The protagonist is the central character of any movie, and their journey is what drives the plot. In order to create a successful movie, it's essential to have a protagonist that audiences can relate to and empathize with. In this blog post, lets explore a few different ways you can make your audience relate to your protagonist.
Give your protagonist a clear goal
The first step in creating a relatable protagonist is to give them a clear goal. This goal should be something that the audience can understand and relate to. In the movie "The Pursuit of Happiness," the protagonist Chris Gardner has a clear goal: to provide for his family and find a stable job. This goal is relatable because many people have experienced financial struggles and the desire to provide for their loved ones.
Make them flawed
No one is perfect, and your protagonist shouldn't be either. To make your protagonist relatable, you need to give them flaws and vulnerabilities. In the movie "Silver Linings Playbook," the protagonist Pat Solitano is struggling with mental illness and has a history of violent outbursts. These flaws make him relatable because they humanize him and show that he's not perfect.
Show their vulnerabilities
Vulnerability is a key element of relatability. When your protagonist shows vulnerability, it creates an emotional connection with the audience. In the movie "The Fault in Our Stars," the protagonist Hazel is living with terminal cancer. This vulnerability makes her relatable because it shows that she's going through something that many people fear and can empathize with.
Make them face challenges
No one likes a protagonist who has an easy journey. To make your protagonist relatable, you need to give them challenges to overcome. In the movie "Rocky," the protagonist Rocky Balboa is an underdog boxer who is given the chance to fight the heavyweight champion. This challenge makes him relatable because it shows that he's working hard to achieve his goals, despite the odds being against him.
Give them a sense of humor
Humor is a powerful tool in creating relatable characters. When your protagonist has a sense of humor, it makes them more likable and relatable. In the movie "Deadpool," the protagonist Wade Wilson is a wisecracking mercenary who uses humor to cope with his painful past. This humor makes him relatable because it shows that he's human and has a coping mechanism that many people use.
In conclusion, creating a relatable protagonist is essential to making a successful movie. By giving your protagonist a clear goal, making them flawed and vulnerable, showing them facing challenges, and giving them a sense of humor, you can create a character that audiences will empathize with and root for. Use these movie examples as inspiration to create a protagonist that resonates with your audience.