12 People You’ll Meet On Screen

Manic pixie girl and helpless boy meet-cute, a knight in shining armor rescues his damsel in distress, a villain’s plans are thwarted by a morally upstanding hero, and they all lived happily ever after. There are film archetypes that have been tried and tested, and continue to exist simply because, well, they work, somewhat. Here we present just 12 of these archetypes and character tropes that won’t be going away anytime soon.

THE OUTCAST
The one who just doesn’t fit in. Whether it be because they’re physically different or just a weirdo that no one sees the beauty of, nobody likes ‘em all that much… but we do, we always do.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

THE DOUCHEBAG
The most monumental dicks of all time, the one’s you love to hate

Wedding Crashers (2005)

Titanic (1997)

THE TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL
The guy or gal who just exudes cool. They don’t give no shit about none of your nonsense.

The Wild One (1953)

THE QUEEN BEE
She’s the most popular girl in school; everybody either loves her or hates her, but still wants to be her best friend and/or her significant other. Always hot.

Mean Girls (2004)

Clueless (1995)

THE CYNICAL ANTI-HERO
The one who always has a lot of complaints and maintains the hard exterior of indifference, though deep down inside, they do harbour good intentions.

Casablanca (1942)

THE FEMME FATALE
Mysterious and seductive, this lady knows how to use her feminine wiles to will you to do her bidding.

Inception (2010)

THE BAD ASS MOTHER FUCKER
You can’t touch these mofo’s cos they’ll rip you up.

Kill Bill (2003)

THE MANIC PIXIE DREAM GIRL
They’re quirky, cute, devoid of any real personality or motivation, existing only to usher the hero onto greater enlightenment. Not the best look, ladies.

Elizabethtown (2005)

THE CHOSEN ONE
Usually the hero – strike that – always the hero. Morally upright, bound to a quest or journey, and occasionally endowed with unique powers.