History Main / ADarkerMe

* ''Film/SpiderMan3'' had Peter Parker becoming bossy, aggressive, and cruel entitled egomaniac when being influenced by the symbiote, which amplifies his repressed frustration and anger from being a bullied nerd for so long.

* In ''ComicBook/AVoiceInTheDark'', when Zoey goes to a costume party dressed as Cleopatra she deliberately makes herself unrecognizable so she can observe the party without being recognized. She acts different as well, flirting with boys, making small-talk, and dancing. This is all in stark contrast to her normal reserved nature.
* After its second retcon, the ComicBook/{{Venom}} symbiote makes its hosts more aggressive and less inhibited, which can range from being [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown a little rough]] on crooks, to outright [[ImAHumanitarian devouring them]].
* Even ignoring ''ComicBook/{{Onslaught}}'', ComicBook/ProfessorX [[ComicBook/ThePhoenixSaga has a very]] [[ComicBook/TheXMenAndTheMicronauts bad history]] of his dark side taking on a life of its own and coming into conflict with the Franchise/XMen. And the aforementioned ''Onslaught'' was a CrisisCrossover.

* Even ignoring ''ComicBook/{{Onslaught}}'', ComicBook/ProfessorX [[http://www.uncannyxmen.net/character-related-topics/the-road-to-onslaught-the-darker-side-of-xavier has a very bad history]] of his dark side taking on a life of its own and coming into conflict with the Franchise/XMen. And the aforementioned ''Onslaught'' was a CrisisCrossover.

** His "Slim Shady" [[AlterEgoActing alter ego]], a violent sadist who frequently engages in ComedicSociopathy. On "The Real Slim Shady", he comments on this trope and describes himself/Shady as, basically, a Darker Me for his fans as a whole, the guy who says and does all the awful things that they fantasize about but are too afraid to actually do for fear of the consequences.

* ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'' has a group of players of the eponymous {{MMORPG}} that go around killing other players. What makes this a lot worse is that all of the players are [[WinToExit stuck in the game until they beat it]] or die, which would kill them in real life. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] when Kirito remarks that online players act very different from how they would in real life. [[spoiler: That said, a couple of the [=PKers=] end up becoming murderers IN real life. Turns out, they weren't just {{Internet Jerk}}s after all…]]

* A series of recurring sketches on ''Series/KeyAndPeele'' had President UsefulNotes/BarackObama, whose public image was famously mellow and intellectual, hire an AngryBlackMan named Luther to serve as his "anger translator" to convey his policies and attitudes in... much less diplomatic and more colorful language. Later sketches gave anger translators to people around Obama as well: his glamorous wife Michelle's was a SassyBlackWoman named Catendra, his geeky daughter Malia's was a BrattyTeenageDaughter who threatened to get a face tattoo, and UsefulNotes/HillaryRodhamClinton's was a SouthernBelle RichBitch named Savannah.

*** Cloud, new to a big city and shed of all his prior identity, spends the first few hours of the game acting like a rude, aloof, cooler-than-cool, violent asshole - something that's even an act ''within'' the context of his [[TheMentallyDisturbed delusions]]. Later we find out that he thinks of his real personality as weak and boring, even though what we see of it is quite friendly and sweet (if awkward and self-flagellating).

** Perdita is this to Agnes Nitt in ''Literature/{{Maskerade}}'' and later books. [[Literature/LordsAndLadies Originally]] just a silly AwesomeMcCoolname she adopted, she turns into a full-formed split personality by ''Literature/CarpeJugulum''.

* The novelty Website/{{Twitter}} account [[WebOriginal/{{Dril}} @dril]] is a parody of this. The character is (in {{Kayfabe}}) an "Internet tough guy" type who thinks he's presenting himself online as being very edgy, with occasional self-deprecating humour. Unfortunately, he reveals himself as being a depraved, idiotic nerd with no perspective on reality at all.

* The novelty Website/{{Twitter}} account @dril is a parody of this. The character is (in {{Kayfabe}}) an "Internet tough guy" type who thinks he's presenting himself online as being very edgy, with occasional self-deprecating humour. Unfortunately, he reveals himself as being a depraved, idiotic nerd with no perspective on reality at all.

* In the ''Literature/Gameknight999Series'', the main villain, Herobrine, also griefs just like the hero [=Gameknight999=] did, but on a more massive scale.

* Inverted in ''VideoGame/WeaponsShopDeOmasse'', where PirateGirl Malibu acts in person with the intimidating, butch, LargeHam personality you'd expect from a lady pirate, but her posts on the {{Website/Twitter}}-{{Expy}} [[LevelGrinding Grindcast]] are written in a ValleyGirl style and mostly about her love life.

* ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'' has a group of players of the eponymous {{MMORPG}} that go around killing other players. What makes this a lot worse is that all of the players are [[WinToExit stuck in the game until they beat it]] or die, which would kill them in real life. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] when Kirito remarks that online players act very different from how they would in real life. [[spoiler: That said, a couple of the [=PKers=] end up becoming murderers IN real life. Turns out, they weren't just {{Internet Jerk}}ss after all…]]

* ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'' has a group of players of the eponymous {{MMORPG}} that go around killing other players. What makes this a lot worse is that all of the players are [[WinToExit stuck in the game until they beat it]] or die, which would kill them in real life. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] when Kirito remarks that online players act very different from how they would in real life. [[spoiler: That said, a couple of the [=PKers=] end up becoming murderers IN real life. Turns out, they weren't just {{GIFT}}s after all…]]

You, only [[DarkerAndEdgier cooler, edgier, and often ruder]]. A Darker Me is generally the person you would be if you weren't the more cautious, inhibited and [[ThisLoserIsYou boring]] person you actually are. Most online personas include at least a little bit of A Darker Me, and some, most notably the {{Troll}}, include a lot of it. A Darker Me is like the {{GIFT}} in that it allows people to say things they would never say in real life, but is not limited to profane or offensive statements.

See also: {{GIRL}}, {{GIFT}}, BeneathTheMask, {{Troll}}, {{Griefer}}, and MeanCharacterNiceActor. Closely [[StealthPun related to]] WhatYouAreInTheDark. Compare BecameTheirOwnAntithesis and MaddenedIntoMisanthropy. Not to be confused with the [[RaceLift other kind of Darker You]]. Or the ''other'' [[EvilTwin other kind]], for that matter.

* ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'' has a group of players of the eponymous {{MMORPG}} that go around killing other players. What makes this a lot worse is that all of the players are [[WinToExit stuck in the game until they beat it]] or die, which would kill them in real life. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] when Kirito remarks that online players [[{{GIFT}} act very different]] from how they would in real life. [[spoiler: That said, a couple of the [=PKers=] end up becoming murderers IN real life. Turns out, they weren't just {{GIFT}}s after all…]]

* ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'' has a group of players of the eponymous {{MMORPG}} that go around killing other players. What makes this a lot worse is that all of the players are [[WinToExit stuck in the game until they beat it]] or die, which would kill them in real life. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] when Kirito remarks that online players [[{{GIFT}} act very different]] from how they would in real life. [[spoiler: That said, a couple of the [=PKers=] end up becoming murderers IN real life. Turns out, they weren't just {{GIFT}}s after all…]]

*** Red XIII. When we first meet him, he's being used as a research specimen by Hojo. He makes a point of acting like an impossibly old, alien being with some cool DeadpanSnarker moments - using complicated language and refusing to give his real name to the party, suggesting they call him by what Hojo designated him. Then you return to his hometown where it turns out that, despite being 48, his long-lived species means he's actually about 15 in human years. Oh, and he still lives with his beloved grandfather. After completing his quest, he drops the act and his speech patterns and attitude become a lot more childish - in the Japanese he even changes to a [[UsefulNotes/JapanesePronouns childish pronoun]].
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'': Throughout the first "arc" of the Dark Knight class quests, your teacher Fray is constantly snapping at people who [[HoldingOutForAHero come to your for help]], and urging you to leave them to deal with their own problems. Yet for some reason, people seem to react as though it were ''you'' and not Fray talking to them. Then at the end of the arc comes TheReveal: [[spoiler:Fray ''is'' you. Specifically, s/he's the part of you that is absolutely ''[[HeroicFatigue sick and tired]]'' of [[ChronicHeroSyndrome constantly being the hero]], helping people who won't help themselves and [[DudeWheresMyRespect getting nothing but a "thank you" (if even that)]] for it, while being restrained by laws and leaders. When you refuse to let that side of you take over and walk away from it all, it [[EnemyWithout manifests itself as a doppelganger]] and tries to beat you down into compliance. Once you emerge triumphant, "Fray" gives up trying to take over forcefully, but promises to take over if you ever want it to.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'': Flynn Ryder is a ChronicBackstabbingDisorder GentlemanThief who thinks of himself as a LovableRogue but really is more like a SmugSnake who [[SmallNameBigEgo is not as cool as he imagines himself to be]]. He merely adopted a Childhood Hero persona [[AdultChild (A fourth grader idea of someone cool)]] to cover for [[EmbarrassingFirstName Eugene Fritzherbert]], a guy who suffered an OrphansOrdeal and considers himself a ThisLoserIsYou protagonist who whenever is afraid, becomes Flynn Ryder to cover for his HiddenHeartOfGold. In ''WesternAnimation/TangledTheSeries'', Flynn Rider only emerges whenever Eugene feels menaced, by the VillainOfTheWeek, the Duckling goons, The Captain of the Guard but most of all, by Cassandra. It's only at the SeriesFinale Eugene Fritzherbert will BeYourself.

