unlikeable protagonist

How Do You CREATE and MAINTAIN Empathetic Characters?

November 2, 2026March 30, 2023 by Industrial Scripts

There are many important aspects to writing a great screenplay; good dialogue, interesting settings, unique stories, and good characterisation. However, little is arguably more important than creating and maintaining empathetic characters. Empathetic characters are the cornerstones of most great stories. Without an empathetic protagonist, in particular, the audience may struggle to connect to your story, narrative arcs, themes and even setting. Even the seemingly most unlikeable of characters will have something in the way of empathy; a reason to be

Patrick Bateman – Truly ORIGINAL Characters Series: Part 21

November 2, 2026November 29, 2022 by Industrial Scripts

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Patrick Bateman from American Psycho. View all Truly Original Characters + Table of ContentsWhat is an Original Character?Who is Patrick Bateman?Complex, Three-Dimensional CharactersPatrick Bateman’s “Relationships”Jean and Patrick BatemanPaul Allen and Patrick BatemanDetective Kimball and Patrick BatemanEvelyn Williams and Patrick BatemanStruggle for PowerPsychology of Patrick BatemanReality vs. Constructed RealityWas It All In His Head?In Conclusion: What Makes

What is an Unreliable Narrator and How Do You Write One?

November 2, 2026October 21, 2022 by Industrial Scripts

It’s comforting to settle into a story where we can trust the narrator to guide us easily and expertly. The narrator is, after all, the audience’s compass through the story, a framing device on which they can rely heavily. However, not all narrators can be trusted with equal measure. The unreliable narrator can lead the audience down the wrong path either on purpose or by virtue of their personality. But what’s the use of an unreliable narrator in screenwriting? And

Travis Bickle – ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 7

November 2, 2026February 8, 2021 by Industrial Scripts

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver. Table of ContentsWhat is an Original Character?Who is Travis Bickle?What Makes Travis Bickle Stand Out?A Multi-Dimensional CharacterTravis Bickle’s PastThe Power of the AntiheroWhat Reveals Travis Bickle’s MotivesThe Assassination IrisTravis Bickle’s RevengeThe Road to DestructionIn Conclusion What is an Original Character? It’s a character that sticks with you even when they’re long

Writing The Unlikeable Protagonist: How to Craft a Great Antihero

November 2, 2026February 1, 2021 by Industrial Scripts

Table of ContentsThe Role of the Unlikeable ProtagonistUnlikeable Character FlawsMotivations of the Unlikeable ProtagonistDexterBreaking BadHigh Stakes for Unlikeable ProtagonistsBarryBetter Call SaulAntihero Relatability and ContextThe Social NetworkI, TonyaThe Wolf of Wall StreetRedeeming Qualities in Unlikeable Protagonists: Clutching at StrawsRick and MortyThe SopranosThe Handmaid’s TaleCrafting an Unlikeable ProtagonistIn Summary The Role of the Unlikeable Protagonist ‘Unlikeable protagonist’ sounds like an oxymoron. However, they’re a common occurrence in all forms of storytelling. The antihero protagonist is an increasingly prominent presence in drama, particularly