Dynamic, Round and Flat Characters in Movies and TV Shows

Characters are the heart of any narrative, be it in literature, film or television. In the world of storytelling, characters can be categorized into various types based on their depth, complexity and evolution throughout the narrative. Three key types often discussed in literary and cinematic analysis are dynamic, round and flat characters. These classifications help to understand how characters contribute to the plot and engage the audience.

Dynamic Characters: The Ones Who Evolve

Dynamic characters are those who undergo significant internal change over the course of a story. Their arc usually revolves around personal growth, revelations or fundamental shifts in perspective. These transformations can result from internal struggles, relationships, or external conflicts that force them to evolve.

In movies and TV shows, dynamic characters often take center stage. Their development provides emotional depth and drives much of the narrative’s core tension and resolution. The audience is typically invested in their journey because they represent change—whether for better or worse—mirroring real-life experiences and personal growth.

Examples of Dynamic Characters:

Walter White (Breaking Bad) – Walter’s transformation from a mild-mannered chemistry teacher into a ruthless dr*g lord is one of the most famous dynamic arcs in television. His gradual moral decay captivates viewers as his ambitions and circumstances reshape him into an almost unrecognizable person by the end of the series.

Tony Stark (Iron Man) – Tony begins as a self-absorbed billionaire, but over the course of several Marvel movies, his character matures into a selfless hero willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good. His dynamic arc reflects significant internal growth tied to his relationships, responsibilities, and the world around him.

Dynamic characters make stories feel alive because they reflect real human change and development, whether spurred by trauma, love, ambition, or redemption.

Round Characters: Complex and Multi-Dimensional

Round characters are characters with depth and complexity. Unlike static or flat characters (who remain mostly unchanged and simplistic), round characters have layers to their personalities, motivations and emotions. They often have conflicting desires or motivations, making them feel more realistic and relatable to audiences. Even if they don’t necessarily change or grow (like dynamic characters), they still come across as multi-dimensional and intricate.

The strength of a round character lies in their ability to surprise the audience with their complexity, yet still feel consistent with their established nature. They offer rich backstories, unique personalities, and quirks, and their decisions are often more unpredictable because they have conflicting motivations.

Examples of Round Characters:

Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones) – Daenerys is a round character due to her internal contradictions. She is portrayed as both a liberator and a tyrant, a compassionate queen and a ruthless conqueror. Her motives are deeply complex, and she struggles between her desire for power and her longing to be a just ruler.

Rick Grimes (The Walking Dead) – Rick starts as a morally sound sheriff trying to protect his family, but as the series progresses, his character becomes more conflicted, making difficult decisions that question the boundaries of morality. His evolving personality and the constant tension between his survival instincts and his humanity make him a rounded character.

Round characters don’t necessarily need to undergo profound change; they are often defined by their depth and contradictions, keeping the audience intrigued.

Flat Characters: The Static and Predictable

Flat characters are the opposite of round characters. They are typically one-dimensional, with little to no complexity, and serve a specific purpose in the story. Flat characters often remain static throughout the narrative, meaning they do not undergo significant internal changes or development. They are usually defined by a single trait, role or idea.

While flat characters might sound unimportant, they play an essential role in storytelling. Their predictability can help emphasize the development of dynamic or round characters, provide comic relief, or serve as plot devices. They are often used to reinforce specific themes or to contrast with more complex characters.

Examples of Flat Characters:

Bruce the Shark (Finding Nemo) – Bruce, the shark who insists he’s “a friend, not food,” is a flat character. His role is primarily to provide comic relief and tension for a brief moment, but he does not grow or evolve beyond that purpose.

Karen (Mean Girls) – Karen, one of the ‘Plastics,’ is a stereotypically ditzy character who remains largely unchanged throughout the film. Her predictability adds humour to the movie and provides a contrast to more dynamic characters like Cady or Regina.

Flat characters are often minor characters or caricatures meant to fulfill a certain narrative function. They can be memorable in their simplicity and are important for fleshing out the world of the story without overwhelming the plot with too many complex arcs.

Dynamic vs. Round vs. Flat Characters: How They Interact

Though dynamic, round, and flat characters have distinct definitions, they often overlap in storytelling. A dynamic character, for example, can also be a round character. This means that as they change throughout the story, they are also complex, with intricate motivations and internal conflicts. Conversely, a flat character can be static, playing their assigned role without adding any deeper complexity.

In ensemble-driven narratives like TV shows or large film franchises, a mix of dynamic, round, and flat characters is essential for balancing the plot. While dynamic characters drive change and growth, round characters offer depth and nuance, and flat characters provide simplicity and clarity. The interplay between these types creates a textured world that mirrors the complexity of real life, while also keeping the story engaging and accessible.

Also Read: The Role of the Unreliable Narrator in American Gothic Literature

The Role of Characters in Creating Compelling Stories

In movies and TV shows, the richness of the narrative often depends on the careful balance between dynamic, round and flat characters. Each type serves a unique function, and together they shape the plot, theme and emotional core of the story. Dynamic characters pull audiences in with their personal evolution, round characters engage them with depth and complexity, and flat characters provide the necessary contrast and simplicity to highlight the larger narrative.

Ultimately, it is this combination of different character types that allows audiences to connect with the story on multiple levels, making it memorable and impactful. Whether you are watching a complex drama or a light-hearted comedy, understanding these character types can deepen your appreciation of the storytelling craft.

–Silviya.Y