21 Narcissistic Fictional Characters

When people think of the word narcissist and what it means, Patrick Bateman from the movie American Psycho is probably one of the first characters to come to mind. He is obsessed with his own appearance and success. Whilst at the same time he enjoys inflicting pain and violence on other people. He lives out his fantasies of control, domination, and manipulation in order to satisfy his own needs.

Bateman’s complete lack of empathy and disregard for the feelings of others is a classic symptom of narcissism. He has a need to be seen as superior, even if it means sacrificing his own morality or the lives of those around him. Furthermore, he refuses to take responsibility for any of his actions, always blaming someone else when things don’t go his way. All in all, Patrick Bateman is a great example of how narcissism can lead to some truly disturbing behavior.

Professor Umbridge from the Harry Potter series is a classic example of a narcissistic character. Her need for control and her disdain for anyone who doesn’t fit her worldview make her one of the most entertaining villains in literature. She’s also incredibly annoying, with that saccharine sweet voice, tight bun, and flowery dresses. But what makes Umbridge so irritatingly narcissistic is her complete lack of empathy and self-righteousness. Whenever she’s in a position of power, she takes full advantage of it in order to satisfy her own needs and desires.

Umbridge has no qualms about cutting off freedom of speech, punishing students harshly, and making up arbitrary rules just because she can. Her actions are always motivated by a desire for control and approval, which is why she’s always trying so hard to be perfect. All in all, Professor Umbridge is a prime example of how narcissism can be incredibly detrimental – both to the people around her and to herself.

Nate Jacobs from Euphoria is a character who is highly unsympathetic to those around him. His need for control and power makes him dangerously manipulative, as he will do anything in order to get what he wants. He uses women to boost his own ego and refuses to acknowledge the pain he causes them.

Nate also loves being in the spotlight, constantly seeking out attention and admiration from those around him. He is completely self-absorbed; believing that the world revolves around him and that his needs should be put before everyone else’s. Nate’s inability to empathize with others is a classic sign of narcissism and makes him a particularly dangerous character.

Regina George from Mean Girls is arguably one of the most iconic characters when it comes to narcissism. She sees herself as the queen bee of her high school and will go to any lengths necessary in order to stay at the top. Regina’s need for control and attention makes her a truly insufferable character.

Not only is she completely self-absorbed but she also has no regard for anyone else’s feelings. She uses manipulation and intimidation to get what she wants, and never takes responsibility for her actions. Whilst Regina is arguably less dangerous than some of the other characters on this list, she is still a great example of how narcissism can lead to some really terrible behavior.

Next up, we have James Moriarty from the show Sherlock. He is an archetypal narcissist, displaying all the common traits such as grandiosity, lack of empathy, and a sense of entitlement. Moriarty’s need for power and control was so great that he would do anything to get it; lying, manipulating, and even killing in the process. He was unconcerned with the consequences his actions had on others, instead wanting to satisfy his own needs.

Moriarty’s narcissism is further highlighted by his need for admiration from those around him. He wanted to be recognized as the genius he believed himself to be. Furthermore, Moriarty’s grandiose view of himself and his achievements suggest that he was an egomaniac who held himself in high esteem.

Narcissism is the prevailing quality that defines Villanelle, the complex and enigmatic “villain” of the show Killing Eve. She has a dangerously inflated sense of self-importance, believing she deserves only the best. Villanelle thrives on praise and attention from others and loves nothing more than being admired. Whether it’s the dramatic way she murders people to the way she dresses, Villanelle is always looking for a way to stand out and be the center of attention.

Villanelle is also cunning and manipulative. She uses her charm to get what she wants, never hesitating to exploit another person if it serves her purpose. When she doesn’t get her way, she acts out and is prone to fits of rage, further displaying her inability to handle disappointment. Ultimately, it’s clear that Villanelle is a narcissistic character who will go to any lengths in order to get her way.

Chuck Bass is a narcissistic character from Gossip Girl who will do what he needs to get what he wants, no matter the cost. His entitlement and grandiose behavior are trademarks of his narcissism, but it’s his charm and good looks that make it all the more appealing. Chuck uses everyone in his path as pawns in his own games, never hesitating to manipulate and exploit those around him.

