Character Want vs Need: The Heart Of a Great Plot

There's more to character development than simply giving your protagonist a goal. A great character is one who thinks they know what they want, but discovers something deeper, something they truly need.

This tension between want and need is where storytelling thrives. It’s where arcs are forged, truths are uncovered, and the human condition is explored.

Character Want vs Need

At its core, a character want is external. It’s the thing the character believes will make their life better: money, revenge, love, success, freedom, you name it. It’s usually quite materialistic, carefree or full of certitudes and it's also what drives them forward in the plot. 

But a character need is internal. It’s the missing piece of their emotional puzzle, the thing they must realize, change, or accept in order to grow.

Take, for example, The Lion King. Simba wants to run away from his past and live a carefree life. But what he needs is to accept responsibility and return to his pride. His arc only becomes satisfying when he makes this emotional journey.

Why It's Important in Storytelling

The conflict between want and need is not just a useful character tool, it’s a storytelling engine. It creates tension between what the character is chasing and what the story is actually about. This inner conflict mirrors our own human experience, giving the audience something to connect to beyond the plot mechanics.

Without this tension, a story can feel hollow or predictable. Characters might get what they want, but it won’t feel earned. Conversely, if a character ends up getting what they need (especially in a surprising way) the result is a richer, more emotionally satisfying narrative.

Want vs Need in a Character’s Arc

A character arc is the transformational journey your character undergoes throughout the story. The “want” often drives the external plot: the decisions your character makes, the conflicts they encounter, the stakes they face. The “need” drives the internal arc: how they must grow or change to achieve true resolution.

Typically, the character starts the story unaware of their need. Their want clouds their judgment and distorts their perception of themselves and the world. Only through failure, loss, or insight can they confront their internal need and transform.

In Inside Out, Joy wants Riley to always be happy. But she needs to understand that sadness is just as important. That realization changes everything.

The Lie vs The Truth

The struggle between want and need is often framed as the lie the character believes versus the truth they must learn.

• The Lie: A false belief about the world or themselves. It’s often rooted in fear, trauma, or ego.
• The Truth: The lesson they must embrace in order to grow, heal, or succeed.

This lie/truth dynamic is at the heart of the character’s journey. The lie fuels their want; the truth reveals their need. In a flat arc, the protagonist already knows the Truth but that doesn't prevent them from changing.

In Frozen, Elsa believes the lie that her powers are dangerous and must be hidden (want: isolation). The truth she learns is that love, not fear, will give her control (need: connection and self-acceptance).

Questions to Find Your Character’s Want vs Need

Uncovering your character's want and need can be tricky, but asking the right questions can lead to powerful insights. Let’s break it down:

What is their goal at the beginning?

This helps define their want. What does your character think they need? What are they pursuing?

Example: A detective wants to catch a killer to prove she’s good at her job.

What is their goal after the inciting incident?

This often clarifies or complicates the want. The inciting incident shakes up the character’s world and redefines their immediate goals.

Example: After a personal betrayal, the detective now wants to solve the case alone, believing she can’t trust anyone.

What is wrong about how they see the world?

This reveals the lie. How does your character misinterpret the nature of people, relationships, or power?

Example: The detective believes the world is every person for themselves, that vulnerability equals weakness.

What is wrong about how they see themselves?

This touches on the character’s internal need. What insecurity, guilt, or false self-image are they holding onto?

Example: She secretly believes she’s not good enough, she needs external success to validate her worth.

What stands in the way?

Both internal and external obstacles matter. Consider what blocks your character from getting what they want, and from realizing what they need.

Example: The killer stays a step ahead (external), while the detective’s pride prevents her from asking for help (internal).

What could help them?

This is where allies, mentors, or emotional breakthroughs come in. What or who might push the character toward the truth?

Example: A trusted partner challenges her worldview, offering the support she didn’t know she needed.

Should Your Character Get What They Want?

This is the heart of your story’s resolution... and it depends on the kind of story you’re telling.

• Tragedy: The character never realizes what they need, or they get what they want but at a great cost. (Macbeth, Requiem for a Dream)
• Drama/Coming-of-Age: The character lets go of their want to embrace their need. (Lady Bird, Good Will Hunting)
• Adventure/Comedy: The character might get what they want, but only after fulfilling their need. (Moana, The Incredibles)

What matters most is emotional payoff. If a character achieves their want without any growth, it can feel flat. But if they achieve or sacrifice their want because they’ve changed, your story becomes deeply resonant.