| Clue | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Corleone and Jay Gatsby, for two | New York Times Easy Mode | 16 Sep 2026 |
| Flawed protagonists | New York Times | 11 Sep 2026 |
| Unprincipled principals | ||
| Protagonists who can be tough to root for | ||
| Problematic protagonists, perhaps | Universal | 05 Aug 2023 |
| Many Nicholson portrayals | Newsday | 27 Oct 2018 |