The Dark Side: Making Unsavory Characters Intriguing
Why do some dark characters fascinate us while others repel us? Dive into the strategies that make even the most unsavory characters impossible to ignore.
Getting readers to follow unsavory characters can be challenging. But if your creative imperative focuses on the shadowy aspects of self and human nature, more power to you. This article explores why you might want to create complex, intriguing characters who defy our sympathy. We'll touch on how to do it effectively in stories like V is for Vendetta, using counter-examples like The Joker and discussing insights from storytelling experts.
Why Create Unsavory Characters?
Creating characters who defy traditional likability can inject depth and complexity into your narrative. Life isn't all candy and crayons, after all. Such characters can offer fresh perspectives, challenge readers' implacable moral views, and provide a more nuanced storytelling experience. Let's consider how Deadpool as one example and The Joker's movie portrayal as another, explore the darkest corners of human nature.
Anti-heroes Done Right-ish
Anti-heroes like the Man with No Name, Mad Max, V, and Deadpool resonate with audiences because they operate within a moral framework that, while flawed, has a clear sense of justice. The characters have a set of rules, a code they live by. Readers may disagree, but they do understand. These characters often face far worse adversaries, making their questionable actions seem justified or even necessary. The key to their appeal lies in their personal codes of conduct and the motives driving their actions. For instance, Mad Max's survival-driven actions are tempered by his underlying decency, making his violent choices understandable in a lawless world. Similarly, V's extreme methods are framed by his fight against oppression, positioning him as a tragic hero with a noble cause.
These characters also benefit from solid and consistent traits that make them intriguing to watch. The Man with No Name's stoic demeanor and unflinching resolve, Mad Max's relentless drive for survival, V's intellectual charisma, and Deadpool's irreverent humor all contribute to their compelling nature. These antiheroes retain the audience's sympathy and support by balancing their darker actions with a sense of underlying decency, a tragic backstory, or humor.
Compelling Anti-heroes
The Man with No Name (Clint Eastwood) in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Why It Works: He operates in a morally gray area but stands out as the least corrupt in a world of worse individuals. His stoic demeanor and personal code make him someone we can support, even when his actions are questionable.
Mad Max (Mel Gibson) in Mad Max: Fury Road
Why It Works: Max is driven by survival in a post-apocalyptic world. His actions are violent but necessary in a lawless landscape. Max's underlying decency and his reluctant alliance with Furiosa showcase his humanity, making him a character audiences can root for.
V (Hugo Weaving) in V for Vendetta
Why It Works: V is a masked vigilante fighting against a totalitarian regime. His extreme methods involve violence and terrorism, but his cause—freedom and justice—resonates deeply. V's tragic backstory and charismatic persona make him a compelling anti-hero.
Deadpool in Deadpool Comics
Why It Works: Deadpool, the "Merc with a Mouth," is a mercenary with a twisted sense of humor. Despite his violent and selfish behavior, his personal struggles and complex backstory add depth. His wit and irreverence make him a fan favorite, proving that even unconventional heroes can capture our hearts.
When It Goes Wrong
In contrast, characters like the Joker, Walter White, Tony Soprano, and Patrick Bateman often cross moral lines early and irredeemably, making it difficult for some viewers to maintain empathy. While complex and psychologically rich, their actions may lack the redeeming qualities or justifiable motives that make other anti-heroes more relatable. For audiences with clear moral boundaries, these characters can be too dark to root for, highlighting the delicate balance required to create a compelling and sympathetic anti-hero.
When handled poorly, unsavory characters alienate readers. A case for me was the movie The Joker, which I found unwatchable. Why? The Joker's despicability was too overwhelming to watch, and the screenwriter and director left me no avenue for getting behind the character except pity. And pity is a poor substitute for empathy, no matter what Aristotle says. If a character lacks redeeming qualities or compelling traits, I lose interest. In fact, I get angry and walk out or shut it off in a huff. Doesn't happen often, but I've done it. I hate burning the expense of 2 movie tickets this way. Chafes me. Even worse, if I've enlisted someone else to suffer with me? Then I look like the bad guy.
