From Severus Snape to John Wick: Why do we care about morally grey characters and admire them more than heroes

Common worldviews are based on the binary framework of good and evil. This dichotomy of white and black attempts to put people into watertight boxes to simplify their actions and behaviors. The multi-layered human complexities span a spectrum as vast as the universe itself, an endless well of emotions, motives and goals. Putting them into a one-dimensional box, good or evil, is overwhelming. The space between white and black, the gray, is rarely talked about. The gray area confuses societal norms that dictate that one can only be good and righteous or evil and anarchic. The gray is bizarre; a Picasso-like art that is both good and evil. It’s no wonder, then, that morally gray characters are relatable in books and movies.

Understanding morally questionable characters

Morally questionable characters in books and movies defy textbook character cliches. They don’t care about the expected battle between good and evil, their motivations lie beyond morality. They are complicated characters with weaknesses, moral dilemmas, and questionable choices. They are rooted in their ambiguity, represent human duality, and have multi-layered personalities. Most of the time, they have a tragic backstory, a traumatic event that made them who they are today. These characters live in the gray area where goodness and darkness coexist.

Some examples of dual traits observed in these characters are their ability to be extremely loyal to their loved ones, while at the same time they are selfish and willing to resort to extreme measures such as betrayal to protect themselves and achieve ambitious goals. Likewise, they can show bravery and courage in dangerous situations, yet their carelessness and selfishness can put others at risk.

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Empathize with the morally questionable characters

Human excellence is often associated with achieving perfection and living up to high moral expectations. On that journey, you are either a hero or a villain. This unrealistic collective expectation is reflected in the characters of fictional worlds. Either someone is 100% good or evil. But people are far too colorful to be limited to black and white. And that’s why morally gray characters appeal to us. They may exhibit questionable behavior, but they are not irredeemable, just like people.

Tragic events affect people, and their motivations and behavior are influenced in various ways. The motivations of morally questionable characters are also determined by their childhood traumas and past hardships. Their motivations and goals go beyond simple concepts of right and wrong. This moral dilemma reflects the inner struggle between personal desires and societal expectations in real life.

Grey characters are not only relatable, but they also inspire empathy as we understand that their actions arise from pain and a longing for something better. They go through character development, for better or for worse, and symbolize the innate human need for personal growth and development. These flawed characters are realistic and vulnerable like us, making mistakes but having the potential to change.

Because humanity is built on hope, we connect with these complex characters as they embody the essence of human hope and reflect our hopes and resilience.

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Iconic morally questionable characters in pop culture

In literature and cinema, we have encountered various grey characters who are perhaps even more popular than the heroes. Here are some iconic figures whose life path was determined by motivations rather than morals.

Severus Snape

Severus Snape from JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series is a good example of the inner conflicts of a morally questionable character. Professor Snape despises Harry Potter as he is the son of his school bully, James Potter. And not just towards the “Boy Who Lived”, he is mean to all of his students. Throughout the series, his intentions remain unclear, whether he wants to protect Harry Potter or side with Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Despite his vengeful behavior towards Harry Potter, his love for Lily Potter makes him sacrifice his life for Harry. Here, love is the motivation behind the antagonistic masks Severus wears. The character is initially hated for his actions, but as the story progresses, the reason for his behavior wins our hearts.

John Wick

Killing is undeniably unacceptable and portrays the killer as pure evil. However, John Wick, the fan-favorite assassin, is a good, morally questionable character. He kills ruthlessly and brutally, satisfying his own sense of justice and vengeance by eliminating the bad guys. He is unabashedly dark and indulges in extreme violence, but we still root for him. John Wick’s primary motivation for revenge can be traced back to grief and the loss of his beloved dog, a gift from his late wife. In a way, his wife was still alive when the last gift, their dog, was given. John Wick freaks out when the dog is killed, as he loses both his dog and his wife’s memory.

Kaz Brekker

The protagonist of Leigh Bardugo’s fantasy duology book series Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom is a ruthless, money-hungry leader who kills without mercy. Lacking the typical heroic empathy, he is a cunning liar and works for his own interests. He is ambitious and will not let anyone dissuade him from his goals. Kaz had a deeply traumatic childhood following the death of his brother Jordie. He was abused and thrown alive into a pile of corpses, which in turn developed his fear of touch and intimacy in adulthood. His aversion to intimacy makes him distant and cold-hearted. However, despite his cold demeanor, he cares deeply for his gang members, even if he rarely lets it show. The found family motif is heavily present in Six of Crows and helps Kaz in his redemption arc.

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