Character archetypes are essential tools not only for narrative stories but for the writers who write them. Archetypes, especially in genres like science fiction, work as templates for writers, allowing them to utilize particular familiar tropes—and sometimes cliches—to offer readers or audiences something familiar to grasp as the story unfolds. 

The great thing about archetypes is that you can use them not only to drive the story, plot, and narrative but also to subvert the expectations of readers and audiences by breaking the mold and taking the story—and their respective common character archetypes—in unique and exciting directions. 

With that in mind, we will explore ten character archetypes in sci-fi movies. But before we get into the archetypes within the genre, let’s dive into what the sci-fic genre entails.

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What Is Science Fiction?

Science fiction is best defined as stories that involve speculative concepts and narratives centered around theoretical science and technology of the future. 

In movies, sci-fi can be bold and significant like you would find in 2001: A Space Odyssey...

... or sci-fi can be minimalist, small, and character-driven like Her.

The genre allows writers to center their concepts and stories around speculative science and technology of possible futures, creating engaging, unique, and wondrous worlds and the characters that inhabit them.

Whether it’s the fatalist nature of The Matrix, the terror of The Terminator, or the exploration of Star Trek, science fiction has always captured the imaginations of everyone, which makes it one of the most in-demand genres in literature, television, and cinema. 

Now, let’s explore what character archetypes these strange new worlds. 

Read More: 5 Popular Sci-Fi Tropes in Movies and TV

10 Science Fiction Character Archetypes

Here, we explore ten archetypes found in science fiction, detailing their roles and typical character arcs, each with examples from iconic science fiction films.

1. The Chosen One

Often seen as the destined savior, the chosen one's journey is central to the film’s plot. This character archetype usually begins their journey unaware of their importance.

As the plot unfolds, they grow into their power and ultimately fulfill their destiny. Either they have a secret power hidden within them, or they have knowledge, perspective, or abilities necessary to bring change to the new world they now inhabit.

Examples Included:

• Neo (Keanu Reeves) in The Matrix
• Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
• Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield) in Ender’s Game

Read More: Action, Reaction, Consequences: Exploring Your Hero's External ARC

2. The Mentor

This archetype guides the protagonist, helping them to harness their abilities and understand their journey. Their belief in the protagonist often leads to them sacrificing themselves for the greater good, facilitating the protagonist's growth. 

Examples Included:

• Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
• Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) in The Matrix
• Professor Charles Xavier (Sir Patrick Stewart) in X-Men

3. The Mad Scientist

The mad scientist is a very common character archetype in science fiction. They are driven by curiosity and ambition—sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse—often creating or discovering something that threatens the world. 

Their character arc usually starts with them being obsessed and unchecked until they must face the consequences of their actions, often leading to downfall or redemption.

Examples Include:

• Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) in Back to the Future
• Dr. Eldon Tyrell (Joe Turkel) in Blade Runner
• Jon Hammond (Richard Attenborough) in Jurassic Park

4. The Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not only the most common character archetype in science fiction—it is also growing in interest at an exponential rate due to the sci-fi of yesteryear slowly becoming a stark reality in today’s headlines.

In sci-fi stories, AI challenges what it means to be human, often evolving beyond its programming as it gains self-awareness, confronts its creator, and decides its place in the universe. AI can be a friend, foe, or destroyer.

Examples Include:

• HAL 9000 (voiced by Douglas Rain) in 2001: A Space Odyssey
• David (Michael Fassbender) in Prometheus
• Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) in Her

Read More: 10 Villain Archetypes Found in Movies and TV

5. The Space Explore

The space explorer is another prevalent character archetype in science fiction. When humankind eventually traveled toward the stars in the 1960s, science fiction slowly explored how far humankind could travel in the vastness of the cosmos. The space explorer does just that, venturing into the unknown and driving the exploration and expansion of human frontiers.

Space explorers face the unknown, overcome existential threats, return changed, or not return at all.

Examples Include:

• Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) in Star Trek
• Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) in Ad Astra
• Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) in Gravity

6. The Survivor

A sub-genre of sci-fi is the post-apocalyptic story, where something terrible has happened to the world, turning it into an example of the apocalypse many fear will occur.

The survivor navigates post-apocalyptic landscapes or hostile environments, focusing on human resilience as they overcome initial despair or denial, find new strength, and often rebuild a semblance of community. And sometimes they just, well, survive.

Examples Include:

• Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) in Mad Max
• Taylor (Charlton Heston) in Planet of the Apes
• Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in The Hunger Games

7. The Alien

They explore or confront humanity, with outcomes ranging from peaceful integration to hostile conflict. This character archetype can be the protagonist, villain, mentor, friend, or messenger.

Examples Include:

• Klaatu (Michael Rennie) in The Day the Earth Stood Still
• Superman/Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) in Superman
• E.T. in E.T. the Extra -Terrestrial

8. The Tyrant

The tyrant is usually the villain or antagonist of science fiction stories—especially in another sci-fi sub-genre, the dystopian future. They seek control over others, often using superior technology or powers.

They rise to power through oppression, face rebellion, and are ultimately overthrown unless they learn to redeem themselves.

Examples Include:

• Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
• Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg (Gary Oldman) in The Fifth Element
• Supreme Chancellor Adam Sutler (John Hurt) in V for Vendetta

9. The Rebel

The rebel fights against the oppressive systems of the tyrant, embodying the spirit of resistance. You’ll often find rebels starting out as skeptics or victims, but they later become leaders and often sacrifice their ordinary existence for not just their own freedom, but for the freedom of others.

Examples Include:

• Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) in Firefly
• Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in The Hunger Games
• Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) in Ready Player One

10. The Time Traveler

Since time travel is a key trope in science fiction stories, those stories need a time traveler who navigates through time, exploring the consequences of altering past or future events. By the end, they often learn the importance of the natural timeline, attempting to right wrongs without further disruption.

Examples Include:

• Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) in Back to the Future
• Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) and, later, Dr. Ben Song (Raymond Lee) in Quantum Leap
• Barry Allen/The Flash (Grant Gustin) in The Flash

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These science fiction character archetypes shape the vast universe of the genre, each bringing unique contributions that challenge and expand our understanding of the future, human nature, and the cosmos. Through their journeys, these characters engage us in profound narratives that question the future, and our place within it.

Read More: 10 Character Archetypes in Comedies

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Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison for Sony Studios and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.

He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner, the feature thriller Hunter’s Creed, and many Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @KenMovies and Instagram @KenMovies76