How to Build Strong Conflict in a Story

Conflict is the heartbeat of storytelling, providing the tension, drama, and intrigue that capture our attention. Every great story begins with conflict, whether it’s an internal battle within a character’s mind or an external clash with the world around them.

Conflict doesn’t just propel the plot forward—it shapes the characters, tests their resilience, and forces them to confront their fears, desires, and flaws. This tension draws readers or viewers in, making them care about what happens next. Think of classic films like The Godfather or The Shawshank Redemption, where characters are pushed to their limits, and the story unfolds around their reactions to overwhelming conflict.

This conflict can range from emotional struggles to physical confrontations, but whatever form it takes, it drives the narrative and makes it unforgettable. A story without conflict would be stagnant and forgettable, while a well-crafted conflict has the power to keep the audience invested in the outcome.

What Is Conflict in a Story?

Conflict refers to the opposing forces that challenge characters and propel the story forward. These opposing forces create drama and set the stage for character development. Conflict can manifest as external challenges, such as enemies or natural disasters, or as internal struggles, like self-doubt or moral dilemmas.

For example, in The Hunger Games, Katniss faces the Capitol’s oppressive power while grappling with her role as a symbol of rebellion. This duality adds layers to her story. Effective conflict creates tension, raises stakes, and ensures the audience remains invested in the characters and their journey toward resolution.

Why Conflict Is the Heart of Storytelling

Conflict gives a story its purpose and momentum. It forces characters to confront challenges, make tough choices, and grow. Without conflict, plots feel stagnant, and characters lack depth. In Star Wars: A New Hope,

Luke Skywalker’s internal struggle with his identity mirrors his external battle against the Empire. This interplay of conflicts makes his journey compelling. Conflict adds tension, builds emotional investment, and creates moments of triumph or heartbreak that audiences remember.

Writers who prioritize conflict craft stories that entertain and inspire reflection on universal themes like courage, love, and sacrifice.

Internal Conflict: The Struggles Within

Internal conflict reveals a character’s vulnerabilities, making them relatable and complex. It’s the silent war waged within a character’s mind, often between desires, fears, or values.

In Black Swan, Nina’s obsession with perfection pits her ambition against her mental stability, leading to a psychological unraveling. Internal conflicts add emotional depth to a story, allowing audiences to connect with characters on a personal level.

These struggles often drive the most poignant moments, as they reveal the human condition. By exploring inner turmoil, writers can create characters who feel real, multi-dimensional, and deeply compelling.

External Conflict: The Battle Beyond

External conflict arises when characters face challenges beyond themselves, such as other people, nature, or societal systems. This conflict creates action and drama that propel the story forward.

In Jurassic Park, humans must outwit and survive against dinosaurs, showcasing humanity’s ingenuity and resilience. External conflicts often serve as the backbone of a story, setting the stage for thrilling encounters and high-stakes decisions. These challenges also highlight the protagonist’s strengths and weaknesses, providing a contrast to their inner struggles.

By crafting vivid and intense external conflicts, writers keep audiences engaged and invested in the outcome.

Balancing Internal and External Conflicts

The best stories weave internal and external conflicts together seamlessly. This creates layered narratives where the protagonist’s inner struggles influence their responses to external challenges.

Iron Man vs Terrorists - Gulmira Fight Scene - Movie CLIP HD

In Iron Man, Tony Stark’s guilt and desire for redemption drive his efforts to combat enemies like Obadiah Stane. This interplay enriches the story, making it emotionally resonant and action-packed. Balancing both types of conflict adds complexity and ensures that every challenge the protagonist faces feels meaningful.

Audiences become deeply invested when they see how external battles reflect internal growth or struggle, creating a well-rounded narrative experience.

Conflict Drives Character Development

Conflict is the catalyst for character growth. It challenges characters to confront their flaws, face adversity, and emerge stronger. In The Lion King, Simba’s guilt over his father’s death and fear of responsibility shape his journey to reclaim his kingdom. These conflicts forced him to evolve into a confident and courageous leader.

