2019 has reached its end and it has been another great year for movies. While we saw the return of (and said goodbye to) many beloved cinematic characters, several new characters stole our hearts in movies this year.
These new characters ranged from heroes to villains and even a few who are in the middle. They came from horror movies, dramas, comedies and more. They inspired and thrilled us while proving that each year in film can offer something you’ve never seen before. Here are the best new film characters from 2019.
Adelaide/Red (Us)
While Us may not have reached the same heights as Jordan Peele’s debut film Get Out, it was still a fascinating thriller and box office success. It also features one of the best performances of the year, which is sadly getting overlooked during awards season, by Lupita Nyong’o in the dual roles of Adelaide and Red.
While these are two different characters, they are mirrors of each other, so it feels appropriate to count them together. Both characters are thrilling to watch with Adelaide as a fiercely protective mother and Red as the vengeful outcast. They are characters who you could spend hours diving into their complexities.
Duke Caboom (Toy Story 4)
The highlg-anticipated Toy Story 4 was another Pixar triumph and the end of the franchise that started the whole Pixar adventure. But while we had to say goodbye to Woody and the gang, the show was stolen by a brand-new toy. Duke Caboom (voiced by Keanu Reeves) is a Canadian stuntman action figure who could never quite live up to his commercial.
Reeves delivers a hilarious performance as the self-conscious toy who is nonetheless eager to show off his theatrics. He was the perfect oddball addition to this final adventure.
Gigi (Booksmart)
A smaller movie that still made a significant impact this year as one of the best comedies of 2019 was Booksmart. The movie centers around two strait-laced academic girls who decide to finally let loose on the final day of high school. The movie follows the various misadventures of these girls, many of which involve the ever-present Gigi (Billie Lourd).
Gigi is a very passionate and protective friend to those close to her. She is also a total train wreck who seems to magically appear at every party our heroes end up at. Each time she pops up it gets funnier.
Grace (Ready Or Not)
One of the biggest surprises of the year was Ready or Not. The smaller horror-comedy followed a young woman named Grace (Samara Weaving) who was marrying into a wealthy board game family but first had to survive a deadly game of hide-and-seek as her in-laws hunted her.
Grace is the perfect hero for anyone who has dealt with crazy in-laws, although her misadventures probably help put things into perspective. She is a charming and funny woman, thanks to a winning performance from Weaving. The real reason we root for her is that she is a survivor, getting bloodier yet bolder as the film goes on.
Mysterio (Spider-Man: Far From Home)
Many Spider-Man fans wondered if the iconic yet ridiculous-looking villain Mysterio would ever be brought to life on the big screen. In Spider-Man: Far From Home, the MCU not only gave us a comic-accurate Mysterio, but they also got Jake Gyllenhaal to play him.
Though he looks like Mysterio from the comics, the character is a very different creation as we see his heroic side as an ally to Peter while also having plenty of secrets. Gyllenhaal seems to be having a ball with the role and his backstory brilliantly ties to the larger MCU. His big reveal is one of the most entertaining scenes of the year.
Ramona (Hustlers)
One of a handful of original films that broke through to great success in 2019 was Hustlers. A large part of that success could have something to do with Jennifer Lopez’s amazing turn as Ramona in the film.
She plays a talented but aging stripper who forms a crew of fellow dancers to ripoff the men they meet at the clubs. Aside from the incredible physical feats of the role, Lopez creates a funny, powerful, intimidating and ultimately loving maternal figure who is unconventional, to say the least.
Benoit Blanc (Knives Out)
Another success story that proves original movies can still bring in audiences is Knives Out. The movie features an all-star cast giving great performances, but Daniel Craig stands out as Benoit Blanc, the detective investigating this murder mystery.
Blanc is like a Southern version of Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot. A brilliant yet eccentric detective who finds the clues no one else can. He is the perfect man to have at the center of this whodunnit and Craig is fantastic in a rare comedic role. Here’s hoping we will see Blanc return in more mysteries.
Captain Marvel (The Marvel Cinematic Universe)
The MCU is already quite packed with heroes, but 2019 may have introduced its most powerful one yet. Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel was teased as a potential savior in the post-credit scene of Infinity War. This year, we finally got to see her in action in her own solo film before joining the other heroes in Avengers: Endgame.
Played with powerful confidence by Brie Larson, Captain Marvel proved herself to be a being of awesome power and an asset in the fight against Thanos. Though her Endgame role was smaller than expected, we’re already looking forward to her next adventure.
Arthur Fleck (Joker)
One of the most controversial and divisive movies of the year was Joker, but no one could stop talking about the central character of Arthur Fleck, played by Joaquin Phoenix. It is yet another stunning performance from the actor and one of the most unsettling protagonists in a major film in recent memory.
From Phoenix’s thin appearance to his unique movements to that haunting laugh, Fleck is a mesmerizing character as we see his spiral into madness. He is sometimes sympathetic, sometimes terrifying, sometimes funny and sometimes heartbreaking. It is another brilliant and different take on the iconic villain.
Cliff Booth (Once Upon A Time In Hollywood)
Whenever Quentin Tarantino releases a movie, you can bet there are going to be some memorable characters, but Cliff Booth might be the coolest one he ever created. Played with iconic swagger by Brad Pitt, Cliff is an aging Hollywood stuntman and best friend to Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio).
Despite having a poor reputation in town, Cliff lives a pretty laidback life. He does whatever work he can, hangs out with his buddy and goes home to his trusty dog. He is also a war hero with deadly skills which also come in handy. It is the kind of smooth and zen-like character we could watch all day long.
