Antagonist Examples: 15 of the BEST Formidable Foes from Film & TV

In screenwriting terms, the antagonist of a story is arguably as important as the protagonist. In the very simplest terms, if your protagonist is the hero, then the antagonist is the villain…

What is an Antagonist?

They are the character that keeps pushing the protagonist, maintaining both external and internal conflict throughout the script for that protagonist.

Definition of antagonist: one that contends with or opposes another: adversary

In screenwriting the antagonist is a crucial part of narrative development as well as character development for the protagonist.

The antagonist is the resistance for that protagonist, stopping them from having an easy journey to their goal.

Classic antagonists in literature are characters such as:

• Lord Voldemort in HARRY POTTER
• Iago in OTHELLO
• Sauron in THE LORD OF THE RINGS

However, we’re going to be looking at antagonist examples that might not be obvious on first glance or take a fresh look at those that are.

They are antagonists, none the less, who challenge the protagonist in ways equal to the aforementioned classic characters.

Furthermore, do antagonists have to always come in human form? Absolutely not, an antagonist might be anything that pushes back against the protagonist’s goal. 

Learning how to create a great antagonist is a crucial part of how to write a script. The following antagonist examples help illustrate the very best of what an antagonist is and does.