8 Fictional Characters Who Have It Worse Than You

Different people have different ways of coping with a bad day. 
 

Some people turn to sports to sweat their sorrows away. 
 

Some would drive to the moon and back for happy hours, just to rant their hearts out in the presence of friends and lots (and lots!) of alcohol.  
 

And of course, there are those who use fiction to escape reality and to satisfy their secret sadistic side. 
 

Don’t deny it—Germans wouldn’t have invented the word “schadenfreude” if no person can derive pleasure from the misfortune of others. And sometimes, a healthy dose of schadenfreude can brighten up a bad day, making you realize that your life isn’t so bad after all. So if you think you’ve got it bad, just take a seat, pop these on iflix, Southeast Asia’s leading Internet TV service and home to tens and thousands of hours of TV shows and movies, and enjoy:

 

Joey Tribianni (Friends)

 

Freelancers and artists who don’t receive the stability of a nine-to-five job know that there are times so dire, you just need to sell out just to pay the bills. And nobody knows that pain better than Joey Tribianni (Matt LeBlanc), struggling actor extraordinaire. Tribianni is a New York-based “actor” whose credentials include: fully-clothed adult film extra, infomercial actor, coffee shop waiter, sperm donor, Christmas elf, and more. So if you’re feeling disheartened about the things you need to do to follow your dream, just think: at least you haven’t immortalized yourself in a Japanese commercial, endorsing blue lipstick…for men.

 

Will Graham (Hannibal)

 

Every once in a while, there will be someone you will love to hate…or hate to love. It can be your sister, your boyfriend, your colleague or a distant relative, and it can result to a full-blown fistfight or a series passive-aggressive Facebook posts. But before you agitate yourself even further, just be thankful that “that person” isn’t the ever-sinister Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen), who has made Will Graham’s (Hugh Dancy) life a living hell. Graham used to have a quiet life as an introverted, overachieving FBI profiler, until he crossed paths with Hannibal, “that person” who: tried turning him into a serial killer, force-fed him with a human ear, wrecked havoc in his sanity, framed him up for crimes he didn’t commit, and slept with his love interest. The kicker? They can’t seem to let go of each other because of some weird bond they share. Bromance status = It’s complicated.

 

Elliot Alderson (Mr. Robot)

 

Mental disorders are not something to be ashamed of, nor are they a laughing matter. Those who find themselves battling with depression, paranoia, or social anxiety can at least seek for comfort from their families, friends, and therapists. But not Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), the cyber genius who leads a double life (a cybersecurity engineer by day, a vigilante hacker by night). As if his lifestyle isn’t stressful enough, he’s also suffering from social anxiety disorder, depression, paranoia, and even delusions. And his way of coping? Through self-medication of morphine and even recreational drugs, of course. Kids, don’t try this at home.

 

Caroline Channing (2 Broke Girls)

 

Have you maxed out your credit card? Is that single five hundred-peso bill inside your wallet supposed to tide you over for the next few days, due to your daily artisanal coffee habit? Don’t feel too bad, because at least you’re still not as broke as 2 Broke Girls’ Caroline Channing (Beth Behrs). Caroline Channing is a rich, spoiled socialite who hit rock bottom with a bang after the government discovered her father’s illegal dealings, and took away everything from her fancy life (except for a silver belt and a pearl necklace she wears with her waitress uniform everyday. How sad.) Now, she gets to do odd jobs while supporting the start-up cupcake business she co-owns with her fellow broke girl, Max Black (Kat Dennings).

 

Noah Calhoun (The Notebook)

 

If you’re feeling dejected about your love life (or the lack thereof), at least you still have a better chance at happiness than Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling), whose relationship with his love, Allie (Rachel McAdams), is the ultimate example of how tragic true love can be. Their relationship has gone through everything: from the Romeo-and-Juliet phase (thanks to Allie’s disapproving parents), the torn-between-two-lovers phase, to the I’m-sorry-but-do-I-know-you phase. Think about that the next time you pick a fight with your significant other—at least he’s just too busy watching Mr. Robot on iflix, and not suffering from dementia.

 

Derek Zoolander (Zoolander)

 

Are you feeling unappreciated? Have you reached your life’s crossroads? Whatever you’re feeling cannot compare to the life of male supermodel Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller), whose existential crisis after pathetically losing his throne to his rival Hansel (Owen Wilson), led to the gasoline-fueled demise of his friends, and him being brainwashed to become an assassin. Now, do you still dare to wonder if there was more to life other than being really, really, ridiculously good-looking?

 

John Constantine (Constantine)

 

Everybody who’s tried battling addiction knows how hard and depressing it is to withdraw from your vices. Days seem gloomier, you feel grumpier, and everything’s just plain terrible. But at least you’re not the chain-smoking, demon-fighting, John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), whose nicotine addiction paved the way for terminal lung cancer. Oh, and when he dies (which is already pretty imminent for his job as an exorcist), he’ll go straight to hell thanks to his past sins. How’s that for living on the edge?

 

Jane Nichols (27 Dresses)

 

One of the woes of being a single lady is to see your Tita look at you like you’re an injured puppy and exclaim, “Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.” Don’t let it get to you, because if there’s someone who deserves to have a panic attack for being single, it’s Jane Nichols (Katherine Heigl). Besides being head-over-heels in love with her oblivious boss for years, Nichols had to watch him get engaged to her annoying little sister, adding insult to the injury that is the 27 horrible bridesmaid dresses she has faithfully accumulated through the years. So cheer up: at least the bridesmaid dresses in your closet isn’t that awful…yet.

 

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