He also believes he is more important than everyone else, which is typical of narcissists. He often talks down to Dan and Jenny Humphrey because they aren’t Upper East Siders like him and his friends. While originally labeled as a villain, his character arc eventually grew more sympathetic, showing that he was not so different from those around him. Despite this development over time, it could be argued Chuck Bass will always demonstrate narcissistic qualities.

Don Draper from Mad Men is a classic example of someone who is deeply narcissistic. He is consumed by his own needs and desires, often putting himself first in any situation. Furthermore, Don has an inflated sense of self-importance which leads him to believe that he is always right and that his opinion should be taken as gospel.

Grandiose is another key symptom of narcissism, and Don certainly displays this trait. He believes himself to be superior to everyone else, never hesitating in telling people how great he is. Whilst his behavior makes him an interesting character, it also serves as an example of how unchecked narcissism can cause serious damage to those around you.

Mother Gothel from Tangled is another iconic narcissistic character. She believes she knows what’s best for Rapunzel and will go to any lengths to keep her under her control. Gothel’s need for power and domination makes her a truly terrifying villain, especially when she loses her temper. Not only does she show no empathy towards Rapunzel but she also shows a complete disregard for anyone else who might not agree with her.

Mother Gothel is completely obsessed with herself and her appearance. She has no interest in anyone else’s needs or desires and she’s always trying to manipulate things so that her plans come out unscathed. This can be incredibly dangerous, as Gothel is quite willing to use violence in pursuit of her own ends. All in all, Mother Gothel is a great example of how narcissism can lead to dangerous behavior.

The Joker from The Dark Knight is undoubtedly one of the most iconic characters when it comes to narcissism. He is obsessed with himself, believing that he is above everyone else and entitled to whatever he wants. The Joker also loves chaos; constantly pushing boundaries in order to cause destruction and disruption.

He loves nothing more than drawing attention to himself and taking control of any given situation. He has no regard for anyone else’s feelings and is completely unwilling to take responsibility for his actions. The Joker is a prime example of how narcissism can be both destructive and dangerous, making him one of the most compelling characters on this list.

Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter series is a prime example of how narcissism can lead to evil and destructive behavior. Voldemort displays grandiose behavior and a complete lack of regard for anyone other than himself. His need for power and control is unmatched, as he will do anything in order to increase his own standing. He has no regard for anyone else’s feelings, constantly using manipulation and intimidation in order to get what he wants.

Voldemort also has an inflated sense of self-importance, believing himself to be superior to everyone else. As his obsession with “purebloods” illustrates, he sees himself as the ultimate authority and will go to great lengths in order to maintain this position. On top of all this, Voldemort’s refusal to accept any form of love or vulnerability showcases his extreme narcissism.

Frank Underwood, the protagonist of House of Cards, is often seen as a narcissist. This is due to his inability to empathize with others and his preoccupation with gaining power and achieving success at any cost. His actions are often selfish and manipulative, furthering his own agenda without considering the consequences for those around him. He also displays an excessive need for admiration from those he perceives as being inferior to him, which is typical of narcissistic behavior.

Underwood’s grandiose attitude and complete lack of remorse demonstrate how unchecked narcissism can lead to dangerous behaviors. Whilst his ambition and determination may be admirable in some respects, it is clear that this character has a serious problem.

Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones is another example of a narcissist. She displays some classic narcissistic traits, such as an excessive need for admiration and approval, a sense of entitlement, and an inability to empathize with other people. Cersei is also extremely deceptive and manipulative; often using her position of power to get what she wants.

Her need for control and domination is another key indicator of her narcissism. Cersei will do whatever it takes in order to remain in power, including discarding those who disobey her or fail to meet her expectations. Her complete lack of remorse further emphasizes how narcissistic she is; as she does not care about the consequences of her actions or the feelings of those around her.

Gilderoy Lockhart from Harry Potter is an interesting addition to this list. Whilst not “evil” like many of the other characters, his narcissism is still incredibly obvious. Gilderoy is known for being an arrogant person with an inflated sense of self-importance. He has a tendency to boast about his greatness and success, often disregarding the feelings and contributions of those around him.

Gilderoy Lockhart’s willingness to take credit for other people’s achievements speaks volumes about his narcissistic tendencies. This is because narcissists are often unwilling to give others the recognition they deserve, instead taking it for themselves. His vain and superficial attitude serves as a reminder that narcissism can be incredibly damaging, even if it is not necessarily malicious.

