Can’t Hardly Wait: Main Characters Ranked, According To Likability

Can’t Hardly Wait showcases an ensemble cast. They present several quirky personalities coming together for one final high school party following graduation. In the process, students like Preston Meyers and Amanda Beckett are forced to grow up quickly on one eventful night.  Often feeling like a time capsule, many audiences call Can’t Hardly Wait an undeniably 90s coming-of-age movie.

As the film’s several personalities are introduced, they present their likability with their actions and attitudes. Some characters like Kenny Fisher let their insecurities get the best of them, while others like William Lichter have a sense of respect for most others throughout.

Mike Dexter

Peter Facinelli’s Mike is one of the movie’s main antagonists. It’s hard to argue that he isn’t the least likable character of all the partygoers in Can’t Hardly Wait. He is a bully, and William Lichter chronicles all of the humiliation Mike has caused him in his introduction, like “the pudding incident.”

Mike berates others and lashes out at those who challenge him. He treats Amanda with disrespect. He shows a soft side when his insecurity is revealed when he and William seem to bury the hatchet. However, when William tries to say hello after Mike takes the fall for him following an arrest, Mike acts like he doesn’t know him and insults him in public.

Kenny Fisher

Can’t Hardly Wait isn’t one of Seth Green’s highest-rated movies, but some perhaps call it a cult favorite. He plays Kenny, an insecure student trying to meet girls at the party in which the events of the film take place. His lack of confidence often leaves him acting unpleasantly.

He lies to his pals about women fawning over him. He is rude to others like Molly Stinson, the host of the party. Perhaps Kenny’s most unlikable actions come after he and Denise sleep together when he berates her and ruins their intimate moment of vulnerable conversation.

Jake

Jake, played by Channon Roe, is one of Mike’s buddies. He is Beth’s boyfriend. He joins the ranks of lesser-developed characters in Can’t Hardly Wait, like Jason Segel’s cameo as “Watermelon Guy.” However, he isn’t very likable. He proves to lack bravery after he and his friends plan to break up with their girlfriends, and he puts it off like his pals.

Jake isn’t as aggressive as Mike, but he is a bully nonetheless and supports his beratement of William. Furthermore, he lacks loyalty and doesn’t stand up for Mike when he is being publicly lambasted by Amanda and other students at the party.

Cindi

Tamala Jones plays Cindi. She is one of the girlfriends following around the group of jocks who make up Mike’s entourage. She isn’t as developed as other characters like Amanda, but she presents her likability in her appearances.

Cindi is kind to Amanda, trying to boost her confidence following her and Mike’s breakup. She asks Amanda, “who does he think he is, Brad Pitt?,” and tells her she is prettier than Gwyneth Paltrow. However, it is revealed she is perhaps being a people-pleaser, later saying she is “not even” prettier than Paltrow after she leaves.

Denise Fleming

Lauren Ambrose, perhaps best known for her role in Six Feet Under, plays Denise. She is Preston’s good friend and Kenny’s love interest. Throughout most of the film, Denise is grumpy. She is sarcastic and rude to others. She insults people. When they arrive at the party, Preston asks her, “do you have to rag on everybody?”

However, Denise shows her more pleasant side by the end of the film. She is warm and understanding to Kenny after he is honest with her about their past. She shows her forgiveness following Kenny’s confession of regret. She is a good friend to Preston, giving him the advice to look toward his future, with or without Amanda.

Preston Meyers

Ethan Embry’s Preston is the protagonist in Can’t Hardly Wait. He presents likable qualities, like his kindness toward Denise. However, Preston can be selfish and self-pitting. He ignores Denise’s wants in his obsessive desire to end up with Amanda.

This behavior is perhaps highlighted most in his interaction with the angel dancer when he leaves the party. She reminds him he isn’t as unlucky as he thinks he is. Despite his failings, Preston is positive and pleasant. He ultimately wants the best for others.

Amanda Beckett

Jennifer Love Hewitt plays Amanda. She is the object of Preston’s affection and Mike’s ex-girlfriend. She is pleasant and is often presented with a smile on her face. She is strong and confident.

She stands up to herself when her second cousin throws himself at her and when Mike confronts her in a large group. However, Amanda can be harsh. When Preston tries to explain his feelings for her, she insults him. However, after reading his note she discovers he has good intentions and proves to be apologetic.

William Lichter

Charlie Korsmo’s William is an outcast in the social network presented in Can’t Hardly Wait. He is bullied by Mike Dexter and seen as a bookish intellectual by those around him. Despite being misunderstood by his peers, William is perhaps the most likable character in the film.

William is fun and charismatic, drawing applause with his singing performance at the party. He plans to be malicious and take advantage of Mike. However, he proves to be open-minded and forgiving when he buries the hatchet with him at the party. Unlike nearly every other character, he rarely insults others and is seldom shown acting with maleficence.

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