Much of the plot of Dear Evan Hansen is driven by Evan's lies and deceit. As a result, his constant deception puts the other characters in difficult positions. Some of the characters are able to overcome this and endear themselves to the audience, while others make decisions that cause the audience to turn against them.
Based on the film's overall tone and message, none of the characters are meant to be intentionally unlikable, but some of them make choices that make it hard to root for them. Additionally, some of the characters are compelling and entertaining without actually being likable.
8 Connor Murphy
In the few scenes that Connor appears in onscreen, he is dealing with his own issues and does not make the best impression as he lashes out at Evan multiple times. Additionally, Zoe shares some of his darkest moments when he lashed out at her, as well.
Connor is a complex and sympathetic character. His most likable moment comes as he is the only one who offers to sign Evan's cast, knowing that he does not have any other friends. Unfortunately, the audience just does not get to spend enough time with the character to see his more likable qualities.
7 Evan Hansen
While there has been a lot of debate about whether or not Ben Platt was the right casting choice for this coming-of-age film, he does bring a lot to the character that makes him sympathetic and understandable. He is funny, genuinely caring, and mainly just searching for acceptance. However, Evan's actions are so egregious and painful that it is hard to like him.
His lie deeply impacts the Murphys and puts them through unneeded stress and pain during one of the difficult times of their lives. Audiences may feel for him or root for him to do better, but it is hard to argue that the character is likable.
6 Alana Beck
Alana is one of the best characters in Dear Evan Hansen, and there are a lot of reasons for audiences to like her character. She uses her own personal struggle with depression and anxiety to motivate her to start the Connor Project and help others with their mental health issues. She is driven, inspirational, and a strong leader.
However, she makes one major decision that severely damages her likability. Despite Evan begging her not to, Alana uploads what she believes to be Connor's suicide note without asking his family for permission, causing the internet to turn on and harass the Murphys. It is a shocking decision that majorly harms the family.
5 Larry Mora
In the first half of the film, Larry appears to be just another stereotypical workaholic who does not have time for his family, as many of the worst movie dads tend to be. However, Larry is more complicated than that, and it becomes clear that his stoicism is just an attempt to be strong for his family.
As he drops this act and allows his real feelings to come through, he becomes far more likable. With his corny dad jokes and attempts at bonding over sports, Larry becomes the father figure that Evan has always wanted.
4 Jared Kalwani
Despite insisting that they are just family friends, Jared is one of Evan's closest friends and confidants. The fact that Jared does not seem to care as much about Evan as Evan does about him hurts his likability, especially when he is too busy texting to listen to Evan's personally important story about breaking his arm.
But, Jared is one of the funniest characters in the film, and his sarcastic humor helps break up the heaviness of the movie. While he is not the nicest or most compassionate character, he is an entertaining presence that adds to every scene he is in.
3 Heidi Hansen
From the beginning, it is clear that Heidi is pulled in too many directions, as she loves and cares about Evan but is also overwhelmed with work. She finds the time to pick out scholarships for Evan to apply to, and she takes the time to ask about Evan's life. It is clear that she loves him but the two cannot get on the same page.
While she makes some frustrating choices that hurt her likability such as canceling dinner with Evan and turning down the Murphys' offer to gift him the college fund, she more than makes up for it all with her touching expression of love and devotion in "So Big/So Small."
2 Cynthia Murphy
In her pain, Cynthia latches onto Evan's story and comes to see him as a son. She treats him exceptionally well, inviting him over for homemade meals, giving him gifts, and wanting the best for his future. Even after everything, she refuses to tell anyone what Evan has done because she cares about him and wants to look out for him.
While she can be a little overbearing and Zoe critiques the way she jumps from one way of life to another, her sweetness and maternal nature make her endearing. This is another great Amy Adams role, as she brings nuance and depth to the character, helping to make Cynthia one of the most likable and sympathetic characters in the film.
1 Zoe Murphy
Audiences cannot help but sympathize with Zoe as she gets caught in the middle of everything that happens. She endures the mistreatment from her family and then the deception by Evan and still perseveres. She is a sweet and good-hearted person who does not deserve any of the pain she is forced to deal with.
Before she really knew Evan, she was kind enough to apologize for Connor's actions when he screamed at Evan. Even after everything Evan did, she still took him to the orchard so that he could experience it for himself. Funny and kind, Zoe is easily the most likable character in the movie.
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September 26, 2021 at 02:00AM
