Regina George
MEAN GIRLS
Her queer coding is subtle, but with her ambiguous relationship at the end of the film (many other characters are shown with their significant others while Regina is not) and her rejection of the expectations of Girl World, (which include heterosexual relationships) I think that her sexuality may be up for debate. While she is an antagonist, since her acceptance of herself and others is considered a happy ending, this is one film that may be considered a positive portrayal of queer coded characters.
Jennifer Check
JENNIFER'S BODY
Similar to Mean Girls, the sexual relationships between Jennifer and various men acts as a backdrop to her friendships with women, namely her best friend, Needy. Jennifer is shown to have been having casual sex with men since junior high. After her transformation, her relationships with men serve to empower her, first as a means of boosting her self-esteem, and then to give her god-like abilities. Her monstrosity seems to lie at the heart of her encounters with casual sex and her lack of meaningful romantic relationships, which might not read as feminist in this context, but does read as queer. While Jennifer’s character isn’t exactly ‘good’ queer representation, the film has become a cult classic, especially among queer women.
The Grandmaster
THOR: RAGNAROK
The Grandmaster is the eccentric dictator of the planet Sakaar. His flamboyant mannerisms and style of dress point to him being queer, especially when set against Thor, a very masculine hero. He does not seem to have a romantic partner, instead amusing himself with “orgies and stuff.” He does seem to like Loki, winking at him suggestively and cornering him during one of the Grandmaster’s parties. They are implied to have a potentially sexual relationship. He also outrightly calls Thor “seductive.” The film uses his flamboyant personality to contrast with his desire for bloodshed, making his character appear comedic. Although he is not exactly a great representation of a queer coded character, he is difficult to dislike, especially with Jeff Goldblum’s portrayal of the character.
Hela
THOR: RAGNAROK
Hela is the Goddess of Death, and the daughter of Odin. She was cast away when her want of power and destruction became too much for Odin. She follows the archetype of a power-hungry woman only interested in her own gain. Her actions and design are reminiscent of Maleficent from 1959’s Sleeping Beauty, an earlier example of a queer coded villain. Her hair is covered and she sprouts sharp horns, similar to how Maleficent’s lack of femininity represented her villainy. Although her villainy seems to come from her imperialistic nature, her design might also be questioned, although she does appear more feminine, and her character more fleshed out, than Maleficent.
Loki
THOR: RAGNAROK
Although the character is canonically genderfluid and bisexual, these aspects of the character don't make it into any of the films. He remains queer coded in the films. In Thor: Ragnarok it is implied that he has been using his sexuality in order to ingratiate himself with the Grandmaster. While Thor is taken as a prisoner, Loki has gained the Grandmaster’s favor and seems to enjoy his place among the socialites. At the end of the film he has redeemed himself, choosing to help fight and defeat Hela. Despite his previous antagonism, he remains a fan favorite. While his previous appearances may point to his villainy and queerness being connected, this film seems to turn our image of who Loki is on its head. Thor: Ragnarok seems to be heading in the right direction of what a queer antagonist might look like.