The truly passive protagonist is a regrettably common mistake. A story cannot be told about a protagonist who doesn't want anything, who cannot make decisions, whose actions effect no change at any level.
— Robert Mckee, Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting
"We solved the case... You came barefoot into my office and woke up my child with a list of suspects that Horan wasn't even on! You got your ass kicked on the boat and almost got shot in the face. That's what you did."
— Inspector Monroe, Confess, Fletch
He no more knows his destiny than a tea leaf knows the history of the East India Company.
— The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, introducing Arthur Dent
"I still think it's amusing that the heroes of the game had absolutely nothing to do with the plot at all and are in a constant state of confusion, at this point."
— The Dark Id playing Resident Evil 0
"What has Bond done this movie, really? Get captured on purpose and then just ride that train all the way through, right? I mean, other than the opening scene or two, this movie has reduced James Bond to a decent prisoner of war."
"He's just a dope who does nothing but agree with the last thing he heard and everyone around him seems to realize it, you can tell from the way characters give him mission briefings. Every single time they make some token instructing noises, give him a little encouraging smack on the bum, then close the door in his face and go back to the TV. Ajay's story eventually leads to his parent's dark secret that explains why the villain has an interest in him. But since Ajay reacts to the revelation like a St. Bernard being told he can't have another biscuit, my first thought was 'Any chance we could play as your parents instead? They sound more interesting than you.'"
Grif: It just keeps happening! I get a few moments' rest, and then we go on another thing. And another thing. It never ends!
Huggins: And how does that make you feel?
Grif: Like a pinball! Trapped in a — a never-ending cycle of shenanigans and adventures. It's like... It's like my hell.
Huggins: And how does that make you feel?
Grif: Like a pinball! Trapped in a — a never-ending cycle of shenanigans and adventures. It's like... It's like my hell.
— Red vs. Blue, "Walk and Talk"
"And now [...] how little Thumbelina figures in her own story. I think this is why Hans Christian Andersen doesn't translate to film very well: he doesn't tend to write very active protagonists. Whether it's Thumbelina or The Ugly Duckling or The Steadfast Tin Soldier, his characters spend the story having things happen to them rather than making anything happen. It doesn't make for an interesting central character, and Thumbelina's constant whining over her predicament only makes things worse."
— Christi Esterle of Musical Hell's review of Thumbelina (1994)
Spirit of Battles with Kenpachi: The reason you haven't been able to beat your Inner Hollow, the reason you haven't been able to beat your opponents without his help, it's because... you're reactive.
Ichigo: What are you talking about? I'm not reactive. Have you seen the stuff I've done? I'm proactive as fuck!
Spirit of Battles with Kenpachi: Your family was in danger, so you turned to Rukia. Rukia was taken, so you trained with Kisuke. Byakuya beats you, you turn to Yoruichi. Your Inner Hollow began to take over, you come to the V-Club. What happens when the fight comes along where nobody's there to save you, or throw a three day training arc on the table? The point is, the difference between someone who can draw strength from inside themselves, and someone who needs to be protected, comes down to instinct.
Ichigo: [thinking] Instinct... Up until now I've just let things happen. I've been unprepared. [out loud] I get it. If I had just jumped in headfirst all those times, fully prepared, I wouldn't need your help.
Ichigo: What are you talking about? I'm not reactive. Have you seen the stuff I've done? I'm proactive as fuck!
Spirit of Battles with Kenpachi: Your family was in danger, so you turned to Rukia. Rukia was taken, so you trained with Kisuke. Byakuya beats you, you turn to Yoruichi. Your Inner Hollow began to take over, you come to the V-Club. What happens when the fight comes along where nobody's there to save you, or throw a three day training arc on the table? The point is, the difference between someone who can draw strength from inside themselves, and someone who needs to be protected, comes down to instinct.
Ichigo: [thinking] Instinct... Up until now I've just let things happen. I've been unprepared. [out loud] I get it. If I had just jumped in headfirst all those times, fully prepared, I wouldn't need your help.
— Bleach (S) Abridged, Ep. 20 - "300 Episodes Too Early"
"The world of Idiocracy happens at Joe. He is at no point an active participant within it. He is given no reason to care, and neither are we. He begins and ends the film having made zero meaningful change to the world he was thrust into. This is not only hopeless, it's shallow."
