TL;DR: Kids are moving away from "perfect" heroes like Superman and gravitating toward antiheroes—characters like Shadow the Hedgehog, Deadpool, and Venom who are grumpy, morally messy, and often "edgy." This isn't necessarily a sign that your kid is becoming a villain; it’s usually about relatability, autonomy, and the fact that perfection is, frankly, boring. Use these characters to talk about redemption, the consequences of bad choices, and why "cool" doesn't always mean "right."
Quick Links for the "Edgy" Fan:
- Shadow the Hedgehog (The "Ultimate Lifeform" your Sonic fan is obsessed with)
- Loki (The god of mischief turned complicated hero)
- Despicable Me (The gateway antihero for the younger set)
- The Last of Us (For the older teens grappling with survival ethics)
In the old days, the good guy wore a white hat and never told a lie. Today, the most popular characters in the world are antiheroes. An antihero is a protagonist who lacks traditional heroic qualities—like idealism, courage, or morality. They might be motivated by revenge, they might be incredibly selfish, or they might just be a "bad guy" who happens to be doing the right thing for the wrong reasons.
Think of Shrek. He’s a literal monster who just wants people to leave his swamp. He’s not out to save the princess because it’s the right thing to do; he’s doing it to get his land back. That’s the "Antihero 101" starter pack.
As kids get older, the antiheroes get darker. We move from Megamind to Shadow the Hedgehog, and eventually to R-rated territory like Deadpool.
If your kid has suddenly traded their bright red Mario hat for a black-and-red Shadow hoodie, don't panic. There are a few very human reasons why kids (and let’s be honest, adults) find these characters magnetic:
- Relatability through Imperfection: Kids are constantly told to be perfect—sit still, get the A, share your toys. Antiheroes are the ultimate "I don't care" fantasy. They represent the messy, frustrated parts of being human that kids feel but aren't always allowed to express.
- The "Underdog" Vibe: Often, antiheroes are outcasts. For a middle schooler who feels like they don't fit in, a character like Maleficent or Venom feels like a kindred spirit.
- Aesthetic "Edginess": Sometimes it’s just not that deep. Black leather, glowing eyes, and a "don't mess with me" attitude look cool. In the world of Roblox and Fortnite, the "edgy" skins are status symbols. It’s the digital equivalent of wearing a leather jacket in 1985.
- Complex Storylines: Traditional heroes are predictable. Antiheroes keep you guessing. Will they save the city or let it burn? That tension makes for better storytelling.
Learn more about why kids gravitate toward dark aesthetics in gaming
At this age, the "bad guys" are usually misunderstood or just grumpy. These are great entry points for talking about how people can change.
Gru is the gold standard. He starts as a supervillain trying to steal the moon, but his heart melts because of three orphans. It’s a classic redemption arc that even a kindergartener can understand.
This movie (and the The Bad Guys book series) explicitly tackles the idea of "doing good to feel good." It’s a perfect bridge for kids to see that being a "villain" is often just a label that people can outgrow.
"I'm bad, and that's good. I will never be good, and that's not bad." This movie is a masterclass in identity. Ralph is a "bad guy" in his game, but he’s a hero in his soul. It’s a great way to talk about how your job or your reputation doesn't define who you are.
This is where the "Ohio" and "Skibidi" energy meets actual character development. Tweens love characters who have a chip on their shoulder.
With the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Shadow is everywhere. He’s the "anti-Sonic"—he’s brooding, he has a tragic backstory, and he’s willing to use "chaos control" to get what he wants. He’s the ultimate tween icon because he embodies that "leave me alone" energy they’re starting to feel.
Loki is the trickster god who has betrayed everyone at least twice. But in his standalone Disney+ show, he has to face his own narcissism. It’s a surprisingly deep look at whether a "villain" can actually choose to be better.
These are clones who went rogue. They aren't the shiny, perfect Jedi; they are gritty soldiers-for-hire trying to find a moral compass in a galaxy that has gone dark.
Check out our guide on navigating PG-13 content for tweens
For older teens, the antihero becomes a vehicle for exploring truly difficult questions about survival, trauma, and justice.
Joel is a fan favorite, but he is not a "good guy" in the traditional sense. He does horrific things to survive and to protect the people he loves. This is a great game/show for older teens to discuss "the ends justify the means" and whether love can make you a villain.
Let’s be real: your teen has probably seen Deadpool or at least the clips on TikTok. He’s violent, foul-mouthed, and breaks the fourth wall. While the humor is the draw, the character is fundamentally about a guy who thinks he’s too broken to be a hero, so he doesn't even try—until he has to.
Venom is a literal monster living inside a guy. It’s a messy, co-dependent relationship that serves as a wild metaphor for impulse control and the "inner demon" everyone feels during puberty.
The risk with antiheroes isn't that your kid will start a life of crime. The risk is cynicism. If every "hero" your child consumes is a snarky, self-interested jerk who only does the right thing when forced, they might start to believe that genuine altruism doesn't exist.
Watch out for:
- The "Literally Me" Phenomenon: On social media, there’s a trend where young men identify with toxic antiheroes like those in Fight Club or Joker. If your teen is unironically calling these characters "role models," it’s time for a chat.
- Violence as a First Resort: Antiheroes often solve problems with a gun or a punch first and a conversation never.
- Gender Tropes: Many popular antiheroes are the "strong, silent, tortured man." It’s worth pointing out that emotions aren't a weakness, even if Shadow the Hedgehog thinks they are.
Ask our chatbot how to handle your teen's obsession with "sigma" culture
Don't lecture. Instead, get curious. Next time they are playing Hades or watching Harley Quinn, try these:
- "What makes them a hero to you?" (Is it their power? Their attitude? Their backstory?)
- "Do you think they made the right choice there?" (Especially when the character does something "edgy" but questionable.)
- "Why do you think they act so grumpy?" (This opens the door to talking about trauma and defense mechanisms without it being "therapy talk.")
- "If you were in their shoes, would you have done that?"
Read our guide on how to talk to kids about violence in media
Antiheroes are a mirror. They reflect the complexities of the real world where things aren't always black and white. If your kid is obsessed with Shadow the Hedgehog, they aren't "going dark"—they’re likely just enjoying a character who feels as complicated as they do.
Enjoy the "edgy" phase. It’s a lot more interesting than the "perfect hero" phase, and it offers a much better curriculum for teaching your kids how to navigate a world that is full of grey areas.
- Watch together: Pick a "gateway" antihero movie like Megamind or Cruella for family movie night.
- Check the Wise Scores: Before letting your tween dive into Deadpool or Venom, check the Screenwise media pages to see if the "edge" is appropriate for their maturity level.
- Balance the diet: If they’re deep in a "dark" phase, introduce some "competence porn" or sincere heroes like Ted Lasso (for older teens) or Bluey (because everyone needs Bluey) to remind them that being "good" can be cool, too.
Check out our full list of recommended antihero media for all ages