Unsavory Characters That Didn't Work for Me, Your Humble Author.
The Joker in The Joker
The Joker's descent into madness is captivating because it offers a deep psychological exploration, even if he's not someone we can root for. It didn't work for me, but I know plenty of moviegoers who bought into it.
Walter White in Breaking Bad
Walter starts as a sympathetic character, but his transformation into a ruthless drug lord is intriguing because of the complexity of his motivations and actions. Again, didn't work on me. I thought Walter was irredeemable way too early to keep watching. I have some red lines, and Walter crossed them.
Tony Soprano in The Sopranos
Tony is a mob boss with despicable actions, but his vulnerability and internal struggles make him fascinating. I just don't like Mafia stories; those mobsters all seem irredeemable.
Patrick Bateman in American Psycho
Patrick's extreme actions are horrifying, yet his charismatic facade and psychological depth intrigue readers. Nope, all four struck out for me.
Outside Screenwriting Experts on Making Unsavory Characters Compelling
Robert McKee: Complexity Over Empathy
McKee suggests complex characters with conflicting desires and motivations can be more interesting than likable. Contradiction breeds curiosity.
K.M. Weiland: Inner Conflict
Weiland emphasizes the importance of inner conflict. Unsavory characters often have deep internal struggles that make them fascinating. We don't need an entire backstory, but knowing their Core Wound, their deepest trauma, gives us a window into their character.
John Truby: Moral Complexity
Truby highlights the value of moral complexity. Characters operating in morally gray areas can engage readers with their unpredictability. Morality being tested is a great storytelling angle.
Blake Snyder: The Beast with a Heart
Snyder talks about giving even the most despicable characters a moment of vulnerability or a hint of humanity to keep the audience hooked. Inhumanity is intriguing. A lack of humanity is horrifying.
Syd Field: Character Depth
Field stresses the importance of depth. Characters with rich backstories and complex psyches can draw readers in, even if they are not likable. Remember, the writer needs to develop character backstories, but your reader only needs hints.
Screenwriting is a convenient source of deep story exploration. As comic creators, we have fewer academic departments and expert voices who have dedicated a lifetime to dissecting and understanding the medium. For comics creators and graphic novelists, it’s convenient since it’s also a visual storytelling medium. It’s also a collaborative medium, as comics can be. So much articulation and writing has been devoted to filmmaking as an art form. It’s useful, so I use it.
Actionable Tips on Making Unsavory Characters Intriguing
Show Complexity
Give your characters conflicting desires and motivations to make them more attractive.
Reveal Inner Struggles
Highlight their internal conflicts and vulnerabilities to add depth.
Add Moral Ambiguity
Place them in morally complex situations where right and wrong are not clear-cut.
Create Unpredictability
Make their actions unpredictable to keep readers guessing.
Include Moments of Humanity
Show brief moments of vulnerability or humanity to make them more relatable.
Build a Rich Backstory
Develop a detailed backstory that explains their behavior and motivations.
The Challenge and Reward of Unsavory Characters
Creating morally ambiguous characters demands more care than crafting sympathetic ones. It requires a delicate balance of complexity, depth, and unpredictability. However, when this balance is achieved, it can result in stunning, deep narratives that challenge readers and keep them engaged until the final image.
Understanding these techniques can help you create compelling, surprising characters that intrigue readers, even if they don't necessarily like them.
Anti-heroes are a slippery slope, and if you understand your readers and are willing to lose some in service of your deepest, most faithful fans, you might build a loyal following. Storytelling involves risk. Not everyone is your ideal reader. Stay in service of your most faithful fans, and you might build a fanbase that appreciates the narrative risks you take story after story.
Trust your instincts. Mine might be different, but the world deserves unique perspectives on humanity. Ours is a world of grey.
Charles Merritt Houghton
30 May 2024