The 10 most iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies, ranked

It is no wonder that there are some of the most iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies in film history. An auteur and a filmmaker, Anderson is an astute director who is known for his symmetry, cinematography, and play with colors. The director has given audiences some of the most entertaining movies that have an intricately crafted narrative. Known for his attention to detail, the director is able to create memorable characters in his movies, even if they are not the protagonists. From minor roles to the central protagonists, Anderson is able to infuse complexity in his characters. Here are 10 iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies that are known for their complexity, quirks, and important to the narrative of the movie.

---

Dmitri, Margot Tenenbaum, and other iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies

10. Roebuck Wright

Played by Jeffrey Wright, Roebuck Wright is an important character in The French Dispatch. The Wes Anderson directorial is an anthology comedy drama movie that follows multiple storylines as the bureau of a fictional newspaper publishes its final issue. The movie follows the expatriate authors working on the paper, where each of them feels a sense of isolation. When the paper’s editor, Arthur (Bill Murray) dies, the writers come together to publish a final issue of the newspaper. One interesting character is Roebuck Wright, who is the paper’s food writer and authors the final article in the final edition of the paper. Wright talks about his “solitary feast” of a lifestyle and gives a riveting tale of being entangled in a kidnapping plot. Wright is a figure that highlights the theme of loneliness that the movie posits as being necessary for creativity. He is one of those iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies that proves that the director fleshes out intelligent and quirky characters for all his movies.

---

9. Dmitri

Part of the comedy drama movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel by Wes Anderson, this character is played by Adrien Brody. Dmitri is someone who has the outward appearance of a one-dimensional figure, but he actually has layers. Dmitri stands for the fascist-minded man in the movie and is easily triggered. However, the movie also shows his hidden side. The movie showcases that Dmitri has a childlike perseverance, even though he has a brash exterior. The movie has a huge ensemble cast and Dmitri still stands out. The movie is about a concierge at a famous 20th-century mountainside resort in a European country. While the movie focuses on the concierge who is framed for murder and must prove his innocence, the movie is also set in the backdrop of an encroaching fascist regime, and therefore Dmitri’s character has socio-political implications. He is one of those iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies that is complex.

---

8. The Host

Asteroid City is a science fiction comedy drama by Wes Anderson that has a huge ensemble cast as most of Anderson’s movies tend to have and focuses on a play about a Stargazing convention. However, the movie is metatextual as the play is also the subject matter of a television documentary. The film has themes of UFOs and aliens that are witnessed in the American Southwestern desert, where the atomic test sites were created after World War II. The Host is a character played by Bryan Cranston, who is the host of the television documentary that provides information about the creation and production of the play. He is an important character as he sets up the context of the play, introduces the narrative to the viewers, and explains about the play’s author, Conrad Earp. Narrators play an important part in the director’s movies. He is therefore, one of the iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies. The Host is present throughout the movie and allows the movie to come together. Even though he is one of the iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies.

---

7. Jane Winslett-Richardson

Played by Cate Blanchett in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Jane is a character that serves as the lynchpin for the movie’s protagonist, Steve (Bill Murray). The adventure comedy-drama is Wes Anderson’s fourth movie and even though it received mixed reviews upon release, it is now considered a cult classic. The film is about Steve, a quirky oceanographer, who wants to get revenge against the shark that ate his partner. However, the movie is more about his personal struggles. While a pilot called Ned (Owen Wilson), claims to be Steve’s illegitimate son, there is pregnant reporter, Jane, who spends her time trying to develop a story about Steve and his life and covers his family drama and oceanic adventures. Jane is important and a layered character as she finds out many of the important revelations in the movie due to her curious nature. She and Steve even share an important moment in the movie, where he opens up to her, even though he is generally evasive. Jane also forms a bond with Ned and therefore, she is one of those iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies that plays a special role in the film.

---

6. Sam Shakusky and Suzy Bishop

Moonrise Kingdom is a coming-of-age comedy drama movie by Wes Anderson that is set on a fictional island and tells the story of an orphan boy Sam (Jared Gilman), who escapes a scouting camp to be with his pen pal and crush, Suzy (Kara Hayward). While the two comes to terms with their feelings, the island’s police try to search for them. The movie has an important theme, where it revolts against the adult world, as symbolized by Sam and Suzy’s abandon. The two protagonists play and important role in the movie as their adventure embodies the freedom of youth. They are therefore, iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies. As a coming-of-age story, the movie highlights the complexities that the pre-teen duo face in understanding their feelings and Anderson’s attention to detail allows the two characters to be fully fleshed out with lots of layers. The two are therefore one of the iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies that are highly memorable.

