What is an Antagonist in Film?

For most stories, there is a protagonist and an antagonist that make up the primary characters that are featured throughout the narrative. But what is an antagonist in film and, more importantly, how are antagonists used in screenwriting to develop the overall conflict of the story and make it connect with the audience?

Learning how to recognize the antagonist, as well as the protagonist, in the story will help you to better define your own script writing process.

In this guide, we’ll help you to understand what a protagonist and an antagonist are and how they represent the central force or vices of the story.

What is an Antagonist in Film?

The antagonist in the film is the individual that creates trouble for the protagonist which represents the central character or force of the story.

If you’re someone who has heard the term protagonist and antagonist before, but struggle to understand the difference between the two.

Consider the following helpful hints:

• The antagonist will antagonize the protagonist.
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• Protagonist is “pro” goal – they are working towards a goal. The antagonist is “anti” goal. 
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• The protagonist is working toward the central goal or theme of the story. While the antagonist is working to fight against the goal.
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• Protagonist and antagonist are antonyms.

A Powerful Force

Thus, the antagonist in film is the force of the story that the protagonist of the story is sort of competing with. 

Characteristics of the Antagonist in Film

It’s important to note that the antagonist of the film will not always be a human. In fact, often times the antagonist will be an animal, or a cartoon, or something entirely different.

The term antagonist actually comes from the Greek language representing the word “agonizesthai.” This word means antagonist and, it also means “to contend with.” 

Antagonists typically will have the following characteristics:

• Are usually a villain
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• Tend to get in the way of the protagonist and his or her progress.
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• Often prevent the protagonist from achieving any progress. 
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• Will typically juxtapose the protagonist of the film.

Opposites

Antagonists are generally villains that represent the complete opposite of the protagonist. And have completely opposite views of the world when compared with the protagonist.

In fact, the antagonist will do whatever they can to prevent the protagonist from achieving or making progress in the world.

You might recall the following antagonist characters from past films:

• Agent Smith from The Matrix
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• Captain Hook from Peter Pan
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• Scar from The Lion King
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• The Joker from The Dark Knight
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• Darth Vader from The Empire Strikes Back

In Summary

Basically every great story will have a protagonist and an antagonist although they may not always come across as the villain. Sometimes the antagonist will be anti-hero.

For example, the antagonist that is against the protagonist hero but not necessarily in a villain-like manner can still be considered an antagonist. They don’t necessarily have to be all bad, they simply work against one another.