If you want to write the kind of screenplay that captivates your readers and audience is to create a complex character because a well-crafted complex character will evoke emotions, ignites empathy and in so doing drive your whole plot forward.

Join me as we explore the art of creating a complex character for your screenplay, but first let us start by seeing the definition of a complex character.

What is a complex character?

A complex character is a kind of character that has multi-dimensional personality, and are able to display a wide range of emotions and traits that often conflict with each other, and they often go through multiple development or change throughout the whole story.

Complex characters are created by screenwriters to make their story more realistic and interesting.

When you think about complex characters, think of situations or instances where you are not always consistent in your decisions, paving way for an undecided change in your attitude at various points in time.

• They are contradictory: They exhibits conflicting traits, behaviors, or motivations.
• They are multi-dimensional: They show a wide-range of emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
• They are relatable: It is easy for the audience to identify with their struggles, desires, and emotions.
• They evolve and grow: They undergo significant changes throughout the whole story.

How to create a complex character for your story.

To create a complex character for your screenplay you must focus on the following:

• Character’s history.
• Personality traits.
• What motivates your character:
• Obstacles.
• Depth of emotions.
• Character flaws and character arc.
• Unique voice.

1. Character’s history.

One of the ways to create a complex character is to dig deep into your characters history or background to reveal how where they come from influences their behaviors and general decisions in life.

For example, you can use your characters date of birth to show how his zodiac sign influences his behaviors or decisions in life.

2. Personality traits.

Another way to create a complex character for your screenplay is to use your character’s distinctive qualities, habits, and mannerisms to define their personality.

For example, if your character is an hard core womanizer, show how he is capable of luring his girlfriend’s best friends and even his own blood cousin to bed.

3. What motivates your character.

To create a complex character for your screenplay, you must also be able to show how your character’s desires, needs, and goals are the driving force for their actions and decisions.

For example, your characters decision to sleep with multiple girls might come as a result of an heart break he experienced in his past relationship where his girlfriend went as far as sleeping with his own best friend.

Now after that encounter, your character swears to sleep with anything on skirts, thinking this is a way of paying her ex back and overcoming the heart break he feels.

4. Obstacles.

A complex character must definitely have both internal and external obstacles that challenges his growth and development.

This obstacles must not only always come from his antagonist because sometimes human beings can even be the ones that creates obstacles for themselves.

Sometimes, it is our impatience that causes us to end in an accident by attempting to beat a traffic light that just turned red while we are way too close.

5. Depth of emotions.

Complex characters often have a high level of emotions which might make them end up crying out loud like a new born baby, even though it is in the public place.

Therefore, you must show how your character response to his emotions, even if it is in the high or low end.

6. Character flaws and character arc.

Giving your character weaknesses and vulnerabilities will open them up to a new area of growth.

The most important aspect of using this method is making sure the character himself does not realize his flaws. And even if he recognizes it, make him to hold the opinion that this is the best way to live because of a  certain condition or situation he finds himself.

As for the character arc, your complex character needs to amend his way every other time and keeps falling back into it.

Just like the scripture says “a dog goes back to his vomit”. Let your character always repeat the same action that caused him pain or harm and this time let the pain come in a different and worse dimension. But still, he doesn’t have to learn that easy until the outcome seems to take his very life.

Now showing your character flaws and character arc will make them more relatable and human.

Examples of complex character in a screenplay.

Below are some of the examples of complex characters in a screenplay..

• Tony Soprano* (The Sopranos): Tony is a mob boss who has anxiety attacks, and his complexities make him a compelling and relatable character.
• Walter White* (Breaking Bad): A high school chemistry teacher turned meth kingpin is Walter whose transformation is driven by his complex motivations and conflicts.
• Darth Vader* (Star Wars): A classic example of a complex villain, Darth Vader’s backstory and motivations add depth to his character.
• Ellis “Red” Redding* (The Shawshank Redemption): A tough, wise, and compassionate inmate, Red’s complexities make him a beloved and memorable character
• Psycho (1960): Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) – A disturbed, conflicted, and complex killer.
• The Silence of the Lambs (1991): Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) – A brilliant, cannibalistic, and complex serial killer.
• Memento (2000)*: Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) – A vengeful, memory-impaired, and complex protagonist.
• Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)*: Darth Vader (David Prowse) – A complex, conflicted, and iconic villain.
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)*: Gollum (Andy Serkis) – A complex, conflicted, and tragic creature.
• Blade Runner (1982): Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) – A complex, brooding, and morally ambiguous protagonist.
• Juno (2007): Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) – A quirky, independent, and complex teenager.
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)*: Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) – A complex, emotional, and vulnerable protagonist.
• The Wrestler (2008)*: Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) – A complex, troubled, and poignant protagonist.