07.02.2023 •

Empathy in fiction: portrayals in movies and television

Empaths often become a powerful force that can change the trajectory of conflicts or transform the dynamics of relationships. Here are some examples of how empathy is used on the big and small screen.

Star Wars

Empathy is deeply interwoven with the moral fabric of both the Jedi and Sith. To the Jedi, empathy goes beyond mere perception or understanding of others' emotions—it's about forging a compassionate and caring bond with all living beings and fostering harmony and peace in the galaxy. Hence, masters teach their padawans to understand the struggles, fears, and hopes of those they protect.

The Sith, practitioners of the dark side of the Force, use their empathy to fuel their power and ambition. They also exploit the fears and vulnerabilities of others.

Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) is a prime example of a Force-sensitive individual who possesses a strong empathic ability. Anakin's natural aptitude is unparalleled. However, this power becomes a double-edged sword. The turmoil within him overshadowed his capacity to empathize with others, ultimately leading him down a path of darkness and transformation into Darth Vader (played by David Prowse in the original trilogy).

Marvel Multiverse

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, one notable example comes from “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”, where Mantis (Pom Klementieff) can perceive and manipulate the emotions of others. The death of trillions of lives causes Mantis to be flooded with an overpowering wave of emotions following Thanos's snap.

In season seven of “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen) acquires empathic abilities that alter her perception and interaction after a near-death experience.

Exploring empathy in Wicked Hunt

SK Alexander explores how Nathaniel Colt’s empathy shapes the narrative within his paranormal suspense thriller, Wicked Hunt, Book One in “The Empath Series”.

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994)

Counselor Deanna Troi's (Marina Sirtis) empathic prowess results from her heritage—being a half-human, half-Betazoid. Deanna's telepathic and empathic capabilities grant her an invaluable role in the crew of the USS Enterprise-D, where she serves as the ship's counselor and advisor. Her ability to empathize and offer insights plays a significant role in assisting Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the rest of the command crew in decision-making and conflict resolution.

Profiler (1996-2000)

Dr. Samantha “Sam” Waters (Ally Walker) is a borderline-empathic criminal profiler working for the FBI. In her mind, she “sees” the thoughts of the perpetrators and their victims. Her insights help her understand criminals on a deep level, giving her valuable clues normal investigations might not catch.

Charmed (1998-2006)

In the supernatural TV series, Phoebe Halliwell’s (Alyssa Milano) Wiccan powers gradually evolve to include empathy. Also, her Psychic Reflection enables her to reflect emotions and memories onto others, creating a unique and versatile arsenal against the forces of evil.

Empathy in fiction: portrayals in literature and comics

While paranormal abilities like telepathy, telekinesis, and clairvoyance often receive the most attention, empathy still is a mainstay in fiction.

Angel (1999-2004)

In the spin-off of the beloved “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” series, two central characters possess empathic abilities:

Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan aka Lorne (Andy Hallett) is an anagogic demon who reads people’s auras and sees their future while they sing, hum, or whistle. This enables him to guide the show's protagonists.

Late in the series, Illyria, an ancient and powerful demoness, takes over the body of Winifred 'Fred' Burkle (both portrayed by Amy Acker). In a poignant twist, Illyria exhibits an empathic link with Wesley Wyndam-Pryce (Alexis Denisof) that allows her to sense Wesley's profound love and grief for Fred, creating a complex emotional dynamic.

Firefly (2002-2003)

In the short-lived sci-fi series “Firefly” and its subsequent film “Serenity”, River Tam’s (Summer Glau) perceptiveness and intuition are both a strength and a burden. What makes River unique is her inability to filter or compartmentalize information due to the trauma and experimentation she experienced. It's a total overload of sensations that leaves her unable to tell what's hers and what she's picking up from others.

Wire in the Blood (2002-2008)

Dr. Tony Hill’s (Robson Green) empathy allows him to comprehend the intricate workings of criminals’ thoughts and emotions. Tony delves deep into perpetrators' twisted psychology, almost becoming them in his quest to understand their motives and methods. However, the burden of constantly inhabiting the minds of murderers takes a toll on his mental and emotional well-being.

The series was based on the “Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series” series by Scottish writer Valarie "Val" McDermid.

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Stargate Atlantis (2004-2008)

Teyla Emmagan’s (Rachel Luttrell) tele-empathetic power enables her to sense the Wraith—the dominant species in the Pegasus Galaxy. Several times, that ability provides crucial insights into the intentions and disposition of the Wraith.

Hannibal (2013-2015)

Will Graham's (Hugh Dancy) empathic ability plunges him into the darkest corners of the human psyche of the killers he pursues. In visions, he experiences their thoughts, emotions, and motives as if they were his own—blurring the boundaries between his identity and the twisted minds of the criminals he hunts.

The series was based on Thomas Harris’s “Hannibal Lecter” novels, and movies such as “Manhunter” and “Silence of the Lambs”.