The Transformers franchise is known for its giant robots engaged in intense battles, but it has had a hard time creating compelling human characters. While some characters are unbearable, others add nothing to the plot or even detract from it. Michael Bay, despite his reputation, has not been the only director guilty of this. Below are the ten most detestable human characters in the Transformers franchise.
Starting the list at number ten is Miles Lancaster, played by John Robinson, in the first Transformers film. Miles is Sam’s “best friend” but quickly disappears from the plot, leaving little impression on the audience. He serves as a cliché best friend character with little personality or significance to the plot.
Lucas Flannery, played by T.J. Miller, in Transformers: Age of Extinction. Lucas is a shallow character who betrays his friends for money. He is one of the lesser evils, but his stupid decision to sell out his “friends” puts them in grave danger throughout the movie. Tessa Yeager, played by Nicola Peltz, in Transformers: Age of Extinction. Tessa is a classic example of the Bay films’ mistreatment of female characters. She is reduced to a damsel in distress and exists merely to serve her father’s character arc. She has several opportunities to be more significant but is largely underutilized.
Sam Witwicky, played by Shia LaBeouf, in the original Transformers trilogy. Sam is the first Transformers protagonist, widely criticized for being a shallow character. His character weakens as the series progresses, and LaBeouf’s declining enthusiasm for the role is apparent. Viviane Wembly, played by Laura Haddock, in Transformers: The Last Knight. Viviane is an ancestor of Merlin and serves as an annoyingly predictable British stereotype. Her relationship with Cade is largely forced, and she is the only character able to wield Merlin’s staff without any compelling reason.
Shia LaBeouf, in the original Transformers (Via IMDB)
Cade Yeager, played by Mark Wahlberg, in the fourth Transformers film. Despite his potential, Cade is remarkably worse than Sam Witwicky. He is a typical “manly-man” character with zero chemistry with the Autobots. His jerk-like personality makes him unlikable and a wasted opportunity.
Shane Dyson, played by Jack Reynor, in Transformers: Age of Extinction. Shane is a completely useless character with one of the worst moments in the franchise: the “Romeo and Juliet Law” scene. He is introduced alongside Tessa and serves no significant purpose other than causing awkwardness and frustration. Carly Spencer, played by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Carly is the epitome of Bay’s mistreatment of female characters in the franchise. She exists merely to serve as a damsel in distress, with little personality or significance to the plot.
Leo Spitz, played by Ramon Rodriguez, in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Leo is introduced as Sam’s roommate in college and only exists to connect the crew with Agent Simmons again. He serves little purpose and is one of the worst characters in the series. Sam’s parents, Ron and Judy Witwicky, played by Kevin Dunn and Julie White, in the first three Transformers films. Sam’s parents are pointless characters who add nothing to the plot. Their humor is forced, and their removal would not affect the films in any meaningful way.
