The Ultimate Collection of Antagonists Who Are Main Characters

The one who avoids or prevents resolution of the plot is Antagonist, regardless of audience empathy

As a companion to the original blog post The Ultimate Collection of Protagonists Who Act As Obstacle Characters, the following is a list of Main Characters who function as Antagonists within the Objective Story Throughline.

The easiest way to quickly discover Antagonist/Protagonist is to first look at the initial inequity, define the Goal that resolves that inequity, and then look to see who is avoiding or preventing that resolution (Antagonist) and who is pursuing resolution (Protagonist).

These Main Character as Antagonist movies often present themselves as stories about the Main Character claiming control over their life or maturing into their own true essence. The reason? Their avoidance, or justification for not moving forward, is what is preventing the successful resolution of the Story Goal.

Main Character as Antagonist Movies

• The Lion King (Simba is the Antagonist)
• Michael Clayton (Michael Clayton is the Antagonist)
• Collateral (Max is the Antagonist)
• Pitch Perfect (Becca Mitchel is the Antagonist)
• Black Panther (T'Challa is the Antagonist)
• Mad Max: Fury Road (Max is the Antagonist)
• Old Henry (Henry is the Antagonist)
• Bumblebee (Charlie is the Antagonist)