We’ve all been there: you’re watching a movie and a character makes a choice so perfectly “them” that you can’t help but lean in. Whether it’s Carmy Berzatto’s obsessive perfectionism in The Bear or Benoit Blanc’s flamboyant yet razor-sharp intuition in Glass Onion, these moments aren’t accidents. On the contrary, they are the result of carefully selected character traits.
If you want to write a character that resonates, you have to move past the basics. It’s not just about what a character does; it’s about the internal wiring that makes those actions inevitable. Ultimately, understanding how to layer these qualities is what separates a “stock character” from a cinematic icon.
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What Are Character Traits, Anyway?
In the world of screenwriting, a character trait is a stable, recurring quality that defines how a person interacts with their world. Think of it as the “programming” under the hood of your protagonist. Specifically, it determines their “default” setting when things go wrong.
Furthermore, these traits shouldn’t exist in a vacuum. To see how these traits evolve over time, you’ll want to look at how they feed into a larger character arc. For now, we generally split these qualities into two camps: Surface Traits (The Mask) and Core Traits (The Engine).
Surface Traits: The “Mask”
These are the qualities the world sees first. Is your character loud? Do they have a nervous tick? Are they impeccably dressed?
In Succession, Kendall Roy often wears the “surface trait” of a confident, high-powered executive, but it’s a thin veneer. In fact, surface traits are great for first impressions, but they shouldn’t be the only thing your character has going for them.
Core Traits: The “Internal Engine”
Conversely, core traits are what actually drive the plot. These are the deep-seated values, fears, and moral compass points that a character cannot easily change.
For example, in The Last of Us, Joel’s core trait is a fierce, protective pragmatism born from grief. This trait dictates every move he makes—even the ones that the audience might find morally questionable.
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The Power of the “Contradictory Trait”
If you want to beat the “Stock Character” trap, you need to find the friction. Real people are messy and full of contradictions, and your characters should be too. As a result, a character becomes “Round” (and interesting) when they have a trait that seems to fight against their primary persona.
Example: Sydney Adamu in The Bear
Sydney is a masterclass in modern character writing because of her internal friction.
- Primary Trait: Highly ambitious and technically brilliant.
- Contradictory Trait: Deeply anxious and paralyzed by the fear of repeating past failures.
- The Result: Because these two traits are at war, every scene she’s in has built-in tension. We aren’t just watching her cook; we’re watching her fight her own internal wiring.
Pro Tip: If you’re struggling to find that friction, try fitting your character into different character archetypes to see which traits clash most interestingly with their expected role.
A Toolkit of Character Traits (Not a Grocery List)
When you’re building your cast, don’t just pick adjectives at random. Instead, think about how these traits provide “Tools” for your character to solve (or create) problems.
The “High-Stakes” Traits in Modern Cinema:
- Obsessive: (Oppenheimer) – Drives them to greatness but destroys their personal life.
- Cynical: (Wednesday Addams) – Protects them from being hurt but isolates them from allies.
- Volatile: (Cassie in Euphoria) – Creates unpredictable plot turns and high-octane drama.
- Noble but Rigid: (Ned Stark in Game of Thrones) – Makes them lovable but leads to their inevitable downfall.
How to Use These Tools in Your Writing
To apply these traits effectively, don’t just list them in a character bio — apply them to your character’s decision-making process. When your protagonist hits an obstacle, their traits should act as the “wrench” they use to try and fix it.
For example, if your character has the Obsessive tool, they won’t just “try hard” to solve a mystery; they will stay up for 72 hours, neglect their family, and ignore a direct order from their boss to stop. The trait forces a specific type of action that a “balanced” person wouldn’t take.
Consequently, when you are stuck on a scene, look at your toolkit and ask:
- Which tool would this character instinctively reach for? (An Abrasive character will try to insult their way out of a speeding ticket).
- How does that tool make the situation worse? (The insult leads to the character being arrested, which moves the plot into a jail cell).
In short, traits are only useful if they have a physical consequence on the page. If a trait doesn’t change how a character handles a crisis, it’s just flavor text — not a tool.
How Character Traits Drive Your Plot
A plot is just a series of obstacles designed to test a character’s traits. For instance, if you have a character who is Pathologically Honest, and you put them in a situation where they must lie to save someone, you have an instant movie (or the opposite, like in 1997’s Liar Liar with Jim Carrey).
The best scenes happen when a character’s traits make it impossible for them to take the “easy” way out. If your protagonist is Arrogant, they won’t ask for help, even when the building is literally on fire. Consequently, that arrogance is what keeps the story moving toward a climax.
To ensure your plot and character traits are perfectly aligned, check out our guide on character development.
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How to Assign Traits to Your Cast: A Step-by-Step Test
- The Dominant Trait
What is the one word people would use to describe them at a funeral?
- The Hidden Flaw
What is the trait they try to hide from everyone else? (e.g., Logan Roy’s hidden vulnerability regarding his legacy).
- The Physical Manifestation
How does the trait show up in their body? A Neurotic character might constantly chew their lip; a Commanding character might take up as much physical space as possible.
Action Step: If you’re feeling stuck, try filling out our character questionnaire. It’s designed to dig past the surface and find the “hidden flaws” that make a character feel real.
FAQ About Character Traits
A trait is a personality feature (e.g., Anxious), whereas a habit is the action that results from it (e.g., Biting fingernails). Therefore, you should always try to find the trait that causes the habit.
Yes. If you give someone ten major traits, they become “Muddled.” Aim for one dominant trait, one supporting strength, and one major flaw.
Definitely. A villain who is Polite or Nurturing (like High Evolutionary in Guardians 3) is much scarier than one who is just “Evil.” It makes them feel like a real person with a warped logic.
Think of a character trait as a specific ingredient (like “sarcastic” or “reckless”) and a character type as the final dish (like “The Rogue” or “The Mentor”). Specifically, a trait describes how a person behaves on a granular level, while a type is a broader label or archetype that groups those traits into a recognizable mold.
For example, you might give your “Hero” (the type) the traits of “Insecurity” and “Dry Humor” to make them feel unique. Ultimately, traits are the building blocks you use to customize the “types” everyone already knows.
Conclusion
Character traits are the building blocks of a memorable script. By moving away from “The Ultimate List” and focusing on the psychological “why” behind your characters, you create people the audience wants to follow—even when they’re making terrible choices.
The friction between who a character wants to be and who they actually are is where the best drama lives.
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Up Next:
What is a Character Arc? Types, Examples + How to Write One
Traits give your character personality — arcs give them movement.
Once you know who your character is, the next step is understanding how they change over the course of the story. Learn how to build meaningful character arcs that feel earned, emotional, and true to the traits you’ve chosen.
