Read update
From good directing to well-written, intriguing characters, there are many key elements that ultimately make a movie great, and acting definitely plays a big part. While a good plot is one of the most important elements to telling an impactful, entertaining story, it can be hard to remain focused when a film features questionable performances.
From theStar Warsfranchise toBram Stoker’s Dracula, Redditors share their very interesting takes on some films that deliver a good plot but fall short in the acting department. These could have been better or even legendary movies that are unfortunately harmed by poor performances or simply miscast characters.
Updated on July 14, 2025, by Daniela Gama:
Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimerjust hit the big screens and has been a critical and commercial success so far. Such a thing is no wonder; given how talented the filmmaker is and the high expectations the fans had, it only makes sense that one of the most anticipated films of the year is also one of the most well-received. While all of Nolan’s films are, for the most part, very successful, some people on Reddit believe thatBatman Begins, for one (funnily enough alsostarring the talentedCillian Murphy), could have been better if it weren’t for a “miscast character.” Below, we gather some films “ruined” by bad acting performances, courtesy of moviegoers on the platform.
15The ‘Star Wars’ Franchise
TheStar Warsuniverse is undoubtedly one of the most iconic of all the cinematic universes in film history, and for good reason. Through the beloved movies,George Lucassuccessfully managed to create a vast world that beams with significance, inspiring viewers to dream and create.
RELATED:The Best Movies That Follow the Hero’s Journey
Although the treasured franchise is exceptionally good at offering enthralling plots for fans to immerse themselves in, people on Reddit are not impressed with some of the performances, something that has probably more to do with the writing than the skills of those involved. According tom0hawk, “TheStar Warsmovies generally fit the bill of being good movies with horrendous acting. Lucas can’t evoke emotions out of his actors, unfortunately.” On the same thread,17-40adds, “He managed to flattenLiam Neeson,Ewan McGregor, andNatalie Portmanall at once. That takes some serious (lack of) skill.”
Watch on Disney+
14’Gran Torino' (2008)
This top-ratedClint Eastwood-directed moviefollows Walt Kowalski (Eastwood), a grumpy old man who has recently lost his wife and seemingly can not get along with anyone. When his neighbor Thao Lor (Bee Vang) tries to steal his most prized possession (a Gran Torino), Kowalski sets out to reform him.
“Good film but aside from Clint Eastwood the rest of the acting inGran Torinois pretty terrible, kinda struggled to ignore it when I re-watched it a while ago,“jamdunkswrites on Reddit. On another post,MajesticMongooseshares a similar opinion: “Pretty much everyone is awful except for Clint Eastwood.” Although it makes sense that viewers point this out, it doesn’t hurt to keep in mind that the kids weren’t actually professional actors, but regular people picked from the community to realistically represent the Hmongs.
13’Four Weddings and a Funeral' (1994)
Four Weddings and a Funeralis a highly popular comedy-drama centering aroundHugh Grant’s charming but insecure committed bachelor, who, throughout the course of five social occasions, must consider the notion that he may or may have not finally found love.
While the movie is undoubtedly entertaining (even ifit lacks chemistry between the two leads), one specific character managed to get on Redditors' nerves. “Maybe an unpopular one butAndie Macdowellin four weddings and a funeral. Still a great film but her character irritates me a lot,“sugmamale234admitted, and many people seemed to agree.
Watch on Tubi
12’War of the Worlds' (2005)
Howard Overman’s underrated sci-fi disaster filmWar of the Worlds, based onH.G. Wells' classic of the same name, depicts a mankind-threatening alien invasion depicted through the eyes of one American family fighting for survival.
According to a now-deletedRedditor,Dakota Fanning’s character seems to be the major issue in the film. “I get what they were going for with how a child would naturally respond but my god did the screaming hurt my ears every time,” they wrote, clarifying that they don’t hate the actress but rather could not deal with “the constant screaming,” which “got annoying after a while.”
