15 Worst-Written Love Interests in Recent Blockbusters

Not every big movie gives its romantic subplot the same attention as the main quest. Plenty of recent crowd pleasers introduce a partner or crush who matters to the hero but gets only a handful of scenes or a thin backstory. This list looks at love interests who were positioned as important to the lead while receiving limited development on the page compared to the action, lore, or ensemble around them.

You will see characters who show up with a clear connection to the protagonist and then spend much of the story reacting to events. Some are sidelined by world ending stakes. Some are defined mostly by how they affect the hero. In each case the focus is on what the films actually give these characters in terms of role, screen presence, and story purpose.

Iris West

Iris West appears in ‘The Flash’ as a journalist who knew Barry Allen from college and reconnects with him in Central City. The film frames their history through brief exchanges that establish familiarity and affection while keeping her separate from the multiverse conflict. She meets Barry for coffee, visits his apartment, and is present to witness changes in his life once the crisis resolves.

Her scenes anchor Barry to an everyday world outside speedster physics and temporal resets. The movie uses her profession to justify why she crosses paths with Barry during an investigation but does not tie her directly to the mission to save the timeline. The relationship thread begins and ends within a few beats without altering the central plan to undo catastrophic events.

Jenny Halsey

Jenny Halsey in ‘The Mummy’ is introduced as an archaeologist who once had a brief relationship with soldier of fortune Nick Morton. She is connected to the secret group Prodigium led by Dr Jekyll, which pulls her into the hunt for the sarcophagus and the curse that follows. The film pairs her with Nick as they flee supernatural threats across deserts and London.

Her role keeps her close to exposition and rescue moments as Prodigium studies the entity that has taken an interest in Nick. She provides historical knowledge and organizational access that move the plot from one set piece to the next. The connection to Nick gives the story a personal stake without changing Prodigium’s larger agenda.

Christine Palmer

Christine Palmer appears in ‘Doctor Strange’ as a talented surgeon at Metro General Hospital and a former partner of Stephen Strange. She assists in key medical sequences when Strange needs life saving help between mystical battles. Their shared past is shown through workplace familiarity and a few quiet conversations that underline how his choices affected their lives.

In ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ the story brings in a variant of Christine who works with the Baxter Foundation. She guides Strange and America Chavez through the rules of an alternate reality and helps contain dangerous magic. The wedding at the beginning and the farewell near the end bookend her connection to Strange while the multiverse conflict drives the main action.

Jane Foster

Jane Foster starts as an astrophysicist in ‘Thor’ whose research into wormholes leads her to Asgard’s prince. She becomes a key figure in ‘Thor: The Dark World’ when the Aether chooses her as a host, which places her at the center of the conflict while Asgardian forces fight to keep the relic out of enemy hands. Her scientific work and her link to Thor explain why multiple realms converge around her.

In ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Jane returns as the Mighty Thor after Mjolnir answers her call. The film shows how her condition shapes her choices and how wielding the hammer affects her time with Thor during the search for kidnapped children. Her presence aligns heroic action with personal history as the pair confront a vengeful foe.

Dane Whitman

Dane Whitman in ‘Eternals’ is a London museum worker in a relationship with Sersi when the Deviants reappear. He appears in early scenes that show Sersi’s human life before she rejoins her immortal family. The story leaves him on the sidelines as the Eternals grapple with cosmic duty and internal conflict.

He returns briefly as Sersi’s connection to the everyday world and receives a hint at his family lineage. A post credit moment teases a future path for Dane beyond his role as Sersi’s boyfriend. In the main plot he remains a point of contrast between mortal life and immortal obligation.

Anne Weying

Anne Weying in ‘Venom’ is Eddie Brock’s former fiancee and a successful attorney whose work intersects with the Life Foundation case. She helps Eddie after the symbiote bonds with him and later becomes a temporary host to Venom during a rescue sequence. Her legal expertise and willingness to intervene keep Eddie alive and out of custody.

In ‘Venom Let There Be Carnage’ Anne maintains a supportive connection while building a new life. She again assists during a crisis, coordinates with Eddie, and facilitates key meetups that set up the final fight. The dynamic establishes boundaries after their breakup while keeping her involved whenever Eddie needs help.

Viviane Wembly

Viviane Wembly in ‘Transformers The Last Knight’ is an Oxford professor and Arthurian scholar who becomes essential when ancient secrets surface. The plot identifies her as a descendant of Merlin, which makes her the only person able to wield a critical artifact. She joins Cade Yeager and the Autobots as they race to prevent Earth’s destruction.