* In the ''Fanfic/Gameknight999Series'', Herobrine also griefs just like [=Gameknight999=] did, but on a more massive scale.

* In the ''Literature/Gameknight999Series'', Herobrine also griefs just like [=Gameknight999=] did, but on a more massive scale.

* In the ''Literature/Gameknight999Series'', Herobrine also griefs just like [=Gameknight999=] did, but on a more massive scale.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'':
** Cloud, new to a big city and shed of all his prior identity, spends the first few hours of the game acting like a rude, aloof, cooler-than-cool, violent asshole - something that's even an act ''within'' the context of his [[TheMentallyDisturbed delusions]]. Later we find out that he thinks of his real personality as weak and boring, even though what we see of it is quite friendly and sweet (if awkward and self-flagellating).
** Red XIII. When we first meet him, he's being used as a research specimen by Hojo. He makes a point of acting like an impossibly old, alien being with some cool DeadpanSnarker moments - using complicated language and refusing to give his real name to the party, suggesting they call him by what Hojo designated him. Then you return to his hometown where it turns out that, despite being 48, his long-lived species means he's actually about 15 in human years. Oh, and he still lives with his beloved grandfather. After completing his quest, he drops the act and his speech patterns and attitude become a lot more childish - in the Japanese he even changes to a [[UsefulNotes/JapanesePronouns childish pronoun]].
* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'': Throughout the first "arc" of the Dark Knight class quests, your teacher Fray is constantly snapping at people who [[HoldingOutForAHero come to your for help]], and urging you to leave them to deal with their own problems. Yet for some reason, people seem to react as though it were ''you'' and not Fray talking to them. Then at the end of the arc comes TheReveal: [[spoiler:Fray ''is'' you. Specifically, s/he's the part of you that is absolutely ''[[HeroicFatigue sick and tired]]'' of [[ChronicHeroSyndrome constantly being the hero]], helping people who won't help themselves and [[DudeWheresMyRespect getting nothing but a "thank you" (if even that)]] for it, while being restrained by laws and leaders. When you refuse to let that side of you take over and walk away from it all, it [[EnemyWithout manifests itself as a doppelganger]] and tries to beat you down into compliance. Once you emerge triumphant, "Fray" gives up trying to take over forcefully, but promises to take over if you ever want it to.]]

** Matt and Woolie invent one for [[Franchise/{{Batman}} Bruce Wayne]] of all people during their playthrough of [[VideoGame/BatmanTheTelltaleSeries Batman: The Enemy Within]], the amoral [[MoneyMauling money-themed]] SuperVillain "[[UpperclassTwit Moneybags]]". He honestly [[HeroWithAnFInGood doesn't act much different from]] [[AdaptationalJerkass their usual portrayal of Bruce]], aside from not being on the side on angels.

** "Stan" is about a LoonyFan who mistakes the Slim Shady persona for Eminem's real personality, and proceeds to [[spoiler:drive off a bridge with his pregnant girlfriend in the trunk]] in order to be more like his idol. When Eminem reads the letters Stan sent him, he is horrified. The song can be seen as a {{deconstruction}} of "Slim Shady", as Eminem's Darker Me gets taken seriously by somebody who didn't realize that [[IWasJustJoking he was just joking]].

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'': Flynn Ryder is a ChronicBackstabbingDisorder GentlemanThief who thinks of himself as a LovableRogue but really is more like a SmugSnake who [[SmallNameBigEgo is not as cool as he imagines himself to be]]. He merely adopted a Childhood Hero persona [[AdultChild (A fourth grader idea of someone cool)]] to cover for [[EmbarrassingFirstName Eugene Fritzherbert]], a guy who suffered an OrphansOrdeal and considers himself a ThisLoserIsYou protagonist who whenever is afraid, becomes Flynn Ryder to cover for his HiddenHeartOfGold.

** ''WesternAnimation/TangledTheSeries'', Flynn Ryder is a ChronicBackstabbingDisorder GentlemanThief who thinks of himself as a LovableRogue but really is more like a SmugSnake who [[SmallNameBigEgo is not as cool as he imagines himself to be]]. He merely adopted a Childhood Hero persona [[AdultChild (A fourth grader idea of someone cool)]] to cover for [[EmbarrassingFirstName Eugene Fritzherbert]], a guy who suffered an OrphansOrdeal and considers himself a ThisLoserIsYou protagonist who whenever is afraid, becomes Flynn Ryder to cover for his HiddenHeartOfGold. Flynn Rider only emerges whenever Eugene feels menaced, by the VillainOfTheWeek, the Duckling goons, The Captain of the Guard but most of all, by Cassandra. It's only at the SeriesFinale Eugene Fritzherbert will BeYourself.