Fans of some of the biggest movies and television shows in history invest months, years, and in some cases, decades of time into watching their favorite characters go on adventures, save the day, and experience the same emotions of life that they do. This investment is returned to the fans through “event” releases such as Avengers: Endgame, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, just a couple of many examples. The lead-up to these events come months or sometimes years before they are released, and are ripe for prognostications from fans and critics alike.
One fascinating fixation tends to be the question, “Who is going to die?”. Which hero will make the ultimate sacrifice? Which villain will fall defending their cause? This has not only become a possibility in the eyes of fans, but an expectation that writers and directors have the juggle when making these events. So why are we obsessed with our favorite characters dying?
Attachment to the Characters
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Long-term storytelling in films has become much more commonplace in Hollywood these days, with every studio continuously chasing the formula that only Disney and Marvel have seemed to accomplish successfully. In decades past, long-term storytelling would consist of a sequel, or maybe a third movie within a franchise. Ever since Marvel brought us Iron Man in 2008, for that particular brand, longevity has become the name of the game. Though different directors, writers, and sometimes actor styles were brought in for a particular character, for the most part that character remained the one the audience fell in love, or hated, with the moment they appeared on-screen.
Fans got to grow attachments to these characters for over ten years before the Russo Brothers brought us Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. To some, they became heroes, friends, even family in their everyday lives. Through masterful writing and directing of these characters throughout the years, the creators of these films built, deepened, and strengthened the relationships that fans have with these characters. There inevitably comes a time when fans have to come to terms with the fates of their favorite characters, and sometimes so do the actors who portray them.
Nostalgic Impact
20th Century Fox
Along with long-term storytelling, nostalgia plays a large role in the obsession with favorite characters dying. Star Wars is a worldwide recognizable franchise, but not one known for offing their top characters… at least not at first. Sure, A New Hope has the death of Obi-Wan Kenobi, but audiences in 1977 had only known Kenobi for half of the film before he was struck down by Vader. Return of the Jedi brings an end to both Yoda and Darth Vader, but neither of which fans would have had a deep connection to when the films first came out. Sure, the prequels see Qui-Gon Jinn and Mace Windu die, but the lack of connections to those characters just make them meaningless deaths. Fast-forward 38 years, and the deaths of Han, Luke, and Lea hit different. Whether it was seeing the original films in the theaters as a kid or watching them with your mom or dad because they loved it so much as a child. The nostalgia comes rushing back when we see these characters again and cuts like a knife when we see them fall.
As fictional as our favorite characters are, the psychology surrounding our obsession with them dying and the subsequent mourning of them is very real. As discussed in The Miami Hurricane 2020 article, societal trends can emerge from entertainment and firmly cement themselves into cultural lingo and lifestyles. Essentially stating that the relationship between a fan and one of their favorite characters does not end when they leave the movie theater, it is something they bring home with them, something that becomes a part of them.
The Thrill of Anxiety
The connection runs even deeper with properties from Marvel and Star Wars. You can find your favorite characters in all different avenues from these properties. Comics, books, fan films, you name it; you can find one of your favorite Marvel or Star Wars characters there. Fans can even “lose” themselves entirely in a fictional character, according to a 2012 Science Daily article. An air of anxiety about our favorite characters washes across us, as it would if a real person we cared about was in peril. The connection runs so deep that when we see that character meet their demise, it hits as if a close friend or family member has passed away. With some fans even going as far as convincing themselves and others that there is a cut of the movie where their favorite makes it out alive.
How much death can one fan take? It is fair to ask whether the obsession with our favorite characters dying is just a fleeting emotion. With franchises rushing to get from point A to point B, there barely seems to be enough time for audiences to build the same relationships as they had in the past. Including the powerhouse that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has seen a slight cold streak in critics praise. Will fans really care as much when Doctor Strange passes away as they did when Tony Stark sacrificed himself with a snap of his fingers? Truth be told, fans of these franchises are all-in when it comes to their favorites, and their love for these characters will continue no matter how many “by-the-book” situations they find their heroes in.
