6. Cleon – The Warriors (1979)
A bona fide cult classic, The Warriors is one of the best films of the ’70s. The unique nature of its story and world has helped it survive long beyond its release, with audiences still enjoying the movie long after its time. Its compelling characters contributed in a large way to that success, particularly the members of the titular gang. However, there is one important character that the film wasted: Cleon.
Cleon is the leader of the Warriors, and he’s the one that leads them to hear Cyrus’s proposal at the beginning of the movie. When Cyrus is killed, Cleon is framed for his murder, and he is immediately set upon and killed by the crowd at the end of the film’s opening scene. Cleon’s death sets up much of the film’s story, forcing Swan to step up and lead the gang to safety, but it still feels like a huge wasted opportunity.
Other media has established Cleon as an interesting character and excellent leader, and his unceremonious death at the beginning of The Warriors feels particularly insulting when considered against the franchise’s wider story. It’s also never really explained exactly why Cleon is chosen as the patsy (other than the vague hint of gang rivalry) and it seems as though his death is simply a matter of bad luck. It’s an important moment in The Warriors, but it still feels like cheap way to dispose of such a promising character.