'Unheroic' Movie Heroes: How Everyday Losers Became Protagonists of Their Own Stories

When heroes aren't ideal: why film keeps choosing losers.

In the classic film universe, the hero was typically an embodiment of strength and confidence. Batman, James Bond, Katniss Everdeen — these protagonists saved others, overcame hardship, and emerged victorious by the story's end. Characters like these showed an ideal worth striving for.

But contemporary films and shows increasingly offer a different type. These are characters who make mistakes, hesitate, lose, and often come across as losers. The central figures are far from heroic standards, but that's exactly what makes them feel closer to the audience.

On the phenomenon of 'unheroic' characters — in this DeTalks article.

How the Image of the Hero Is Changing in Contemporary Film

In traditional stories, the hero usually embodied strength, determination, and confidence. Indiana Jones and Harry Potter, for instance, overcame obstacles and achieved victory by the end. That image remained the foundation of film narratives for a long time.

Today, though, heroes who don't fit that ideal are appearing more and more often. These characters can be confused or unsure of themselves. Their stories are built around personal experience, self-discovery, or trying to cope with their own problems.

"It would be dramatically very boring if everyone in a film had no flaws at all. For me, the most important thing is to be truthful," says director Spike Lee.

Joker: An Outsider Hero at the Center of the Story

The film “Joker” tells the story of Arthur Fleck — a lonely man who works as a party clown and dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian.

He lives with his ailing mother, constantly faces humiliation at work, and is met with indifference from those around him. His mental health struggles and uncontrollable laughter only deepen his sense of isolation.

Arthur doesn't fit the classic image of a hero. Fleck is insecure, socially awkward, and often becomes a target of ridicule. Over the course of the story, he endures a series of personal and social blows that reshape how he sees the world and push him toward violence.

At the same time, even though Arthur becomes a perpetrator, his flaws and human weaknesses evoke sympathy. The audience understands the character's pain while also feeling horrified by the consequences of his actions.

Joker highlights a defining trait of contemporary film: the central character doesn't have to be a triumphant hero — they can be someone who's spent a long time on society's margins.

Nadine From The Edge of Seventeen: The Path of an Outsider

The protagonist of the film is Nadine, a high schooler who feels like she doesn't belong in her own life. She's constantly in conflict with her mother, is jealous of her brother's popularity, and feels isolated among her classmates. Every day, for her, is a balancing act between wanting to be heard and fearing she'll look weak or unpopular.

The young woman expresses her feelings openly, even when it leads to arguments. Through these conflicts, the audience sees her inner world and struggles. The protagonist tries to repair her relationship with her friend Krista and other classmates, even if she's clumsy about it at first.

Nadine gradually comes to realize how her impulsive words and actions affect the people around her. That helps her grow as a person. She starts to notice that family and friendship matter more than status or popularity. This underscores her inner transformation.

Through these choices, the schoolgirl stops being just a loser. Franklin becomes a character through whom the audience experiences teenage fears, doubts, and moments of growing up. The changes in her behavior and awareness show that a protagonist doesn't have to be flawless or popular.

The Whale: A Hero Far From the Ideal

The film The Whale tells the story of Charlie — a former literature teacher living in near-total isolation.

Due to severe obesity, he rarely leaves his apartment and spends his days teaching students online. His life is limited to a handful of people: a nurse friend, a missionary who happens into his life, and his daughter Ellie, with whom he tries to rebuild a lost connection.

Charlie is a character far removed from the traditional image of a hero. The teacher is physically weak, has serious health problems, and constantly wrestles with guilt over past decisions that led to his estrangement from his family.

Throughout the film, he tries to repair his relationship with his daughter, broken by years of absence. For him, it's an attempt at a shot at forgiveness. His struggle plays out internally — between guilt, hope, and the desire to change even one thing about his life.

Contemporary film shows that a hero doesn't have to be strong, popular, or flawless. Sometimes the central story isn't a heroic feat, but a personal journey: trying to understand yourself, fix your mistakes, or repair your relationships with others.