Film Archetypes
Introduction
The Classic Archetypes
Hero, The Wise Old Man or Mentor, The Threshold Guardian, The Herald, The Shapeshifter, The Shadow, The Trickster, Heroine or Goddess, Villain, The Sidekick – Helpers, The Femme Fatale, The Mad Scientist/ Nerd boy, The Nerd Girl, Angel, The Loose Cannon, The Obstructive Bureaucrat, Addict
Hero
The hero endures self-sacrifice through hardship and separation for those he protects. He pays for his heroism. A hero travels to strange territory, but return to his old life, even though it has changed. A hero grows with the knowledge he acquires, and the obstacles he faces.
the Wise old man or Mentor
The mentor, usually an old sage, trains the hero. The mentor allows the hero the mean for success he whether it be weapons, wisdom, or physical training. The hero also passes a test before moving on past his mentor.
the threshold Guardian
The threshold guardian provides the first hurdle in front of the hero – the beginning of the adventure. The threshold guardian tests the hero’s worthiness and shows that the adventure will be dangerous. Occasionally, the threshold guardian joins the hero.
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the herald,
The herald, who has that piece of info that transforms the hero’s life, starts the hero on the adventure.
the shapeshifter
The shapeshifter changes his role, either physically or by a personality changes. He can be bad out for himself, then become loyal to the cause or be a good guy early on before becoming a traitor to the cause later in the adventure.
the shadow
The dark, evil character is the shadow. We don't like him and want to get rid of him. The shadow can be the antagonist. In the end, the shadow and the hero must clash and one is rendered useless.
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the Trickster
The trickster make us chuckle, easing the dramatic tension. He a clown that sometimes uses his knowledge to defeat bigger and stronger foes. In Goodfellas, Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) is the trickster. He even makes us laugh in the world of mobster, even though the jokes are disturbing at times.
heroine or goddess
Like the Hero this female has a sense of self-sacrifice in order to preserve the way of things. She can also be seen to be untouchable like a Goddess, a woman to be desired or fought over by men.
villain
A wicked or evil person; a scoundrel.​
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A dramatic or fictional character who is typically at odds with the hero.
the sidekick - helpers
Sidekicks fulfill an important role in narrative structure. This archetype is the protagonist's best friend, ready to devote time and energy to whatever stupid task is asked of him. And in return, he can expect to be disrespected, patronized, and kidnapped repeatedly. But it's all in a day's work. There are alien sidekicks, corporate lackeys, junior deputies, and other variations of this humiliating lifestyle.
the femme fatale
She's beautiful, manipulative, and who knows what her agenda might be? Accordingly, she inspires equal parts lust and suspicion. So, movie heroes, beware these evil temptresses with their raven tresses, icy stares, and umlaut-ridden names! You never know who they're working for.
the mad scientist/ nerd boy
Whether benign, evil, insane, eccentric, or simply bumbling, mad scientists are a staple of cinema and an inspiration to every kid with a chemistry set. If a character appears on screen in a lab coat, chances are he'll deliver a monologue in which he swears revenge against the community that mocked him, and refers to all standard, garden-variety scientists as "the fools."​
This archetype can often be found in sci-fi movies, working away in a laboratory filled with test tubes, Bunsen burners, and sometimes, bodies of shrivelled creatures in glass jars.
the nerd girl
A teenage girl whose whole life is a constant struggle for acceptance, played out in the merciless social battlefield that is school/College. That's probably why the nerd girl resonates throughout so many movies. Most nerd girls are the main character's best friend from next door, and as you will see, are actually beautiful under the glasses and frumpy clothes. ​
Some nerd girls just need a boost of self-esteem (maybe some attention from the captain of the boys football team) to find their inner beauty. Of course, these same girls will inevitably learn that the hunk's attention was part of some elaborate wager.
Angel
Almost every cultural and religious tradition on earth features angels of some description, including belief in a personal Guardian Angel in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Angels are typically represented as winged beings who intervene in times of great need or for the purpose of delivering a message of guidance or instruction from God to humans. One may also play the role of a Fairy Godmother or Godfather by helping someone in need either anonymously or with no expectation of any return.
The Loose Cannon
(Not a wobbly camera...)
Lots of movies feature cops, but if all movie cops followed procedure to the letter, action films would contain approximately 2 hours of paperwork, and another hour of eating lunch. The loose cannon is a maverick who cares little for protocol and more about how to get the job done​
That's why we love the loose cannon, also known as "cop-on-the-edge." It doesn't matter how much property damage they cause, they're always ready to battle terrorists with a witty quip and a grenade launcher.
The obstructive bureaucrat
Any hero in a hurry stands a good chance of running into a pencil pusher determined to create more red tape. This archetype's only joy lies in making you wait in lines and fill out forms. Predictably, the audience appreciates it when he's finally eaten by a rampaging dinosaur.
Addict
Every one of us is touched by the Addict archetype. The only question is how much of our lives is consumed by it. Besides the usual suspects--drugs, alcohol, food, and sex--one can be addicted to work, sports, television, exercise, computer games, spiritual practice, negative attitudes, and the kinds of thrills that bring on adrenaline rushes. From a symbolic perspective, the shadow aspect of the Addict represents a struggle with will power and the absence of self-control. People who are extremely intellectual or emotional frequently have a close link to this archetype, because they struggle to balance these powers. Without this internal balance, the will may give up its power to an external substance that exerts authority, providing shadow order to your life. The shadow Addict compromises your integrity and honesty. Many addicts, for example, steal as a means of supporting their habit.
