Traditionally, a hero embodies the conventional traits of altruism, courage, compassion, and more. But in recent years, another type of hero is seeing more exposure—the anti-hero, a character who may have questionable morals but is ultimately guided by good intentions.
The best anti-heroes thrive in the gray areas of morality. They break away from traditional heroism and explore a more nuanced version of heroism.
Best Anti-Heroes
From sympathetic criminals to cynical do-gooders, below are some of the best anti-villains to ever grace literature, video games, and cinema.
1. Rodion Raskolnikov from Crime and Punishment
Rodion is an impoverished student whose acts of theft and murder push him to oblivion. He deals with the guilt for the rest of the book and his life, desperately trying to find ways to atone for his sins.
However, his status as an anti-hero slowly changes as he works towards redemption. This journey to a more morally conscious being makes him one of the most intriguing characters in literature.
2. Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean
Jack Sparrow is a witty and unpredictable rogue who mostly only thinks about himself and his ship, the Black Pearl. He’s a pirate, smuggler, and constant double-crosser.
But part of his charm is the chaos he brings to any situation. And though he’s a jerk, there’s enough heroism and selflessness in him to make him a loveable jerk.
3. The Continental Op from Red Harvest
The Continental Op is a hard man who catches bad men. He always gets them too—mostly because he’ll do anything to do his job.
It doesn’t matter if it’s making deals with criminals or manipulating them into murder, any effective method is a good method. This is the archetypal hardboiled detective that’s inspired many others after him.
4. Walter White from Breaking Bad
Dying from cancer and can’t afford treatment, Walter White turns to a life of crime. With his former student as his apprentice, he begins cooking and peddling meth on the streets.
While it started out as a desperate way to secure his family’s finances after his death, it soon became an obsession to build his own criminal empire. Imagine your high-school chemistry teacher doing that—and mostly succeeding.
5. Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind
Scarlett O’Hara is a strong-willed woman who often prioritizes her needs and desires, even if it means disregarding those around her. So it comes as no surprise when does everything she can to survive the Civil War, no matter how despicable.
However, she is also portrayed as a survivor of an extremely turbulent world, making her character flawed yet compelling.
6. Lisbeth Salander from The Millenium Trilogy
Lisbeth Salander is a brilliant hacker and researcher who brings bad men to justice. She is violent, antisocial, and antagonistic to almost everybody.
But that behavior is the result of an abusive childhood. And though many call her psychotic, she’s far from the amoral persona she hides behind.
7. Harley Quinn from Harley Quinn
In most of her iterations, Harley Quinn is treated as the Joker’s therapist, sidekick, and love interest. Recently though, there has been more emphasis on her doing her own thing.
And though she’s not exactly a shining standard for heroism, you do see elements of Good behind her villainous makeup.
8. Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad from Assassin’s Creed
Watch as an ordinary guy from the 21st century steps into the shoes of his ancestor, a 12th-century assassin, Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad.
Although he’s a cocky killer with a talent for murder, all of that is redeemed by the strict, moral code he follows. There’s a purpose for every kill and an overall goal to prevent the Knights Templar from gaining power over the world.
9. John Wick from John Wick
Once a feared hitman named Baba Yaga, John Wick has since retired until a gang breaks into his home, steals his car, and kills his late wife’s last gift to him.
It sets him on a path of vengeance, leading him to confront the very world he’s left behind. However, leaving retirement also means honoring past oaths and taking up new chains.
10. Deadpool from Deadpool
Whether in the comics or on the big screen, Wade Wilson will always be the smartmouthed mercenary who has no problems with being judge, jury, and executioner.
He’s definitely no hero, but he’s not exactly the most horrible of bad guys either. Just look at how many superheroes tolerate him when he annoys them into a partnership.
11. The Man with No Name from The Dollars Trilogy
The Man with No Name is a bounty hunter who’s mostly self-serving but occasionally does good on the side. He’s one of cinema’s most enduring characters.
Beyond the gunfights and stoicism, what makes him such a striking character is how barren his backstory is. You do get some insights into the character, but he remains largely mythical to his enemies and to the audience.
12. Agent 47 from Hitman
The result of an experiment to create the perfect killer, Agent 47 is an assassin without empathy. Whatever mission he receives, he completes no matter the difficulty.
But he’s far from the obedient soldier his creators intended him to be. There’s a hint of humanity beneath his ruthless facade, evidenced by the decisions he takes throughout the series.
13. Victor Frankenstein from Frankenstein
Victor Frankenstein is a man obsessed with life and death, so much so that he plays god and creates his own living thing. However, disgusted with his creation, he promptly abandons it to its fate.
On the other hand, he’s not a man driven by evil intentions—just a coward who fails to deal with the consequences of his actions.
Understanding Anti-Hero Characters
Anti-heroes are the result of people seeking more realistic portrayals of human behavior. They are often more complex and multidimensional than traditional heroes, making them more interesting and relatable to the audience.
And because they subvert the hero archetype, there is more space to explore their characters story-wise. Their actions challenge traditional notions about right or wrong, encourage critical thinking about morality and ethics, and provide fresh perspectives on certain issues.
In summary, anti-heroes have the ability to explore the complexities and imperfections of humanity. They feel more real and are often used to comment on the flaws within the systems we have built in our world.
Who’s the best anti-hero character in your opinion? Share it in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- Big Baddies: The 30 Best Villains On Screen and Paper
- 8 Types of Heroes in Fiction
- 40 Most Hated Characters on Screen and Paper
- Exploring the Monomyth: 6 Lessons from Joseph Campbell’s Theory of “The Hero’s Journey”
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
