Rooting for Nobody
Unconventional Storytelling and Nightmare Books
When it comes to entertainment, I’ve never needed a character to root for. Seeing the good guy win is not a requirement, and sometimes seeing the bad guys succeed can make a story even better. Don’t get me wrong, there are incredible heroes that are easy to root for, like Batman, John McClain in the Die Hard movies, or Atticus Finch from one of my favorite novels, To Kill a Mockingbird. There are also flawed anti-heroes like John Rambo or reluctant heroes like Frodo Baggins. But then there are those rare tales like Breaking Bad, which offer a character arch from guy-to-root-for to incorrigible villain. These test the audience’s morality by asking just how long you’re willing to root for the protagonist as he shifts into the antagonist. Many of you will recognize this same theme in some of my work.
Who is there to root for in masterpieces like A Clockwork Orange and Taxi Driver? What about excellent stories where you find it difficult to like any of the characters?
Personally, I love plots like that. Having grown up on Tales from the Crypt probably helps. Most of those stories have exclusively bad characters and worse characters, and usually we see them get their comeuppance. We smile and say, “Good. That’s what they get.” I also love pulp crime novels because they tend to focus on bad guys going up against other bad guys. In books by Jim Thompson, George V. Higgins, and Ted Lewis, we end up inadvertently rooting for criminals because they’re the main characters, which gives us more opportunities to relate to them even if we don’t approve of what they’re doing. This can also be said of some crime movies, like A Simple Plan, Payback, Bad Lieutenant, or the one I recently revisited, U Turn. The latter is one of director Oliver Stone’s least popular movies, but it’s become one of my favorites because nearly every character is a scumbag or psychopath, making it feel like a long Tales from the Crypt episode, especially with its gloriously 90’s cast (and it’s definitely way better than Bordello of Blood, but what isn’t?). I highly recommend horror fans revisit U Turn. It’s overlooked, bizarre, and worth the watch for Billy Bob Thornton’s performance alone.
Sometimes unlikable characters aren’t even villains, they’re just flawed. Take the movie Sideways, for example, or the book it’s based on. Both were critical darlings, but some people thought the main characters were just a couple of assholes. Here’s the thing—they are assholes, but flawed characters can feel more realistic and relatable if they reflect the behavioral problems of everyday human beings. That’s why Sideways works despite Miles stealing from his mother while Jack cheats on his fiancé. The mistakes these men make are very human—even common. That doesn’t mean we have to like them or forgive them, but we can still identify with them if we’re honest with ourselves about our own failings, particularly when the characters want to learn from their mistakes and become better people, as Miles seems to.
In some cases, unlikable characters are the only way to get the story’s point across. Writers create bad people to reflect the ills of society or make a statement about something bigger than the work itself. The books and films of the 1970s captured this better than any other decade.
I don’t expect my readers to like the main characters in some of my books, as I never intended them to be likeable. I have an author’s kink for creating the worst human beings I can imagine. I can’t begin to tell you how often I’ve been writing a story and thought to myself, “Oh boy. This is going to piss people off.” So what do I do? I just keep writing it, as long as I believe the offensive bit is called for, either for the sake of making the character more loathsome or adding to the overall horror of the story.
Some folks just need a character to root for, and I get that. We all grow up with simpler, kinder stories with clear heroes and villains, like in every Disney movie. There’s a princess and a witch, a Robin Hood and a Prince John. Everything is easy to digest, and the endings are always happy. The same goes for much of the Marvel and DC stuff that has dominated (and in some ways ruined) all forms of modern entertainment. It’s only as we get older that we’re introduced to morally gray characters. Some people appreciate them, but others, at the very least, want a protagonist. It doesn’t mean they have juvenile tastes. They just have a preference, same as I prefer the horror genre to the fantasy genre. Every genre has its merits. It’s up to the reader if they enjoy them or not.
Personally, I love morally gray characters, stories with no one to root for, and finales where either the bad guy wins or everyone dies. I love them because they subvert audience expectations, making the stories less predictable. I love them because they put a magnifying glass on our fucked-up society. Most of all, I love them because they’re more complex, unique, and enjoyable for me, both as an audience member and a creator.
