In films and television series, do you ever find yourself supporting the antagonist? You know, the morally ambiguous characters who are neither entirely good nor entirely bad? They are extremely fascinating because they are the ones who fall in the middle. We all have a soft spot for them, let's face it. You're sick of categorizing characters as heroes or villains. That's precisely why grey characters were created, and their popularity has skyrocketed. But have you ever wondered why we find these fictional characters so appealing? We will examine these grey characters' specifics as well as the psychology of why people like them in this article.
Favourite Grey Characters Taking Over Our Hearts
Fiction has a way of making people seem completely good or bad, but nobody is. Enter the anti-hero or morally questionable figure, whose sinister past will make all of their evil actions seem understandable! Here are a few examples of morally questionable figures from popular culture, along with an explanation of their status.
1) Draco Malfoy
At first glance, Draco Malfoy appears to be a jerk and the ultimate villain. As we've seen, he first wanted to pretend to be Harry's friend but changed his mind because he didn't want to be connected to Ron Weasley. But it was also a calculated move to make Harry his friend! Only the well-known Potter name was to blame. But if you've seen it through to the end, you understand why he acts that way. The expectations of his family were like a threatening cloud, and he was sick of constantly being in the shadow of the Malfoy name! His only goal was to meet his father's standards.
2) Tyrion Lannister
There are a lot of grey characters in Game of Thrones, so we had to think hard to pick one to highlight here. Well, our favourite is now Tyrion! The shrewd and cunning dwarf who only dealt in situations where he stood to benefit. He is extremely self-centred, ready to take advantage of people who are not as smart as him (which is pretty much everyone), and not above making fun of people who are lower in his hierarchy. Despite his flaws, he has shown his value through his calculated choices. He became a fan favourite after diverting Stannis' fleet to Blackwater Bay with the wildfire explosion, saving the city.
3) Joe Goldberg
I was aware that half of the population was anticipating the appearance of this character on the list. I did hear you, though! Let's see why Joe Goldberg is one of the most adored morally dubious characters, even though he is a complete psychopath. He is a dangerous stalker and murderer, but he also has a charming and approachable personality. He receives sympathetic votes thanks to his reflective narration and heartbreaking sob story. His ongoing internal conflict and moral dilemmas also give his character nuance and complexity.
4) Kaz Brekker
The complex character fan club had quickly grown to include the enigmatic Kaz Brekker from Shadow and Bones. He is known for his brutality and is a crafty criminal, but he is also a victim of his terrible past. His complexity makes him interesting and relatable. Kaz is loyal to his crew and maintains a moral code despite his love of violence. He is a fascinating character in the world of grey fictional characters because of his bitter past, which gives him more depth.
5) Sang Woo
When Squid Game went viral on Netflix, were you among the few first people to watch it? I do, too! You must recall Sang Woo, who embezzled his client's money and ended up in a risky situation as a result of his actions. Even if it's a friend from his youth, he is a cunning individual who will lie and manipulate others to advance. However, there are times when he appeals to the audience and is a likeable grey character. He would not be on this list otherwise!
Why Do We Find The Convoluted Intricacy So Interesting?
The best explanation for why we are drawn to grey characters is their unpredictable nature! We know that the twist in their backstory will be fascinating and leave you speechless! We adore them because they only make decisions that are unique to them and don't adhere to the stereotypical ideas of bad guys. Grey fictional characters are intriguing because of the way they are written; they stand out and don't fit into the black and white. They always have traits that the audience can identify with. You ask, how?
You must have noticed that the majority of the characters have depressing backstories, where they are either shunned or blamed for something that wasn't their fault. And you're like, "Oh no!" I'll be there for you. There! The authors are trying to achieve that. When the grey characters are sitting by themselves on a swing, feeling a little remorse for their decision, wouldn't you want to hug them? No matter how fictitious the character is, we instinctively want to be the one when we see them yearning for love and we can relate to them!
The Grey Characters' Enticing Redemption Tales
The appeal of redemption for grey characters in TV and film series comes from the path of development and growth that these characters travel. Seeing someone who is morally dubious actively work to improve their flaws can make audiences feel incredibly gratified and rewarded. It also makes the characters more complex and nuanced, which makes them more human and relatable. Furthermore, by showing that even wounded people can grow from their past sins and become better people, redemption stories arouse optimism and hope. Redeeming has a compelling storyline that appeals to viewers' emotions on many different levels.
Here are a few nuanced opinions that make us relate and crave morally grey characters and their redemption arcs
- It inspires hope because a character who has committed all the wrongdoings in the past is finally turning around. It's a subliminal message to the audience that it's better to own up to your mistakes and make amends later rather than later.:
- Provides depth and complexity - The good/bad framework is inapplicable to grey fictional characters who have made dubious choices throughout the series. Their complexity draws the audience in and gives their personalities more depth.
- Redemptions provide catharsis: Seeing a character actively attempt to atone can provide audiences with a cathartic experience. It can provide satisfaction and closure, especially if the character does something you disagree with.
- Has a social perspective: Redemption stories can help the inflexible society learn to forget and forgive. Many people deserve this lesson in second chances.
Overall, redemption arcs can be engaging because they offer a feeling of emotional fulfilment and narrative closure.
The Risk Associated with Adoring Grey Fictional Characters
It's all well and good to like flawed characters until you start drawing inspiration from them. Grey character idolization has its ups and downs. Here are some things to consider when watching these grey characters because some people simply tend to go overboard.
1. Keep in mind that they are fictional
Despite the temptation, it is best to avoid using these characters as role models. It is important to remember that these are works of fiction, written by people just like us. Although they may be entertaining, their actions should not be emulated in real life because they are not scientifically accurate.
2) It's Not a Good Idea to Exalt Negative Characteristics
Although complex personalities and moral ambiguity are common in grey characters, this does not justify exalting undesirable characteristics or actions.
3. The Risk Associated with Normalization
The popularity of the grey character has led to their inclusion in nearly all shows. Individuals are romanticizing and normalizing their unclear choices. Young brains are severely harmed by this since they may believe that it is simpler to get away with unethical behaviour.
4. The Harmful Effect on the Community
The media we consume shapes our attitudes and opinions, and if flawed individuals are admired, society may suffer. For example, glorifying violent or abusive behaviour in characters like Jeffrey Dahmer from "Dahmer" may reinforce unfavourable attitudes and stereotypes. The fact that this show was given a second-season renewal is just absurd.
Conclusion
Some of the most fascinating and complex characters have emerged as a result of the rise of grey characters in movies and television. From Walter White to the Joker, these characters have captured our hearts and our attention with their nuanced personalities and moral ambiguity.
It's important to remember that these characters are still fictional and should not be emulated or looked up to in real life. We must be careful not to emphasize the negative aspects of redemption stories, even though they can be inspiring and poignant. While keeping a balanced viewpoint, we can appreciate the complexity and inventiveness of these grey characters.
The real heroes are those who don't eat or kill large numbers of people, so keep that in mind the next time you're tempted to support the villain.