Anything Quote by Michael Eklund
“The thing is, I never see my characters as psychopaths. I see them as really crippled victims who just happen to do bad things. And I never see them as bad guys; I see them as darker characters. I never see anything as good or bad; it's more light or dark, and the in-between is the grey.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast with Michael Eklund, 2023
He views antagonists as damaged individuals rather than purely evil, emphasizing moral ambiguity and the spectrum between light and dark.
In simple terms: Villains are often victims of circumstances, not just evil.
Consider the humanity behind negative actions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing
- film
- theatre
- psychology
- social analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives a character's darkness?
- How does empathy affect storytelling?
Some may argue it excuses harmful behavior.