Concepts
Characters and superobjectives
A superobjective is what a character wants most throughout the entire film: the overarching goal that drives every decision they make.
Every character pursues small goals scene by scene, but they all serve a larger desire that shapes their whole arc: the superobjective. The protagonist and the antagonist clash precisely because their superobjectives are incompatible.
Identifying the superobjective lets you explain why a character behaves as they do. Distinguishing primary forces (protagonist and antagonist), secondary and tertiary ones organizes the cast by their weight in the story.
Example
Finding Nemo: Marlin wants to get his son back at all costs (superobjective). The ocean, the dangers and his own fear oppose him.
How to spot it
Ask yourself: “what does this character absolutely want to achieve?” That answer is their superobjective.
Frequently asked questions
What is a superobjective in film?
It is a character’s maximum, ongoing desire across the whole work — the one that gives coherence to all their actions.
Do all characters have a superobjective?
Main characters do; secondary and tertiary ones usually have narrower goals that support or hinder the protagonist’s.