One of the hallmarks of great fiction, whether in film or literature, is the ability to present complex and nuanced characters. While it may be tempting to present characters as clear heroes or villains, the best fiction often eschews this approach, instead presenting characters that are more true to life. These characters are not necessarily good or evil, but rather are simply acting in accordance with the logic of their system, pursuing their own interests without regard for the consequences or for the greater good.

There are many examples of this type of character in fiction. In Martin Scorsese’s film “The Wolf of Wall Street,” the protagonist Jordan Belfort is not presented as a traditional hero or villain, but rather as a complex and flawed individual who is simply pursuing his own interests. Belfort is a stockbroker who becomes incredibly wealthy by exploiting loopholes in the system and engaging in illegal activities. While his actions are certainly unethical, he is not portrayed as a cartoonish villain. Instead, the film presents him as a complex individual who is motivated by his own desires and who is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve them.

Similarly, in the novel “American Psycho” by Bret Easton Ellis, the protagonist Patrick Bateman is a wealthy and successful investment banker who is also a serial killer. While his actions are clearly evil, the novel does not present him as a traditional villain. Instead, it presents him as a product of his environment, a wealthy and privileged individual who is completely detached from the world around him.

This type of character is not limited to contemporary fiction. In William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet,” the titular character is a complex individual who is motivated by his own desires and fears. While he is often presented as a hero, he is also capable of great cruelty and violence. His actions are driven by his own desires for revenge and his fear of the unknown.