When it comes to relationships between characters in movies, there are a number of different dynamics and conventions screenwriters like to follow in order to create conflict and strengthen development arcs. Take the enemies-to-friends trope, where two people who were originally at odds find common ground and are able to relate to each other. Then there’sthe popular enemies-to-lovers relationship, where two characters who initially can’t stand each other end up falling for one another.
RELATED:‘Creed III’: Final Trailer, Release Date, and Everything You Need to Know About Michael B. Jordan’s Directorial Debut
There’s also what may be the most tragic and high-stakes relationship - that of friends to enemies. Two people who once confided in and cared for each other are drawn apart due to newfound opposing beliefs or other external circumstances. It’s a story vehicle that has been utilized in many films over the years, and most recently inCreed III, the latest entry in the long-runningRockyfranchise.
10‘Creed III’ (2023)
Jonathan Majors as Damian Anderson and Michael B Jordan as Adonis Creed in Creed 3
Creed IIIsees Michael B. Jordan return as Adonis, son of Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), where he also makes his directorial debut. Adonis is thriving in both his personal and professional life, when an old childhood friend named Damian (Jonathan Majors) resurfaces.
Damien was a boxing prodigy before serving time in prison and is now keen to prove himself in the ring after having been released. This is much more than a simple fistfight, as Damien believes Adonis took the life and glory that could have been his. With everything to lose for Adonis and nothing for Damien, the stage is set for a tense showdown.
9‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ (2021)
Set in the divided fantasy world of Kumandra, Disney’sRaya and the Last Dragonfollows the titular Raya (Kelly Marie Tran) as she seeks out the titular last dragon (Awkwafina) in order to save Kumandra from an all-consuming plague.
At the beginning of the film, a young Raya befriends Naamari (Gemma Chan), the daughter of the Chief of the Fang tribe. When Raya shows her the location of the orb that protects Kumandra, Naamari betrays her, giving her own tribe a chance to steal the orb. As adults, the two become enemies as they fight to protect their homes.
8‘The Prince of Egypt’ (1998)
Widely regarded asone of Dreamworks Animation’s best films,The Prince of Egyptis the musical adaptation of the biblical story of Moses. In the film, Egyptian prince Moses (Val Kilmer) learns of his true Hebrew identity and his destiny to lead his people to freedom.
Moses’s brother, Ramses (Ralph Fiennes), rules ruthlessly over the Hebrews as Pharaoh, causing a divide between the siblings who grew up as best friends. While Ramses chooses oppression for the Hebrews as Moses calls for their freedom, the pair’s views are too opposed to one another for there to be any reconciliation.
7‘Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith’ (2005)
“You were my brother, Anakin! I loved you” is the line that sums up the tragedy of the fallout between Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) after the latter’s turn to the dark side inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
Obi-Wan and Anakin began their relationship as mentor and mentee, where the Jedi Master trained his Padawan in the ways of the force. However, Anakin is tempted by the dark side of the force, betraying Obi-Wan and leading to a fiery battle and irreversible rift between the two.
RELATED:‘Star Wars’: Key Moments In Obi-Wan And Anakin’s Relationship
6‘The Fox and the Hound’ (1981)
Animated Disney movies sure know how to get the waterworks flowing, andThe Fox and the Houndisn’t any different. The film tells the story of the unlikely childhood friendship between Tod (Mickey Rooney), a red fox, and Copper (Kurt Russell), a hound dog.
As the two enter adulthood, Tod becomes a wild fox and Copper a hunting dog. The pair are drawn apart due to the pressures of society and the fact that they should naturally be enemies. They eventually end up on opposite sides of a human hunter’s gun, and what’s most heartbreaking is the external factors that fracture this perfectly functioning friendship.
5‘X-Men: First Class’ (2011)
X-Men: First Classis the origin story movie that sees a young Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) before they were Professor X and Magneto. During the Cold War, the two mutants team up to find others like them to help prevent a nuclear attack.
While the pair start out as friends with the same goal, they ultimately have different moral values. Erik grew up being tortured by scientists and believes mutants can only thrive if humanity is extinct, whereas Charles believes humans can be educated and live peacefully alongside mutants. The film ends with the two on opposite sides of the ensuing war.
4‘The Social Network’ (2010)
The Social Networktells the true storyofMark Zuckerberg(Jesse Eisenberg) and the creation of the social media mammoth Facebook. While Zuckerberg is mostly known as the sole founder of the website, the film highlights his fallout with co-founderEduardo Saverin(Andrew Garfield).
Although Facebook turns out to be a huge success, Eduardo is cut out of the business, with his shares diluted, and therefore throws a huge lawsuit upon Mark. Eduardo was the only close friend Mark had before Facebook, and the betrayal is worthy of Eduardo memorably smashing Mark’s computer in front of several employees.
3‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016)
Formerly the two poster boys for the Avengers,Captain America: Civil Warsees the differences between Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) boil to new heights when a political disagreement sees them on different sides of the battlefield.
The government decides to push for a law that limits and controls the actions of superheroes, which Tony supports due to the mass destruction of cities. However, Steve believes the government can’t be relied on and is opposed to its implementation. This leads to Captain America and Iron Man no longer fighting side by side against the enemy, but each other.
RELATED:Ways ‘Captain America: Civil War’ Improved on the Comics
2‘Spider-Man 3’ (2007)
In the firstSpider-Manmovie, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) and Harry Osborn (James Franco) are two naive high school students and the best of friends. This is no longer the case inSpider-Man 3, where Harry is set on getting revenge on Spider-Man for the death of his father.
Unaware that Peter is Spider-Man, Harry believes the web-slinging hero is responsible for the death of Norman Osborn (Willem Defoe), even though he actually tried to save him. Harry takes on his late father’s villainous alter-ego, The Green Goblin, and sets out to kill Spider-Man - and his former friend - himself.
1‘Goodfellas’ (1990)
GoodfellasisMartin Scorsese’s mobster masterpiece, following the true story of gangsterHenry Hill(Ray Liotta) and his involvement with fellow criminalsTommy DeVito(Joe Pesci) andJimmy Conway(Robert De Niro) in the Italian-American mafia.
Henry’s goal is to climb all the way to the top of the hierarchy of the Mob, and throughout the course of the film, he and Tommy are inseparable. When tensions rise, Henry begins to distance himself, and eventually becomes an FBI informant. Henry helps the organization take down Tommy, proving that loyalty and trust is hard to come by in the criminal underworld.
NEXT:For the Love of Money: The Best Movies About Greed, from ‘Goodfellas’ to ‘Jurassic Park’