Her expertise places her at the center of exposition about knights, dragons, and Cybertronian history. The film pairs her with Cade through bickering and shared danger, then uses that bond to mark a brief romantic turn near the end. The romance functions as a light payoff while the quest resolves around lineage and prophecy.

Tessa Yeager

Tessa Yeager in ‘Transformers Age of Extinction’ is Cade Yeager’s daughter and a teenager who keeps a secret relationship with rally driver Shane Dyson. The discovery of Optimus Prime drags the family into a hunt involving government agents and alien bounty hunters. Tessa’s capture by Lockdown propels Cade and the Autobots into rescue mode.

Her connection with Shane creates a parallel thread that the movie revisits during chases and escapes. She spends much of the story in peril as Cade and his allies track enemies across cities and skies. The romance remains in the background while the larger conflict transforms from survival to the defense of humanity.

June Moone

June Moone enters ‘Suicide Squad’ as an archaeologist possessed by the entity known as Enchantress. She is in a relationship with Colonel Rick Flag, which gives Amanda Waller leverage over both of them during Task Force X operations. When Enchantress breaks free, June becomes the host body for the central antagonist.

The film frames Rick’s choices through his desire to save June as the squad battles supernatural threats in a devastated city. Key beats hinge on the status of Enchantress’s heart and the hope that June can be separated from the entity. The romantic bond motivates decisions while the team’s mission drives the action.

Rose Tico

Rose Tico in ‘Star Wars The Last Jedi’ is a Resistance maintenance worker who pairs with Finn on a mission to find a codebreaker. Their journey to Canto Bight shows the scale of the war beyond the main fleet and brings them back with a risky plan. Rose’s values guide choices that shape Finn’s outlook by the end of the battle on Crait.

In ‘Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker’ she remains with the Resistance leadership and contributes to planning and analysis. The film keeps her near command as the heroes split into groups for the hunt that leads to Exegol. The earlier connection with Finn is acknowledged in passing while the campaign against the Final Order takes center stage.

Mera

Mera arrives in ‘Aquaman’ as a warrior princess of Xebel who pushes Arthur Curry to claim the throne of Atlantis. She travels with him through the desert and the Trench to locate the trident that will unite the kingdoms. Her abilities turn multiple fights and her knowledge of Atlantean politics moves the search forward.

In ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ she appears during critical battles and royal moments that tie Arthur’s family to the conflict on the surface and beneath the sea. The sequel concentrates on kingship, alliances, and a new threat to the ocean. Mera’s presence affirms Arthur’s legitimacy while the quest focuses on ancient power.

Elle Brody

Elle Brody in ‘Godzilla’ is a San Francisco nurse married to Navy officer Ford Brody. When the creatures converge on the city she becomes separated from Ford and works at the hospital as evacuees stream in. The film cuts between her attempts to reach safety with their child and the military mission to stop the monsters.

Her perspective shows the civilian experience during a citywide disaster. She communicates with Ford when possible and joins evacuation efforts as the battle escalates. The story ends with a family reunion after the kaiju leave the bay and the city begins to recover.

Chloe Frazer

Chloe Frazer in ‘Uncharted’ is a skilled treasure hunter who teams with Nathan Drake and Victor Sullivan to locate the Magellan fortune. She brings contacts, maps, and local knowledge that help the crew move from Barcelona to high seas clues. The partnership shifts as secrets come to light and competing interests collide.

Her history with Sullivan and her instincts for survival lead to a double cross that reshapes the hunt. The film presents flirtation with Nathan before separating allies and rivals in the final set pieces. She departs on her own path after the showdown while Nathan and Sullivan continue the search.

Jenny Kord

Jenny Kord in ‘Blue Beetle’ is the daughter of inventor Ted Kord and an executive at Kord Industries. She discovers how the Scarab is being misused inside the company and helps Jaime Reyes when the artifact bonds with him. Her access and family legacy set up the conflict with Victoria Kord and the OMAC project.

Jenny works with Jaime’s family to protect him and to recover technology from a hidden lair that belonged to her father. She guides Jaime through early challenges as he learns what the Scarab can do. The story places her at the center of corporate intrigue and leaves room for future discoveries about the Kord lineage.

Henry Turner

Henry Turner in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tales’ is the son of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann. He grows up determined to free his father from the curse of the Flying Dutchman and sets out to find the Trident of Poseidon. His quest leads him to cross paths with Jack Sparrow and astronomer Carina Smyth.

Henry and Carina travel together in pursuit of maps and celestial clues that point to the Trident. Their connection develops as they evade pirates and supernatural threats on the open sea. The journey culminates with the breaking of curses and a reunion that restores Henry’s family.

Share the ones you would add in the comments so everyone can compare notes on which love interests needed more story.