Reevaluating Sociopathic Characters in Pop Culture Amid Empathy Gap

In her article for CNN’s opinion section, Sara Stewart argues that it may be time to reevaluate our fascination with sociopathic characters in popular culture due to a growing empathy gap in society. While antiheroes such as Tony Soprano and Walter White have been beloved by fans, Stewart suggests that this trend is starting to feel stale and highlights recent portrayals of sociopathy through more nuanced lenses, like the Netflix series “Ripley” featuring Andrew Scott’s rendition of Tom Ripley. Unlike traditional depictions of charismatic villains, Scott’s performance as a murderous grifter showcases his character’s utter lack of charm and highlights the messy aftermath of violence that is often overlooked in popular culture. Stewart also points to author Patric Gagne’s memoir “Sociopath” as a refreshing departure from stereotypical depictions, highlighting how Hollywood has mischaracterized sociopathic individuals by conflating them with malignant narcissists and overly-simplifying the complexity of these personalities. By embracing more diverse portrayals like those in “Ripley” and Gagne’s memoir, Stewart argues that we can better understand the real complexities associated with sociopathy. Additionally, Stewart suggests a character from Alex Garland’s film “Civil War,” played by Jesse Plemons, as an example of a recent chilling depiction due to its grounding in reality and reflection on current jingoistic hatred. As society grapples with the notion that empathy is either strength or weakness, Stewart suggests rethinking easy stereotypes about sociopathy will be beneficial for better understanding these individuals.