Without conflict, characters remain static, and stories lose their transformative power. Through trials and tribulations, characters discover who they are and what they stand for, making their arcs inspiring and relatable. Writers should embrace conflict to craft characters that truly resonate.

Creating Conflict in Characters’ Lives

Conflict arises naturally when characters encounter situations that disrupt their goals or beliefs. These moments create tension and emotional stakes, drawing readers into the story.

In The Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner’s financial struggles test his resolve and highlight his unwavering commitment to his son. By putting characters in challenging scenarios, writers allow them to grow and demonstrate resilience.

These conflicts don’t just propel the plot; they reveal the characters’ inner strength and vulnerability. This balance creates stories that are both entertaining and emotionally impactful, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

High Stakes Amplify Conflict

High stakes elevate conflicts by intensifying the risks and consequences involved. They define what characters stand to lose, making every decision critical.

Avengers Endgame Final Battle Scene 4K 60fps 'Avengers Assemble'

In Avengers: Endgame, the survival of the universe hangs in the balance, creating unparalleled tension. High stakes keep readers and viewers emotionally invested, as they understand the gravity of the situation. Writers can raise stakes by introducing life-or-death scenarios, time constraints, or personal sacrifices.

These heightened stakes not only amplify the drama but also ensure the audience remains on edge, eagerly awaiting the resolution of the conflict.

Nature as a Source of Conflict

Nature often serves as a powerful and unpredictable antagonist in storytelling. Characters must battle against its raw, untamed forces, testing their survival instincts and resilience.

In The Revenant, Hugh Glass fights the wilderness after a brutal bear attack, showcasing humanity’s fragility and determination. This conflict type emphasizes the relationship between humans and the natural world, highlighting themes of endurance and adaptability.

Nature conflicts can be visually stunning and emotionally resonant, as they often strip characters down to their core. By pitting protagonists against nature, writers create high-stakes, universal struggles that audiences find both thrilling and relatable.

Society Conflict: Challenging Norms and Structures

Society conflict explores the clash between individuals and societal norms, structures, or injustices. These stories often reflect real-world struggles, adding depth and relevance.

In Les Misérables, Jean Valjean’s quest for redemption is complicated by an unforgiving society. This type of conflict reveals flaws in societal systems and challenges readers to consider broader issues. Society conflict can also highlight the protagonist‘s courage and moral convictions as they navigate oppressive environments.

Writers use these conflicts to craft thought-provoking narratives that resonate deeply, urging audiences to reflect on their world and values.

Character vs. Character Conflicts

Conflicts between characters are a staple of storytelling, driving tension and revealing personal stakes. These face-offs can stem from differing goals, values, or perspectives, creating dynamic interactions.

In The Dark Knight, Batman’s battle with the Joker epitomizes the clash between order and chaos. These conflicts don’t just advance the plot—they expose deeper truths about the characters involved. Writers can use character vs. character conflict to explore power dynamics, relationships, and emotional depth.

By crafting memorable rivalries, stories become more engaging, and audiences are drawn into the protagonists’ struggles and triumphs.

Internal and External Conflicts Shape the Protagonists

The combination of internal and external conflicts creates well-rounded, complex protagonists. Internal struggles reveal vulnerability and depth, while external challenges test resilience and skills.

In Frozen, Elsa’s internal conflict with her fear of hurting others mirrors the external isolation she faces. These dual layers of conflict make her character journey compelling and emotionally resonant. By intertwining both types of conflict, writers can create multidimensional characters whose struggles feel authentic.

This balance not only drives the story but also strengthens the audience’s connection to the protagonist, making their victories and failures meaningful.

Using Conflict to Deepen Themes

Conflict is a tool to explore deeper themes and ideas within a story. It allows writers to address complex issues while maintaining audience engagement. In The Social Network, the conflicts between Mark Zuckerberg and his peers reveal themes of ambition, betrayal, and the cost of success.

