8 Movie Characters With Completely Irrational Fears

4. Truman Burbank Is Scared Of Water Because His Fake Dad Fake-Drowned

Obviously, unwitting reality TV star Truman Burbank's fear of water is irrational because his phobia has been induced by a producer (Ed Harris) manipulating Truman into being afraid. Truman doesn't know that, of course, but even based on the knowledge he does have, Truman shouldn't have reason to fear the water at all. In order to dissuade him from getting ideas about travelling (and therefore leaving the set), The Truman Show's Christof decides to 'kill off' Truman's father in a boating accident, thus giving Truman a lifelong fear of water. Only Truman sees the actor playing 'Kirk Burbank' return to the set later, disguised as a homeless man - meaning Truman is well aware that the sea didn't manage to take his father after all. When Truman's fear is based on one fact that's been dispelled, his continuing to remain afraid of the water seems nonsensical at best. Also, he lives in an island community - the place is called Seahaven for God's sake - so how the hell does he cope with day-to-day life, not having constant breakdowns over the fact that a body of water is just a few metres away at all times?