The eyepatch is a truly fascinating and captivating accessory in the world of cinema. While in real life, eyepatches are typically associated with eye issues or surgeries, in Hollywood films, they have been given a mysterious and intriguing backstory.
Forget about pirates like Ragetti from Pirates of the Caribbean or the Deacon from Waterworld, because eyepatches have been incorporated into a wide range of diverse and interesting characters. One such character is Snake Plissken from Escape from New York, a true badass who rocks the eyepatch look. And of course, who can ever forget about Nick Fury, the cool and enigmatic character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, who consistently wears an eyepatch throughout his appearances? And let’s not overlook Mad-Eye Moody and his unique magical eye/eyepatch contraption, which adds a whole new level of intrigue.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into some of the most iconic movie characters who sport eyepatches, exploring the reasons behind their use and uncovering the secrets they hold. Get ready to be amazed and inspired by the allure of the eyepatch in the world of cinema!
1. Snake Plissken
You’re probably familiar with Snake Plissken, even if you don’t know his name. Kurt Russell’s snarky, one-eyed character is truly iconic in the world of cinema. Snake, the legendary protagonist from the Metal Gear Solid franchise, is actually based on this very character. Although Escape from New York wasn’t a huge success when it first came out in 1981, it gradually gained a cult following over the years, further solidifying Snake’s status.
Interestingly, fans of this gloriously rebellious hero are never given an explanation on-screen regarding how he lost his left eye. Fortunately, film novelizations used to be quite popular, and Mike McQuay, an author, wrote one based on the script of Escape from New York in the early ’80s. According to the novelization, Snake was involved in a mission during the chaos of World War III (yes, you read that right) where the Russians deployed nerve gas. Unfortunately, Snake’s protective goggles cracked during the mission, leaving his eye irreparable. But hey, that didn’t stop him from being incredibly cool with that eyepatch!
2. Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody
Brendan Gleeson’s portrayal of Mad-Eye Moody in the Harry Potter franchise may have been overshadowed by his role as Barty Crouch Jr. in Goblet of Fire. However, this doesn’t diminish the lasting impact he left on moviegoers. Gleeson, a highly talented actor known for his roles in Braveheart, Gangs of New York, 28 Days Later, and In Bruges, is often recognized primarily as Mad-Eye Moody.
What sets Mad-Eye Moody apart in the minds of Harry Potter fans is his magical eye. During his time as an Auror, Moody lost his eye while chasing down rogue Death Eaters. His battles against Voldemort and his followers also left him with numerous facial scars and the loss of one of his legs. Yet, it is his eccentric, mystical eye that truly makes him unforgettable.
3. Nick Fury
Is it just us, or does Samuel L. Jackson look incomplete without his iconic eyepatch? We can’t help but associate him with Nick Fury from all those years in the MCU. The mystery of how Fury lost his eye has been a topic of much speculation among fans ever since he mentioned in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, “The last time I trusted someone, I lost an eye.”
Who could have betrayed Fury’s trust so deeply? Who could have caused him such harm? Surprisingly, the answer came in the most unexpected form in 2019’s Captain Marvel. It wasn’t Carol Danvers, Talos, or Phil Coulson, but a peculiar little alien creature called Goose, who looked like a cat. That’s right! This extraterrestrial feline was the one responsible for taking out Fury’s eye, and apparently, it was the last time he ever trusted anyone.
4. Dilios
In the movie 300, David Wenham’s character, Dilios, plays a crucial role. He is the one who survives the battle and tells the incredible story of the 300 Spartan soldiers who fought against overwhelming odds. Without Dilios, there would be no one to return to Sparta and share the heroic deeds of Leonidas and his fearless warriors.
Despite being wounded and losing his eye during the intense battle with the Persian army, Dilios expresses his desire to stay and fight alongside his fellow Spartans. However, Leonidas, appreciating Dilios’s courage, decides to send him back to Sparta. He instructs Dilios to spread the word about what happened on the battlefield, ensuring that every Greek knows of their victory.
True to his loyal nature, Dilios obeys the command of his king and sets out to fulfill his mission of sharing the grand tale of triumph.
5. Ragetti
When it comes to the Pirates of the Caribbean power rankings, Ragetti doesn’t quite make it to the top. He falls below series protagonists like Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann-Turner, as well as standout antagonists like Barbossa and Davy Jones. As for fan favorites like Calypso and Gibbs, Ragetti and his pal Pintel are most likely below them too. Governor Swann’s position in all of this is also uncertain. And let’s not forget about Martin Klebba’s Marty.
No matter where you personally rank him, you surely remember Mackenzie Crook’s portrayal of Ragetti in the original trilogy. He was always causing trouble with his wooden eye. In Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, he even ends up with an eyepatch at one point. The movies never explicitly explain when Ragetti lost his eye, but according to 2007’s The Pirates’ Guidelines: A Booke for Those Who Desire to Keep to the Code and Live a Pirate’s Life, it was in battle. So there you have it.
