truly bizarre narrative choice. It takes away from the romance and just leaves viewers feeling weirded out by the family dynamics.
Love Actually, Juliet, Peter and Mark
This limply written subplot features a guy pining after his best friend’s new wife. It builds up to a widely discussed, off-putting scene where he confesses his forbidden love using cue cards, which just feels completely out of line.
The Family Stone, Everett, Meredith and Ben
This 2005 Christmas comedy directed by Thomas Bezucha features a spectacularly messy holiday gathering. Watching an uptight guest slowly drift away from her actual boyfriend and toward his entirely different brother makes for a very weird family dynamic.
Something Borrowed, Rachel, Dex and Darcy
Based on a 2005 novel, this 2011 romantic comedy directed by Luke Greenfield asks us to root for some highly questionable behavior. Betraying your closest friend for a guy who refuses to communicate makes everybody involved look terrible.
Vanilla Sky, David, Sofia and Julie
The psychological twists of this movie make the central romance incredibly confusing. Featuring acclaimed Spanish actress Penélope Cruz, the blurred lines between dreams and reality mean the audience never really knows which relationship is actually worth believing in.
Wicker Park, Matthew, Lisa and Alex
This 2004 romantic thriller directed by Paul McGuigan follows an advertising executive obsessively searching for a missing ex-lover. Based on a 1996 French film, the complicated web of deception makes the central romantic pull feel more creepy than believable.
Keeping the Faith, Brian, Jake and Anna
Pitting two lifelong friends of completely different religious callings against each other over their childhood crush is certainly a unique premise. However, the resulting romantic tension feels entirely unnatural when compared to their strong, established friendship.