Watch on Fubo
11’The World is Not Enough' (1999)
In thisPierce Brosnan-led thirdJames Bondinstallment, the iconic agent unearths a nuclear plot while he is assigned to protecting an oil heiress (Sophie Marceau) from her former kidnapper, an international terrorist who can’t feel pain.
RELATED:The Best Pierce Brosnan Movies, Ranked According to Rotten Tomatoes
Nuclear weapons expert Dr. Christmas Jones (DeniseRichards) seems to be the problem inThe World is Not Enough, with many people agreeing that the actress wasn’t the best choice for the role.Drogyn1701, for one, even goes as far as saying that “if someone more believable than Denise Richards had been cast as the nuclear scientist inThe World is Not Enough, I think it would have been one of the best Bond films of all time.”
10’Scanners' (1981)
1981 movieScanners—David Cronenberg’s dark sci-fi story—introduces audiences to Scanners, also known as men and women born with incredible telepathic and telekinetic powers. While some are responsible and mean no harm, others plan on creating a race that will slowly take over the planet.
Even if it makes for an intriguing and mind-blowing watch,Scannersfeatures flaws in the acting department, at least according to Reddit. “Stephen Lack, who plays the main character, puts on one of the worst performances in film history. Unbelievably flat,“MondoUndergroundwrote, highlighting how much of a pity it is since everything else in the film is wildly good.
Watch on Max
9’Pacific Rim' (2013)
Guillermo del Toro’sPacific Rimfollows a former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and a trainee (Rinko Kikuchi) who are coupled together in order to save the world from the apocalypse during a war between mankind and gigantic sea creatures known as Kaiju.
Acting aside, people on Reddit consider the sci-fi fantasy film a good watch. “Pacific Rim. Decent movie with bad acting,“doucheplayersays. In the same thread, anotherReddit userquickly comes to the film’s defense and remarks that the performances weren’t actually that bad – it was all about the “cheesy lines.”
Watch on DIRECTV
8’Kingdom of Heaven' (2005)
Focusing on the journey of a blacksmith named Balian who recently lost his mother,Ridley Scott’s epic historical fiction drama (featuring one of thehighest body counts in film) is a bloodthirsty and violent film set during the Crusades of the 12th century that follows the characters' turbulent and bloody adventure, which soon leads to the Battle of Hattin.
While someRedditorsagree thatOrlando Bloom’s acting was the major issue in the movie, others believe that his character was simply miscast. On the platform,GalleonCauldronwrites, “Orlando Bloom inKingdom of Heavenwas atrocious,” to which a now-deletedRedditorreplies, “I didn’t think his acting per se was bad… I just don’t think he has the gravitas to carry that role. Just a bad piece of casting.”
Watch on Prime Video
7’Godzilla' (2014)
At this point, everyone’s at least heard aboutGodzilla– the implacable King of The Monsters, a destructive creature who indiscriminately attacks and even kills other beings. The 2014 monster film directed byGareth Edwards(the first film in Legendary Pictures' MonsterVerse) follows the ancient predator’s battle with hostile opponents that threaten the survival of humanity.
RELATED:The King of the Monsters Returns in First ‘Godzilla Minus One’ Trailer
AsDoctorboffinsuggests, the epic monster film is not so bad even if it features questionable acting performances: “Aside from [Bryan]Cranstonthe new Godzilla had pretty bad acting, but it was amazingly shot, directed, choreographed, etc.”
6’The Godfather Part III' (1990)
Francis Ford Coppola’s third and last entry forThe Godfathercenters around 60-year-old Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as he seeks to remove himself from the crime world and legitimize his family’s interests while trying to find a worthy successor.
A popular opinion regarding the subject on the platform,ryl00reveals in a commentthat the filmmaker’s daughter’s acting inthe iconic gangster filmis a huge letdown: “I can’t even think about it. I am sure she is a lovely person and she is a great director butSofia Coppolaruined it beyond salvation.”