6. Elle Driver
Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill movies are filled with a plethora of unforgettable characters. Tarantino has a knack for creating vibrant and interesting personalities, and this is evident in both volumes of the film. From Lucy Liu’s O-Ren Ishii to Vivica A. Fox’s Vernita Green, each character gets their moment to shine. However, among the notorious “Deadly Vipers,” there is one who stands out with her distinctive and ostentatious eyepatch – Daryl Hannah’s Elle Driver.
The story behind Elle’s missing eye is quite fitting for her character. Elle, being the prickly and vengeful villain that she is, holds herself in high regard, even when it is to her own detriment. As part of the Vipers, she was sent to train under the martial arts master Pei Mei. However, Elle’s discontent led her to insult her teacher by calling him a “miserable old fool” during a training session. Pei Mei, known for his strictness, didn’t take kindly to her disrespect and responded by gouging out her eye. Since then, Elle has always worn an eyepatch to match her ensembles, and she undeniably rocks the look.
7. Duncan Vizla
There seems to always be something going on with Mads Mikkelsen’s eyes. In Casino Royale, he sports a scarred eye and experiences haemolacria, causing him to shed tears of blood. Valhalla Rising showcases Mikkelsen as a Norse warrior who is missing his left eye entirely. And who can forget the bizarre purple stuff surrounding his eyes in his portrayal of Kaecilius in Doctor Strange? It’s clear that something is definitely happening with this man’s eyes!
In the 2019 Netflix film Polar, Mikkelsen once again loses his left eye, this time being brutally stabbed by Blut (played by Matt Lucas). If you’re familiar with Lucas, you probably associate him with his goofy role as Nardole on Doctor Who or his time co-hosting The Great British Baking Show. So, seeing him as the owner of an organization specializing in assassination is quite strange. It’s a peculiar world we live in when a silly stand-up comedian tortures a man who portrayed the infamous Dr. Hannibal Lecter so convincingly.
8. Rooster Cogburn
Whether you’re a fan of John Wayne or Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn, there’s no denying the lasting impact of this legendary character and the famous actors who brought him to life. Sorry to Warren Oates, but a TV sequel just can’t compare to the original 1969 film or its 2010 remake.
In the world of fiction, Cogburn fought in the American Civil War under the command of the notorious William Quantrill. He was part of a Confederate Army raider group, operating in a guerrilla-like fashion. It was during his time in the Confederate Army that Cogburn unfortunately lost his eye. But don’t let the eyepatch fool you – Cogburn’s marksmanship with a firearm remains impeccable, despite his age and love for liquor.
9. Frigga
Now more commonly known as Thriller: A Cruel Picture, They Call Her One-Eye still holds a special place in some circles, including Quentin Tarantino, who affectionately refers to it as the pulpier and more evocative predecessor to his Kill Bill saga. The name “One-Eye” stems from the protagonist’s moniker, Madeleine, or Frigga to her friends and, more significantly, to her enemies.
Frigga’s life takes a dark turn when she experiences childhood trauma that renders her mute. Unfortunately, things only get worse for her as she grows older and is forced into a life of prostitution, fueled by drugs. In a horrific turn of events, Frigga loses her eye when she refuses to comply with a customer’s demands, resulting in her abductor and pimp, Tony, surgically removing it with a scalpel.
Determined to escape her grim existence, Frigga begins plotting her way out. Like any exploitation flick, she acquires the essential tools for her revenge: secret stashes of money, a sleek car, martial arts skills, a cache of weapons, and transforming her eyepatch into a symbol of her righteous fury. Her captors, clients, and abusers are all in for a reckoning they deserve. It’s no wonder Tarantino hails this film as “the roughest revenge picture ever made.”
10. Odin
Marvel Studios definitely made a smart move by convincing Anthony Hopkins to take on the role of Odin the All-Father. It must have taken some serious persuasion, but it definitely paid off in the end. Even if you happen to find the other Thor movies a bit dull, there’s no denying that Hopkins was the perfect choice to play the weathered king of Asgard.
Can we take a moment to appreciate that awesome eyepatch made of solid gold? Seriously, Odin looks so cool with it! Speaking of the eyepatch, Odin actually lost his eye during the Battle of Tønsberg, which was shown in a flashback during the first Thor film. In that battle, Odin joined forces with the Eternals to stop Laufey and the Frost Giants from causing a disastrous ice age. The fight took place in Tønsberg, Norway, and ended with the defeat of the Frost Giants. As a result, they eventually submitted to Odin’s rule, and all he had to give up was his eye!
11. Luz
Leave it to Robert Rodriguez to come up with a character who not only owns a taco truck but also struts around with an eyepatch, bikini top, and assault rifle. I mean, why not, right? This is the same guy who brought us From Dusk till Dawn and Planet Terror, so he knows a thing or two about B movies and exploitation films. If anyone can pull off this kind of outrageousness, it’s Rodriguez.
And let’s not forget about Michelle Rodriguez’s character, Luz. She starts off as a regular person, but once she’s almost killed by a bunch of vigilantes, she transforms into a scantily clad, eyepatch-wearing killer. I guess getting shot at can really change your fashion choices. Maybe Rodriguez should bring the eyepatch trend to the Fast & Furious franchise? It would definitely fit in with the whole vibe of those movies.