When asked to come up with character roles for a story, the first things that come to mind are probably the “villain” and “hero.” A hero who is pure, with good intentions, and acts as the moral beacon throughout the narrative. Then this hero figure would probably battle the villain, once again proving themself to be the story’s beacon of morality. Though sometimes writers don’t realize that their protagonists don’t have to be heroes or villains.
What if the protagonist’s morals were a bit grey or complex? Characters like this would be defined as either an antihero or an antivillain, in other words, a morally gray character. Antivillains and antiheros are very similar because they are characters who don’t fit the typical hero or villain mold. However, they are completely different archetypes whose definitions confuse readers and writers alike.
What are antiheroes?
Antiheroes are morally gray characters with questionable traits that aren’t exactly heroic. For example, they aren’t honest, strong, or compassionate like regular heroes. They may commit immoral acts like stealing, lying, hurting others, or perform charitable acts only when it is convenient for them. What sets them apart from typical villains is their motivations. Antiheroes commit immoral acts for good reasons. These characters don’t act out simply to be evil; there is some kind of underlying end goal that’s moral or for the common good. For instance, an antihero may lie and break the law if it means saving someone close to them. Many antiheroes are the story's protagonists.
Example of Antihero:
Jack Sparrow: A morally gray pirate who only helps others when it is convenient for him.
What are antivillains?
Like antiheroes, antivillains are also morally gray and commit immoral acts. The main difference between these characters and antiheroes lies in their end goals. Antiheroes, as mentioned above, will sometimes do bad things, but the result is good. However, antivillains will do bad things, and the end result is bad. But antivillains believe they are doing good. This is what sets antivillains apart from true villains; antivillains have a complex mindset where they believe their poor actions and dark worldviews are actually for the better.
For example, an antivillain may conquer kingdoms, believing they are better off under their rule, despite opposition from those kingdoms’ citizens. Antivillains often have deep, complex backstories that explain the reasons behind their poor actions and philosophies. Pure villains do not have such backstories; they are evil simply to be evil. These characters still have human qualities and remain attached to some unfortunate past circumstances. Many Antivillains are antagonists in the story and conflict with the protagonist.
Example of Antivillain:
Severus Snape: A professor who opposes the protagonist, Harry Potter. His cruelty toward Harry stems from his hatred of Harry’s father, giving his methods a rationale.
Key differences between antiheroes and antivillains
Antiheroes are genuinely good-natured people, but they are flawed in how they pursue their goals. On the other hand, antivillains are evil in nature but often have reasons behind their destructive motivations. We want the antihero to succeed, while we want the antivillain to be defeated, yet understand where they are coming from.
In short:
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Antihero = good-natured but uses questionable methods;
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Antivillain = bad-natured but has human or relatable reasons for their evil.
What Makes Antiheros and Antivillains Relatable?
In real life, people aren’t always purely good or purely bad. These character archetypes tap into complex, relatable motivations that mimic real human nature. When we find ourselves rooting for the antihero despite their questionable traits, we still find parts of them admirable, with their negative traits only making them interesting rather than off-putting. We may also find ourselves drawn to antivillains because it is the remaining human traits in their insanity that make their fate questionable and likability, therefore up in the air.
How to Write Good Antivillains and Antiheroes?
When writing antivillains, make sure the character has a rich backstory that clearly explains the motives behind their evil. This will allow the audience to sympathize with them and their human qualities. It is important that you don’t make them too evil or cruel; this may push them into the pure villain category. As for antiheroes, really lean into the messy qualities of your character. Make them obviously flawed in typical heroic qualities like honesty, bravery, or strength. Perhaps your antihero is an unreliable narrator or self-serving. These characters aren’t perfect human beings and are clearly flawed, but are protagonists and well-meaning at the end of the day.
Why These Archetypes Might Make People Feel Uncomfortable
People are very rooted in the familiar, especially when it comes to stories. We are so used to being spoonfed “who’s the villain and who’s the hero.” But when these answers aren’t entirely clear, we may become frustrated, unable to clearly identify a beacon of morality in the story. Or maybe readers are unwilling to accept realistic human behavior in a fictional character. Stories are supposed to be escapes from reality after all, and maybe some readers don’t want to think about the implications of human nature. Nowadays, with quick, easy content being distributed online and shrinking attention spans, many people may not want to spend time decoding a tortured villain’s complex backstory or tolerate the protagonist constantly acting out of line.
Why Include Antiheroes and Antivillains in Your Story?
These morally gray characters add variety and complexity to any story. They make readers think beyond what is good and what is bad, pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in a person. With typical heroes and villains, it is often clear who readers are meant to side with or accept. But morally gray characters make this process harder; they make readers think about their own morals and ultimately choose whether the character’s methods are justified. Morally gray characters are complex, interesting, and sometimes uncomfortable because they include archetypes that closely resemble human behavior, forcing readers to truly think about morality and maybe do a little introspection.
About the Author:
Cosmic Paradox is a university student studying game design, specializing in sound effects and game music. On Write the World, they were a young writer, served as a Community Ambassador, and is a 2025-2026 Intern. Their work has been recognized by the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, and they are currently working on their first full-length surreal poetry collection. Their favorite genres to write in are sci-fi, horror, and psychological horror, revolving around themes that question the absurdity of reality and the universe. Follow them @paradoxoftrees on Instagram.