Darth Vader rounds off this list of narcissistic characters. Despite being a Sith Lord, some might say that Vader was actually more narcissistic than evil. He had a huge sense of entitlement and self-importance, believing he deserved the power and recognition he received. Furthermore, he was unwilling to acknowledge or accept any mistakes he made – instead always looked for someone else to blame.

Darth Vader’s willingness to manipulate and deceive those around him further demonstrates his narcissistic tendencies. This is because narcissists are often unwilling to accept responsibility for their actions, instead shifting the blame onto others. His tendency to put his own desires before everything else is also indicative of his inability to empathize with others – a key sign of narcissism.

Evil Queen from Snow White is another prime example of narcissism. She is extremely vain and preoccupied with her own beauty, going so far as to have Snow White murdered in order to be the fairest of them all. Her desire to be seen as the most beautiful and powerful person is a classic sign of narcissism.

The Evil Queen is deeply selfish, never considering how her actions might affect others. She is completely unconcerned with anyone else’s well-being and she will go to any lengths necessary in order to get what she wants. Her lack of empathy makes her particularly dangerous, and she will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. The Evil Queen is a great example of how narcissism can turn people into extremely dangerous villains.

Joe Goldberg from the popular Netflix show YOU can be summed up in one word: narcissist. Joe is a textbook example of a narcissist, fixated on his own ambitions and needs regardless of the consequences for others. He is selfish and manipulative, commonly lying and manipulating situations to get what he wants.

Joe excuses his abusive and stalker tendencies, believing that his actions are justified because he is “in love” with the person he is stalking. This shows that not only does Joe have a warped sense of reality, but also displays a lack of empathy – both key signs of narcissism. When he doesn’t get his way, Joe is quick to resort to anger and aggression, further displaying his narcissistic tendencies.

Smurf, AKA Janine Cody, from Animal Kingdom is narcissistic. Her need for control over her boys is evident in the way she manipulates them, using them for her own gain and disregarding their feelings. She plays them off against each other when she believes they are trying to rise up and lead their own lives. Smurf kicked Julia out with some heroin because she felt she was holding the Baz and Pope back from fulfilling the family’s criminal potential.

Smurf’s superiority complex is also apparent in her interactions with her boys, as she always assumes she knows what’s best for them and expects them to obey without question. This is a further indication of her narcissism, as she expects total adoration and allegiance from those around her – something often seen in narcissistic characters.

Michael Scott is another character who isn’t evil but is certainly narcissistic. His inflated sense of self-importance and need for admiration are his most prominent qualities. He firmly believes he is the life and soul of any party, never hesitating to make himself the center of attention. Michael Scott loves to be the center of attention, constantly trying to prove his worth by bragging about his supposed genius ideas.

Michael manages to make everything about himself, rarely recognizing the accomplishments of others and instead trying to steal the spotlight. Though Michael has a big heart and doesn’t necessarily mean any harm, his tendency to jump in and take over conversations (usually in a highly inappropriate manner!) often leads him to unintentionally be egotistical about himself.

Joffrey Baratheon is a textbook example of a narcissist, exhibiting all the classic signs. He was cruel, arrogant, lacked empathy, and had an excessive need for praise and admiration – often lashing out when he didn’t get it. Joffrey demonstrated contempt for those around him and was never satisfied with what he had; instead constantly wanted more power and control, regardless of the cost to others. His narcissism led him to have a huge sense of entitlement, believing he could do whatever he wanted with no consequences, which ultimately led to his downfall.

Joffrey’s willingness to go to extreme lengths in order to maintain a position of power perfectly highlights the dangers of unchecked narcissism. This character serves as an excellent example of how such behavior can have disastrous consequences and should serve as a cautionary tale for anyone who may be exhibiting similar traits.

Kathryn Merteuil from Cruel Intentions is another quintessential example of a narcissistic character. Her manipulations and her selfishness are evidence enough of her narcissism. Her arrogance is another indicator of her narcissism, as she believes that she is better than everyone else. She even exclaimed, “Everybody loves me, and I intend to keep it that way.”

Her mask of charm and beauty makes her manipulations even more dangerous, as she is able to get what she wants from other people without them knowing. Kathryn also uses her sexuality to get what she wants, another common trait among narcissistic characters. It takes a special kind of evil to use the vulnerability of others to gain power, and Kathryn is certainly one such character.