Vulnerable hero

In movies like the Equalizer, the protagonist is consistently competent and as an audience we sit in awe for a couple of hours.

But I think there is something to be said for the hero’s meltdown.

Where they fall to their knees, confess that they can’t overcome this hurdle and quit.

I think it does two things, it helps the audience connect to the hero (because we’ve all had those moments) and it deepens the emotional rollercoaster before the eventual final peak.

It means the story waits a couple of minutes while the magnitude of what the hero is trying to achieve dawn’s on the audience.

And they think to themselves – oh yeah this is an insurmountable task.

Then when it comes to the finale the audience is both rooting for the hero because they were vulnerable with them and impressed when they achieve it.