The Best Characters In Avatar: The Way Of Water, Ranked

When it comes to James Cameron's luscious 2009 blockbuster, "Avatar," audiences likely fall into one or two camps: they can't wait to rediscover the magic of Pandora or they can't wait to mock it. In the case of this writer, I fall somewhere that's a bit more in the grey zone (or blue, in this case). Sure, the original's "Ferngully-esque" plot (along with the "unobtanium" of it all) is something many viewers (myself included) have discussed ad nauseam. Surprisingly, in the case of its long-awaited sequel, "Avatar: The Way of Water," I found myself falling under the spell of something that was an annoyance in the first installment — the film's characters.

From the returning cast, who mostly have improved since the first film, to the new additions, who add youthful energy to "Avatar's" ever-expanding world, it's evident that each of these characters brings something fascinating to the narrative. Which among this odd sci-fi collective is the most interesting of the bunch? Who should be the focus of the future "Avatar" sequels? And who is the most likely to get fan fiction written about them? This list is here to answer all of those questions and more. So jump onto your favorite ikran or ilu, and let's discover which of the "Way of Water" characters left the most significant impact on the franchise.

When looking at Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri's family, their eldest son, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), is the apple of their eye. Not only is he the picture-perfect example of a future Na'vi tribe leader, but he wears his love for his Omaticaya clan roots on his sleeve as he honors their traditions and warrior customs. Neteyam is also an upstanding brother who exhibits selflessness in protecting his siblings from harm, regardless of how dangerous the situation may be. Plus, Neteyam is excellent at taking down bullies — a skill that always comes in handy, no matter the sci-fi circumstances.

However, with the script's tremendous foreshadowing and the various near-death experiences in the early battle sequences, it seems apparent that Neteyam is a goner from the start. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. Still, when a character comes across more like a glorified plot device rather than a fleshed-out protagonist, the impact of their eventual death can fall through the cracks. While Neteyam leaves an impression on the film's ensemble of Pandora natives, he deserved more time in this franchise than James Cameron allowed.

With her big eyes and bubbly persona, Tuktirey (aka. "Tuk," played by Trinity Jo-Li Bliss) is one of the cutest additions to the "Avatar" franchise. Not only is she a bright spot in an otherwise intense drama, but she also serves as a symbol of hope within the Sully family. Tuk is a supportive figure who displays loyalty whenever possible. This is especially true when it comes to her deep bond with her older adopted sister, Kiri (Sigourney Weaver). Tuk is also a scene stealer with some of the funniest lines in the movie, including an incredible one-liner about getting caught.

Easily, the best aspect of Tuk is that she isn't annoying. Often in blockbuster sci-fi movies, young children are a burden to the adult cast, especially when it comes to defeating the antagonist. Like most kids in James Cameron's movies, Tuk doesn't fall into that frustrating trope. Sure, the youngest Sully child has moments of complaining and getting into awkward situations (what kiddo doesn't?). Nevertheless, Tuk is a gem that I can't wait to see evolve throughout the series.

When it comes to Na'vi you don't want to mess with, the Metkayina Tsahìk Ronal (Kate Winslet) is at the top of the list. While she has stunning features that make her appear ethereal, Ronal is a no-nonsense matriarch who puts her community's safety above everything else. Much like Neytiri, Ronal is also incredibly spiritual, which makes her connections to the Tulkun more profound than just a silly relationship with a group of sci-fi whales. Ronal's most essential talents lie within her knowledge of traditional Na'vi medicine and her warrior skills. These aspects make her a trustworthy companion and a great ally in the greater war to come on Pandora. 

So why, with all of these qualities, is Ronal not ranked higher on this list? Well, it's mainly due to her screen time compared to the other characters. Like her husband, Tonowari, she has the potential to be a significant character in the franchise thanks to her fierce attitude toward her enemies. Could her soon-to-be-born child play a substantial role in future "Avatar" movies? That remains to be seen. Either way, it's clear that Ronal isn't just a one-off character in the franchise. Here's hoping we get to see her ride her tsurak into battle once again. 

There have been many significant whales in the grand scheme of pop culture history. From "Moby Dick" to "Free Willy," each of these stories has unique elements that make cinema a bit more interesting. Payakan, a member of the tulkun species, is as tragic as he is majestic. Having been involved in a horrific encounter with RDA whalers, Payakan knows firsthand what it is like to become an outsider when your community assumes the worst of you. This plays a large part in the majestic tulkun's relationship with Lo'ak, who similarly feels the immense pain of being ostracized by his family based on a misunderstanding.

What makes Payakan rank so highly on the list, aside from the fact that he's the coolest sidekick any alien teenager could ask for, is how he plays into the third act's climatic showdown. From his rage at seeing Lo'ak tied to the RDA Sea Dragon to his fantastic takedown of the cartoonishly evil Mick Scoresby (Brendan Cowell), there's no denying that Payakan's heroic efforts are some of the most rewarding parts of the movie. While we don't know if Payakan will play a role in future "Avatar" stories, here's hoping we get to see this space whale bodyslam a ship again sooner rather than later.

The only human of interest on this list, Miles "Spider" Socorro (played by Jack Champion), has a story that's one part "Tarzan" and one part Greek tragedy. Raised by the Na'vi after being abandoned on Pandora, Spider develops a deep bond with the Omaticaya clan, making him a fascinating addition to the Sully family. This is especially true of his connection to Jake Sully since Jake was once a human brought into the Na'vi world under similarly surprising circumstances. Yet, the most exciting aspect of Spider isn't that he relates more to aliens than humans. Instead, it all concerns his relationship with the Avatar form of his father, Quaritch.

Not only does Spider and Quaritch's dynamic explore the complexities of what it's like to have a villainous parent, but there's something compelling about watching Spider try to decide which world he belongs in. He has attachments to the Sully family but can't ignore his familial ties to Quaritch. That drive to find a connection is what makes Spider not only relatable but a character you root for. 

One of the most frustrating characters (if not the worst of the entire bunch) in the original "Avatar" is the cartoonishly villainous Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang). With his ridiculous manner of speaking and equally cringeworthy actions, he was the poster boy for forgettable sci-fi antagonists. So you can imagine my surprise that this new take on Quaritch completely shifted my perspective. Knowing James Cameron, this could have been his intent all along. But how could a character as one-note as the human Quaritch become so alluring in the sequel? It comes down to the multi-layered evolution his Avatar clone experiences in "Avatar: The Way of Water."

Quaritch is at an emotional fork in the road he has yet to fully acknowledge. He wants to fulfill his purpose of killing Jake Sully, but when he encounters Spider, Quaritch feels drawn to become a better person, resulting in the film's most tragic interactions. These elements, plus the promise that Quaritch's complicated story will progress in future "Avatar" sequels, make him a character worth investing in. When you combine the possibilities of his arc with Lang's underrated talents, Quaritch could become the most narratively rich character in the franchise.