10 Saddest Character Deaths In 2024 Movies

This article contains spoilers for several of the biggest moves of 2024. As with any year, there have been a wide variety of movies in 2024 that left a big impact on audiences. Whether it’s big-screen blockbusters or low-budget dramas, the year has been full of interesting films that have made their mark, and one of the best ways to leave an impression on your audience is by killing off a beloved character. Deaths are an important part of any story and are often moments that are remembered long after the credits roll. The most heartbreaking movie deaths are the ones that viewers never see coming, and 2024 had plenty of them.

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However, a death in a well-executed film is not only one that shocks and upsets the audience, but must also serve a very specific purpose that enhances the film through its inclusion. Even movie villain deaths can be great and sometimes sad, if done with enough empathy and purpose. 2024 had several films that accomplished this feat, removing its most complex and polarizing characters in ways that constantly surprised audiences and subverted expectations.

10 Skye Riley (Smile 2)

Played by Naomi Scott

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Although the death of Skye Riley in Smile 2The final scene was more scary than emotional, it’s still an incredibly sad scene due to the amount of trauma and stress the character went through in the film, all for nothing. The use of practical effects in this final scene is amazing, and Parker Finn’s direction does a great job of showing the audience fair enough without turning his death into an unnecessary spectacle.

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9 Sister Barnes (heretic)

Played by Sophie Thatcher

Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East riding their bikes in Heretic

Hugh Grant is without a doubt the star of the show in Hereticbut the two lead performances by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East also deserve recognition for their ability to create so much sympathy and empathy for their characters. The audience really cares about them as they go through numerous torturous trials, which is why Barnes’ sudden death is such a depressing surprise. It’s the clear turning point of the film, and his character’s absence is really felt afterwards.

8 Arthur Fleck (Joker: Folie a Deux)

Played by Joaquin Phoenix

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The death of Arthur Fleck at the end of Joker: Folie à Deux It was extremely unexpected, and although the character was objectively a bad person, you can still feel some sympathy for the fact that his death came as a result of his attempt to repent for his crimes. It’s a striking statement from director Todd Phillips about the cyclical nature of evil, ending his film on a sour note that intentionally leaves audiences unsatisfied.

7 Lucilla (Gladiator 2)

Played by Connie Nielsen

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Although Lucilla did not play a very important role in Gladiator 2The character remains an important part of this series, and his death in the final moments of the sequel was a devastating scene. She was one of the only figures who was always willing to risk her life to achieve her father’s vision of Rome as a functioning democracy, and the fact that she had to die before seeing this dream come true is a tragic ending. to his bow.

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6 Kay (alien: Romulus)

Performed by Isabela Merced

Isabela Merced's Kay looks worried in Alien Romulus

Kay is one of Alien: Romulus‘ more relatable and likable characters, which is why their death in the film’s final act is so disturbing. The film almost tricks the audience into believing the conflict is over, defeating the first wave of aliens they have been fighting for most of the story, before abruptly killing Kay and introducing an even more dangerous enemy to the remaining characters. It’s a shocking moment that really subverts expectations, and although the audience doesn’t have much time to grieve, Kay’s death is still sad.

5 Gerald (bombing)

Played by Paul Weller

Gerald (Paul Weller) carrying his cat Olly in Blitz
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Steve McQueen aerial bombardment is one of the most emotional films of 2024, but the scene that really made audiences cry the most was right at the end, when young George returns home and discovers that his grandfather has died after a Nazi air raid. This shocking death seems to come out of nowhere, but that’s exactly why it’s so powerful: it shows that no one was safe during the war and that innocent lives were always at risk.

4 Samira (A Quiet Place: Day One)

Performed by Lupita Nyong’o

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Samira’s death at the end of A Quiet Place: Day One It’s a noble sacrifice that the film does a great job working on gradually. The story leaves plenty of hints that he may not be able to continue much longer, so when the time comes to risk his life, it feels like a well-deserved moment that fits his character perfectly.

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3 Sammy (Civil War)

Played by Stephen McKinley Henderson

Stephen McKinley Henderson as Sammy with a press badge around his neck in Civil War Image via A24

Sammy’s character serves as a beacon of hope and optimism in Civil warso when he is abruptly killed towards the end of the film, it’s a clear statement from director Alex Garland about the indiscriminate nature of war. His death extinguishes all the light in this story, and the characters’ emotional goodbyes really drive this point home.

2 Vincent (his three daughters)

Played by Jay O. Sanders

Carrie Coon and Elizabeth Olsen look at something off-camera while sitting at the kitchen table in Three Daughters.

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Although Vincent barely appears in his three daughtershis death is a pivotal moment that seems inevitable after all the conflicts and resolutions that led up to it. It is his children who take center stage for most of the film, but Vincent’s appearance at the end of his three daughters It’s a gripping scene that speaks volumes to the film’s key themes: regret and repentance.

1 Almut (We live in time)

Played by Florence Pugh

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Although it is clear from the beginning of We live in time As Almut approaches his final days, that doesn’t make his implied death at the end of the story any easier. The film spends a lot of time discussing the importance of prioritizing what really matters in life, and Almut’s death really highlights the idea that no one ever knows how much time we have left.

We live in time_movie_poster

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10/10 We live in timeRomanceDrama

An ingenious chef and a recently divorced woman have a chance encounter that changes their lives. As their love story develops, they build a life together, but a hidden truth threatens to unravel their relationship, bringing humor, drama, and emotional depth to their journey.

Release Date October 11, 2024 Duration 107 minutes Main Genre Romance Cast Florence Pugh, Andrew Garfield, Adam James, Marama Corlett, Aoife Hinds, Nikhil Parmar, Heather Craney, Sarah Moyle Director John Crowley Writers Nick Payne Expand ✕ Remove ads

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