First Draft: Put Audiences in Your Characters’ Shoes With These Seven Ways to Elicit Empathy in Your Screenplay

3. Being an Animal Lover or Protector of Innocence

This goes back to the dated “save the cat” mantra, but there’s undoubtedly some truth to the subtle effectiveness of a character showcasing a love for animals or one that embraces innocence. It points to a character trait that audiences appreciate—humanity. Frankenstein’s Monster showcased such a quality when he met that little girl.

Despite his simple mind not being able to express his benevolence properly, this moment showed us that Frankenstein’s Monster was not just a monster to fear. He was a human being—he had heart.

In John Wick, the titular character is not only mourning the loss of his wife, but he also showcases that love for animals. While the puppy that his wife left him after she died was more of a symbol representing his last connection to her, the fact that he displayed humane traits allowed the audience to feel instant empathy towards him—despite the fact that he was really a trained and lethal killer.

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