Writers can use conflict to pose questions about morality, relationships, or societal values. When aligned with thematic elements, conflict elevates a narrative, turning it into more than just entertainment. By delving into meaningful themes, stories become timeless, resonating with audiences on intellectual and emotional levels.

Emotional Stakes in Internal and External Conflict

Emotional stakes are one of the most powerful storytelling tools because they make conflicts feel personal, impactful, and relevant. These stakes ensure that the consequences of the conflict matter not just on a plot level but on a human level, drawing the audience deeper into the experience.

When characters are emotionally invested in the outcome of their struggles, the audience is more likely to connect with them and care about what happens. This is especially evident in films like Titanic, where Jack and Rose’s love story unfolds against the backdrop of a looming tragedy.

As the external conflict—the sinking of the ship—unfolds, the emotional stakes intensify, making their bond even more significant. It’s not just about surviving the disaster; it’s about the loss of love, the sacrifices made, and the choices that will haunt them forever.

Writers can heighten emotional stakes by focusing on personal relationships, moral dilemmas, and characters’ internal struggles. When the conflict forces characters to make difficult decisions—such as choosing between love and survival or between loyalty and self-preservation—the emotional stakes become much higher.

This approach allows the audience to feel the weight of every decision and outcome in the story, heightening the emotional resonance and making the conflict feel real and urgent. Emotional stakes give the conflict depth, transforming it into a source of both drama and character development.

Secondary Conflicts Add Complexity

Secondary conflicts enrich the narrative by introducing subplots that complement the central storyline. These conflicts add layers to the story, keeping it dynamic and engaging.

In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet’s evolving relationship with Mr. Darcy serves as a secondary conflict to the main societal pressures she faces. Secondary conflicts provide opportunities for additional character development and thematic exploration.

They offer moments of relief or parallel struggles, making the story feel more complete. By incorporating these subplots, writers create multidimensional narratives that hold the audience’s interest and deepen the story’s emotional impact.

Examples of External Conflict in Hollywood

Hollywood is filled with iconic examples of conflict that drive memorable stories and shape the characters within them. In The Godfather, Michael Corleone’s internal battle with his moral compass complements the external conflicts of family loyalty and organized crime, creating a complex and unforgettable narrative.

Similarly, The Matrix combines external clashes against a dystopian system with Neo’s internal struggle to accept his destiny, showcasing the powerful combination of external and internal conflict.

Another example is The Lion King, where Simba’s journey to accept his role as king involves both the external conflict with Scar and his internal conflict over his identity and worth. These examples show how versatile and impactful conflict can be in storytelling.

By studying these films, writers can learn to craft conflicts that are not only compelling but also integral to the characters and themes of their stories. Whether it’s an internal or external struggle or a combination of both, conflict is what gives depth and resonance to a narrative, ensuring it remains memorable for audiences.

Conclusion: Conflict Is Storytelling’s Foundation

Conflict is the essence of storytelling, and it is what transforms a simple narrative into a captivating, unforgettable experience. Through conflict, characters are forced to face challenges, which push them beyond their limits and ultimately shape their growth.

Whether it’s an external battle against a villain or an internal struggle with guilt or fear, conflict tests the character’s resolve and highlights their complexities. This is true in iconic films like Star Wars, where the battle between good and evil is paralleled by Luke Skywalker’s internal journey to accept his destiny. For writers, mastering the craft of creating conflict is essential for building strong, compelling narratives.

The most memorable stories balance internal and external struggles, creating a tapestry of challenges that keep the audience emotionally invested. When conflict is executed well, it allows writers to explore deep themes like love, sacrifice, and survival, while also providing the high stakes necessary for a gripping story.

The combination of well-developed characters, powerful conflicts, and meaningful resolutions ensures that a story resonates with the audience long after the credits roll.

– What did you think of this article? Share It, Like It, give it a rating, and let us know your thoughts in the comments box further down…

– Struggling with a script or book? Story analysis is what we do, all day, every day… check out our range of script coverage services for writers & filmmakers.