Move Over Superman: These 10 Antiheroes Redefine What It Means to Be a Hero Today – SOFREP News Team
There is something about the traditional hero in American popular culture that we find… lacking. Whether it be the snow-white purity of heart, the absolute courage of convictions, the unwavering righteousness of moral cause — or likely, a combination of all three — we often find such heroic archetypes a bit tiresome.
Enter the antihero—the deeply flawed yet fiercely compelling character we love to root for. They stumble, they falter, and they often fight their own demons before they face any villains. Despite their missteps, they rise to the occasion when it truly matters, embodying a more relatable (and often more entertaining) brand of heroism.
So, let’s dive into an updated roster of today’s most badass antiheroes in film, television, and literature. Some classics remain, but there are new faces to cheer (and cringe) for along the way.
The Punisher
Frank Castle, Marvel’s relentless vigilante, is still one of the greatest antiheroes around. Jon Bernthal’s portrayal on Netflix’s The Punisher set the bar for gritty realism, and with rumors swirling about his potential return in the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again series on Disney+, fans are eagerly awaiting more of Castle’s raw, unfiltered quest for justice.
The Accountant
Ben Affleck’s Christian Wolff remains a standout antihero, blending mathematical brilliance with deadly precision. Talk of a sequel to The Accountant has kept fans buzzing, with hopes to see more of Wolff’s morally ambiguous escapades as he navigates the criminal underworld while protecting the innocent.
John Wick
Keanu Reeves has turned John Wick into an action franchise juggernaut. With John Wick: Chapter 4 delivering breathtaking fight choreography and an expansive assassin universe, Reeves has cemented his place as the antihero king. And with a John Wick prequel series (The Continental) and a spinoff (Ballerina) starring Ana de Armas, the Wickiverse shows no signs of slowing down.
There is something about the traditional hero in American popular culture that we find… lacking. Whether it be the snow-white purity of heart, the absolute courage of convictions, the unwavering righteousness of moral cause — or likely, a combination of all three — we often find such heroic archetypes a bit tiresome.
Enter the antihero—the deeply flawed yet fiercely compelling character we love to root for. They stumble, they falter, and they often fight their own demons before they face any villains. Despite their missteps, they rise to the occasion when it truly matters, embodying a more relatable (and often more entertaining) brand of heroism.
So, let’s dive into an updated roster of today’s most badass antiheroes in film, television, and literature. Some classics remain, but there are new faces to cheer (and cringe) for along the way.
The Punisher
Frank Castle, Marvel’s relentless vigilante, is still one of the greatest antiheroes around. Jon Bernthal’s portrayal on Netflix’s The Punisher set the bar for gritty realism, and with rumors swirling about his potential return in the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again series on Disney+, fans are eagerly awaiting more of Castle’s raw, unfiltered quest for justice.
The Accountant
Ben Affleck’s Christian Wolff remains a standout antihero, blending mathematical brilliance with deadly precision. Talk of a sequel to The Accountant has kept fans buzzing, with hopes to see more of Wolff’s morally ambiguous escapades as he navigates the criminal underworld while protecting the innocent.
John Wick
Keanu Reeves has turned John Wick into an action franchise juggernaut. With John Wick: Chapter 4 delivering breathtaking fight choreography and an expansive assassin universe, Reeves has cemented his place as the antihero king. And with a John Wick prequel series (The Continental) and a spinoff (Ballerina) starring Ana de Armas, the Wickiverse shows no signs of slowing down.
Jessica Jones
Krysten Ritter’s portrayal of the superpowered detective battling trauma and a haunting nemesis remains iconic. With Marvel’s street-level heroes being revitalized under Disney+, fans are holding their breath for Ritter to return as Jessica Jones, bringing her no-nonsense attitude back to the screen.
Lorraine Broughton (Atomic Blonde)
Charlize Theron’s vodka-swilling MI6 operative from AtomicBlonde is still unmatched in style and ferocity. Rumors of a sequel have fans eager to see Lorraine Broughton back in action, navigating Cold War espionage with a sledgehammer-like finesse.
Jack Reacher
Amazon’s Reacher series, starring Alan Ritchson, has revitalized Lee Child’s iconic drifter. With a towering physical presence and a knack for dismantling bad guys with both brains and brawn, this adaptation feels truer to the books than the Tom Cruise films. Season 2 promises even more bone-crunching action.
Deadpool
Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool has only grown more outrageous and beloved. With Deadpool 3 bringing Wade Wilson into the Marvel Cinematic Universe alongside Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, fans are gearing up for another round of irreverent humor and fourth-wall-breaking chaos.
Carol Peletier (The Walking Dead)
Melissa McBride’s Carol remains a cornerstone of The Walking Dead universe. Now, with The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon spinoff teasing Carol’s return, fans are ready to see this survivalist queen back in action, outsmarting both zombies and humans alike.
Eleven (Stranger Things)
Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven has grown from a lost girl with telekinetic powers to a determined young woman fighting to save her found family. With Stranger Things entering its fifth and final season, Eleven’s journey promises to be a defining moment in modern antihero storytelling.
Al Swearengen (Deadwood)
Though HBO finally wrapped up Deadwood with a long-awaited movie in 2019, Ian McShane’s Al Swearengen remains a masterclass in antihero complexity. His Shakespearean profanity and ruthless pragmatism ensure his legacy as one of television’s greatest antiheroes.
Honorable Mentions
Homelander (The Boys): A terrifying antihero in the guise of a traditional superhero, Anthony Starr’s portrayal is both chilling and captivating.
Geralt of Rivia (The Witcher): With Henry Cavill’s swan song in Season 3, Geralt’s monster-slaying adventures continue to resonate with fans.
Tommy Shelby (Peaky Blinders): Cillian Murphy’s sharp-dressed gangster-turned-politician remains the epitome of calculated chaos.
Why We Love Antiheroes
At their core, antiheroes remind us of the messy, imperfect side of humanity. They aren’t paragons of virtue, but they fight for what they believe in—sometimes begrudgingly, often imperfectly, and always with grit. They stumble through moral gray areas, making them feel more like us than the untouchable ideals of classic heroes.
Who are your favorite antiheroes? Drop your picks in the comments below, and let’s celebrate the flawed, fierce, and fantastic characters who make storytelling unforgettable.
This article was originally published in 2017 and has been updated for republication in 2024 to reflect current trends and additions.