The only thing better than giving my audience no one to root for is giving them someone they initially root for only to discover they shouldn’t have, or someone they root for despite how horrible they are, simply because they’re so entertaining.
You can always count on me to give you assholes.
Now let me tell you about a man who expertly handles no-one-to-root for storytelling, Scottish horror author John McNee. I’ve known John for years now, having met him through our mutual publisher Blood Bound Books. He’s a friend and a colleague, having appeared on my old podcast several times, and I was even lucky enough to beta read a novel he hasn’t released yet. We also share a strong bond over our passion for Charles Bronson movies. John and I finally met in person at Authorcon a few years ago, and I only wish we’d had more time together.
When I first started reading John’s stuff, I was impressed by his short stories in the anthologies we were both featured in. Then I read his novel, Prince of Nightmares. That was a decade ago, and I still think it’s one of the best indie horror novels out there.
Here’s what I said about it in 2016:
“The best novel debut I’ve read in years. McNee pulls you in from the first page and plunges you deep into a terror-abyss that leaves you feeling emotionally pulverized. His characters have many dimensions (including his less-than-hero protagonist) and each of them will surprise you during this pitch-black plot. McNee takes the haunted house story in new directions with Prince of Nightmares and elevates the classic theme to a level that stunned me, reminding me of the experience of reading The Shining (and leaving me just a rattled). If you love fresh, mind-bending horror, you’ve found yourself a dream. Just be ready to sleep with the lights on.”
In celebration of its tenth anniversary, Prince of Nightmares is this month’s read at the We Tried Book Club, hosted by book review influencers Chandra Claypool, Jessica McComas, and Kami Martin. John McNee will be discussing the book with everyone too!
Here’s how the hosts describe the We Tried Book Club experience:
“A very relaxed book club where you read at your leisure. Each month we will have a live discussion via Zoom where anyone can join but be mindful of spoilers. You can sign up for the bookclub here:
If you prefer not to sign up this way, just drop one of us a DM and we’ll add you to the list and make sure you get an invite to the discussion.
Each month we will give away SIX copies of the book we are reading and will try to always have the author join the live discussion. For January, we have John McNee joining us on February 7th at 7pm EST to discuss Prince of Nightmares. Blood Bound Books will also be donating a few anthologies that McNee is a part of for our giveaways!
To enter the giveaway, simply look for this photo on one of our Instagram pages (or DM @wherethereadergrows on TikTok). While it would be nice if you gave us all a follow, we don’t require this to enter any of our giveaways. We just want to get these books out into the world!”
Along with reading John McNee’s excellent work, I also suggest following his enormously popular TikTok. And joining the We Tried Book Club is simply a no-brainer. Chandra, Jessica, and Kami are great at what they do, and their love for reading is highly infectious. Plus, you can win free stuff!
Upcoming appearances:
White River Fan Con. February 21st and 22nd at Batesville Community Center. Batesville, AR. This is my first time signing books in Arkansas!
Scare That Care’s Authorcon 6. February 27th – March 1st at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel. Williamsburg, VA.
Dark Reads 2026. March 28th at the Waterfire Arts Center. Providence, RI.
Dark Summer Book Fest. August 8th at the Framingham Public Library. Framingham, MA.
I hope to see you there! Some appearances may change, and I’m sure other ones will be added as the year rolls on.
That’s all for now. Stay safe and warm as the storm of the century of the week hits!
Your pal always,
Kris
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Shop: TRIANAHORROR.COM
Devil's Rejects is the first movie that comes to mind with protagonists that are also terrible people. It's like cheering for a pro wrestling heel.
Great to see John getting the love. I have some of his books i still need to read, but I had such a bloody blast reading his novel, Hail Santa!
Love what you discuss about stories with nobody "good" to root for. Ketchum's The Lost was so fascinating as a result of this angle. Even the somewhat decent charactors felt like they needed a slap now and again.
Have you seen the Penhuin miniseries? That one had me so back and forth on rooting for and being disgusted with the Pengiun. Absolutely brilliant show.