---

5. Margot Tenenbaum

Played by Gwyneth Paltrow in The Royal Tenenbaums, Margot is a captivating character. She is therefore one of the iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies. The tragicomedy is about three siblings who were gifted in their childhood but face failure in their adulthood. Amidst all this, their eccentric father leaves them in their younger years, only to return when they have grown and tries to reconcile with them. The movie is one of Wes Anderson’s famous movies and focuses on the complex dynamics of a wounded family. Margot is important as she is the only adopted child in the family and is the only daughter. Therefore, she feels isolated from her genius siblings and she carries this isolation as a mysterious aura around her. Part of her appeal is her disdain for everyone and everything, which creates a habit of secrecy. Margot also has other complexities as she feels close to the other adopted sibling in the family, even though it is a taboo. She is the one who writes a play about her own family’s complexities and is therefore one of the iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies.

---

4. Zero Moustafa

The Grand Budapest Hotel is another one of those movies by Wes Anderson that is highly successful, both commercially and critically. The comedy drama has a huge cast and is known for its lush cinematography. Amidst all the character however, the role of Moustafa shines. He is therefore, one of the iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies. Played by Tony Revolori and F. Murray Abraham, Zero is the loyal protégé of the film’s protagonist, Monsieur Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), who is a concierge at the titular hotel and is accused of murder and theft. The film is full of mayhem and chaos and Gustave and Zero are the two most important characters in the film. The movie primarily focuses on Gustave, who is accused of murder and theft after his patroness dies and leaves him with a famous painting that points all fingers towards him. However, the role of narrators is important in Wes Anderson movies as mentioned before and Zero is not only the loyal student of Gustave, but also the narrator of the film, which is revealed at the end. Therefore, Zero has a double role in the movie, both as a younger version and a senior version and also as the apprentice and the narrator. Known for his hysterics, he is one of those iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies.

---

3. Scout Master Ward

Played by Edward Norton in Moonrise Kingdom, the character of Scout Master Ward is one of the iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies. Even though Norton is known for playing serious roles, he can tap into his comedic side well and he proves that as the overly enthusiastic Scout Master Ward, he can lend the movie plenty of charm. The character is iconic because even though he is a secondary character, Scout Master Ward, leaves an impression upon the audiences. Known for his gimmicky and over-the-top nature, the character adds to the movie’s humor and has so many ludicrous shows of emotions and costumes that he stands out as a character in the movie. Even though he is an adult, his gimmicky nature is one of the reasons why the film’s young protagonists, Sam and Suzy, decide to revolt against the world of adults. Norton however, imbibes the character with charm and winsomeness that makes Scout Master Ward one of the iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies.

---

2. Monsieur Gustave H.

Played by Ralph Fiennes in The Grand Budapest Hotel, Gustave is the primary hero of the movie and has lots of character quirks that make him one of the most iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies. Flamboyant, womanizer, and loyal to the royalty of a lost past, Gustave, is an interesting character. Fiennes delivers a commanding performance as the charming concierge who is steadfast in his job of maintaining the standards of his hotel. He has an air of quiet nobility and even when he finds himself in trouble, he holds on to his principles. Gustave is a character the steals the screen in any scene that he is in. His friendship with Zero, his protégé, is heartening to watch and shows his noble and endearing character. Gustave also has some of the best comedic moments in Wes Anderson’s movies and his character has a timeless quality that makes him one of the most iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies.

---

1. Steve Zissou

The protagonist of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Steve, played by Bill Murray, is the complicated central hero. Even though he is aging and is past his prime, he decides to take revenge on the shark that killed his friend and business partner, Esteban, while filming their last documentary. There is therefore an elusiveness and sadness to the character of Steve, that is exemplified by Murray. He is therefore one of those iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies. The revenge on the shark is an effort by Steve to feel heroic once again and even though he knows that his age is catching up, he wants to ignore that facet of his life. Steve is a complicated and layered character and also comes off as annoying at times as he has mood swings and is often reckless. Steve’s confession at the end, that he never wanted to be a father is a central characteristic of his persona that wants to stay in his solitary sadness at all times. Complex and dark, Steve is one of the iconic characters from Wes Anderson movies who is flawed and relatable.