It is no secret that the 21st century and the digital era seem to have birthed some highly toxic dating habits, and, after the film After We Collided, we have decided to list five film couples we really shouldn't be romanticising.
5. Belle and The Beast - Beauty and The Beast
While we love a tale of redemption, Belle isn't really with the Beast because she wants to be there but because she is a captive. He is mean and has a bad temper, leading some people to believe that her attraction to him may very well be a result of Stockholm syndrome.
4. Bella and Edward - Twilight
An on-screen romance that came true. As beautiful as this sounds, their characters on the Twilight Saga have a humongous age difference. Edward who is a 100+-year-old vampire is into a 17-year-old Bella. He's creepy and often sneaks into her room to watch her sleep, gives her anxiety and even drives her to suicide attempts. In the end, she eventually gives up everything for him and agrees to become a vampire so they can be together forever.
So toxic!
3. Allie and Noah – The Notebook
The Notebook is one of the most famous romantic films ever made.
Allie and Noah's relationship is problematic from the get-go. The pair meet at a fair, and when Allie rejects Noah's advances, he proceeds to hang on Ferris wheel, threatening suicide until she agrees to a date. After the carnival, he continues to hound her until she gives in, and during their relationship, they often have arguments that turn violent followed by enthusiastic make-ups that are depicted as a result of how crazy they are for each other, rather than toxic behaviour.
Even when they decide to rekindle their romance years later, Allie is cheating on her fiancée.
2. Andie and Ben - How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days
This film is a prime example of toxic behaviours within relationships. Andie Anderson, an advice columnist, decides to use Ben Barry, a marketing executive, as a guinea pig for an assignment on how to lose a guy in ten days using a playbook. Unknown to her, Ben is also deceitful and has made a bet with friends that he can make any woman fall in love with him within ten days. The two are insincere and manipulate each other throughout the experience, with Andie in the end even giving up a dream job interview for a guy she's been dating for only ten days.
We’re gagging too!
1. Carrie Bradshaw and Mr Big – Sex and the City
Our favourite fashionista and city girl Carrie Bradshaw is seen as an independent, sexually liberated woman until Mr Big comes into the picture. We then see her chasing after a man who is emotionally unavailable and sees her as disposable. During the series transcending into the movies, he never fully commits to her although, she gives him more chances than he deserves, even after he ditches her at the altar!
They eventually marry quietly and celebrate with friends however, even the author of the book on which the story is based hates them together.
Which pairing is the most toxic on-screen couple according to you?
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