Ferris Bueller wasn't really the hero in Ferris Bueller's Day Off - he was the villain. John Hughes' self-declared love letter to Chicago released in 1986 to critical acclaim, and the movie's legacy has continued to thrive to this day thanks to various parodies and references. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off even directly inspired the MCU's post-credits scenes, yet the ambiguous motives of its titular character remain a subject of intense debate.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off became an instant classic because of its free-spirited, coming-of-age story of three suburban teens skipping school to explore Chicago. Ferris, Cameron, and Sloane's impromptu field trip involved a number of notable landmarks including Wrigley Field and the Sears/Willis Tower. Their fun in the sun was juxtaposed with subplots involving Ferris Bueller's disgruntled sister as well as their very suspicious high school principal Ed Rooney. People remember the movie mostly as a carefree teen comedy these days, but there were some legitimately deep moments as well. For example, a Georges Seurat painting in The Art Institute of Chicago triggered a haunting display of character development for Cameron in a meaningful, perfect Ferris Bueller's Day Off scene.
Of course, Cameron wouldn't have been in that position at all if it weren't for Ferris. Ferris Bueller might have come off as a "righteous dude," but he was really a diabolical villain. His plan to skip school went above and beyond a typical act of teenage rebellion. John Hughes' thoughts about Ferris's hypothetical future also hinted at some major red flags. Most importantly, Principal Rooney's assumed status as the main villain was a little more complicated than it initially appeared to be. While the movie's morality may seem straightforward, the truth is that Ferris Bueller's protagonist was actually the real bad-guy.
Principal Rooney Was Bad, But Ferris Bueller Was Worse
Principal Rooney's biggest problem was that he overstepped his jurisdiction. His suspicions about Ferris's school absence were right, but his ensuing actions made him look quite suspicious himself. Principal Rooney’s pursuit of justice simply went too far - possibly to the point of engaging in criminal behavior. On the other hand, Matthew Broderick, the actor who almost played Walter White, fittingly portrayed a different secret villain of sorts in Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Ferris Bueller's actions were outright wrong compared to Principal Rooney's terribly executed righteous crusade, and his over-the-top, Machiavellian plotting to skip school and manipulate everyone was creepily elaborate. Ferris did a disservice to Cameron regardless of his friend's epiphany at the Art Institute. Cameron destroyed his dad's Ferrari and possibly his own life despite actor Alan Ruck's optimistic suggestion in 2021 that he turned out okay. As for Ferris's future, John Hughes said, "That kid will either become President of the United States or go to prison." Perhaps he ended up being a cult leader given his eerie ability to control people with little regard for their well-being.
It's a testament to Matthew Broderick's performance that the worst character was still likable. Now, it's hard to imagine another actor playing Ferris Bueller. Matthew Broderick's Ferris fooled everyone in the movie, including his sister, into thinking he was a real hero. However, it turned out Principal Rooney was right all along. Ferris Bueller was actually the main villain of Ferris Bueller's Day Off.