Hero Character Archetype Examples in Movies

Character Archetypes in literature and film are recognizable characters that fit into a familiar pattern of behavior based on motivations, weaknesses, strengths, and ideals. Even when slight details change from story to story, the archetypes will feel consistent because we have seen their universal truths time and time again. Of course, any archetype still carries the ability to shift, grow, change, and even surprise us.

Filmmakers can use these archetypes to shape compelling characters — and storytellers across cultures have been doing this for ages. Carl Jung believed that archetypes represent universal human behaviors and included archetypes in his psychological studies of humanity.

Mythology and legends have included different archetypes for as long as humans have been telling stories, such as the Trickster, a cunning character who appears in both Native American storytelling and Greek mythology; the Mother, a supportive and nurturing character made famous by fairy tales with magical godmothers; and, of course, the Hero, a warrior with physical and/or mental prowess, courage, and confidence.

What is the Hero Archetype?

The Hero Archetype, sometimes referred to as the Warrior Archetype, is a character who acts as a force — usually literally, with strength, weapons, and brawn — for the greater good. The Hero will defend the weak and stand up to injustice. They are depicted as noble, brave, and often sacrificial.

The Hero Archetype should not be confused with the hero of the hero’s journey — though a Hero Archetype can certainly be the protagonist of a hero’s journey. For the purpose of this article, there is a distinction. It should also be said that a Character Archetype serves as a template for a familiar character — this can be overdone to become a trope or overused cliché or even a flat and undeveloped stock character easily, so writers should familiarize themselves with archetypes so create fully dimensional characters with intention, motivation, strengths, weaknesses, and creative expression.

Characteristics of the Hero

While heroes may have different personalities across genres and stories, there are archetypal characteristics that will remain consistent.

Strengths of the Hero

Code of Honor — The Hero will abide by a certain code based on their own determination of right and wrong. Once they draw a line, they will not cross it without grave consequences to their own psyche.
Loyalty — The Hero is loyal, especially to friends or their unit or cause. They will lay down their life to protect what they care about.
Service Before Self — The Hero is driven by something greater than themselves, whether it be a calling to duty, defending an ideal, or protecting innocence.

Weaknesses of the Hero

Martyrdom — The Hero is willing to sacrifice himself to a fault; it can mean an inability to find alternative solutions other than fighting unto the death.
Naivety — The Hero may assume that their opponents will abide by the same code that they do and are therefore often deceived or betrayed.
Egotism — The Hero may become overconfident in their own strength, leading to vulnerabilities if weakened (Superman and Green Kryptonite) or blindsided (such as when William Wallace’s wife Murron was captured and executed).

5 Hero Archetypes (with Movie Examples)

Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman, 2017)

The popular DC Comics hero was brought to the big screen by Patty Jenkins to resounding applause with her combination of strength, sense of justice, and devotion to love. Diana Prince squealed to see cute babies then single-handedly faced the Nazis in No Man’s Land. Armed with her super human strength and Lasso of Truth, she was able to face down the God of War.

Maximus (Gladiator, 2000)

In Ridley Scott’s masterful historical drama, the Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius is betrayed by Commodus, the late Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ son. After learning that the Emperor had wanted to replace Commodus with Maximus as his successor, Commodus assassinated his father, proclaimed himself Emperor, murdered Maximus’ wife and child, and arrested Maximus, who escaped but was found and sold into slavery as a gladiator in the fighting pits of Rome where he earned his chance to avenge his family.

Steve Rogers (Captain America: The First Avenger, 2011)

Look, the Marvel Cinematic Universe nailed it with their depiction of Steve Rogers, played by Chris Evans. This isn’t a place where we will critique any choices made. It is, however, difficult to find a fault with him, which truly does place him high on a pedestal as a Hero Archetype often is. Afterall, is it a weakness to be “too loyal” or “too devoted” to a cause? Maybe. He put himself in harm’s way to rescue his friend Bucky Barnes — but that’s just the Hero’s way. In Captain America: Civil War he is forced to choose between loyalties and must battle against his own friends in defense of others, but even then, he is a noble defender.

Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games, 2001)

Katniss Everdeen may have been a victim of a cruel society, but she wasn’t about to go down without a fight. She learned to hunt with a bow and arrow to provide food for her family, volunteered to take her little sister’s place in the Hunger Games, and managed to defeat her opponents inside and outside the arena through force and cunning.

Peter Parker (The Amazing Spider-Man, 2012)

Peter Parker is a great example of an Everyman Hero. Yes, he was bit by a radioactive spider, which gave him superhuman powers and abilities, but his true strength comes from his intellect and down-to-earth teenage sensibilities. His heroism stems from his desire to use his abilities to help others and do good — a hard won lesson for a very young person burdened with great power and great responsibility.

Why Hero Archetypes Matter in Screenwriting

Identifying archetypes can help writers craft better, more memorable protagonists. Is your hero noble or an anti-hero? Do they seem too perfect or have you given them real weaknesses and character deficits to overcome? Are they too powerful, meaning there will be no true struggle for them? And how does the rest of the world view them? Is Superman a hero or a god and what is the danger of having someone like that around — especially if you throw some Red Kryptonite into the mix?

Knowing an archetype can help with building arcs, decisions, and plot direction. This is especially true if you know some of the vulnerabilities of an archetype. Give your character true weaknesses and challenges to overcome. The audience has to believe there is something to lose and that the outcome of the story is not inevitable.

How Archetypes Empower Your Writing

Remember, archetypes are a tool, not a formula. If your hero is infallible, they will be boring. If they are caricaturally violent and you’re not writing a parody, you may have gone too far into trope-land. As a thought exercise, consider the examples from above and really think about what their weaknesses were, what mistakes they made, and what the consequences were of those mistakes. When a hero stumbles, people die. The stakes are life and death. It is a heavy burden to place on someone’s shoulders.

Finally, remember that great characters often surprise us — even when they start from something familiar. Tony Stark was a playboy billionaire who became one of the most selfless and courageous heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), literally a universe busting over with superheroes. Phase One of the MCU gave us Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America and made them each wildly different in personality, home life, and tone — while still managing to operate on a sense of justice. And by the time Phase Four came about, each of those characters had been through it, evolving along the way.

Always keep your mind open for ways to play with the archetype — that is what will make your characters memorable and your stories undeniable.

Hero Character Archetype Examples in Movies

What is the Hero Archetype?