Between Right & Wrong: Between Joker & Berlin

Are you familiar with the term ‘morally grey’? It describes a situation or character that is neither wholly good nor bad but exists somewhere in between. This archetype has become increasingly popular in today’s media, raising an important question: Is the wider audience becoming accustomed to it and, perhaps inadvertently, using it to justify being morally grey in situations where it shouldn’t be?

The portrayal of morality in characters has evolved significantly over time. In the early days of storytelling, narratives thrived on the dichotomy of heroes and villains, offering clear distinctions between virtue and vice. However, as human experiences grew more intricate, so did our characters. This shift reflects the reality that morality is rarely black and white. But it also prompts us to consider how such portrayals influence our perceptions and values. As we consume such media, we must ask ourselves: Are we drawn to these characters because they echo the shades of grey within ourselves, or are they subtly undermining our ability to discern right from wrong?

In today’s media-driven culture, popular media personalities, even if fictional, play an increasingly significant role in shaping young minds. Their influence often contributes to shifting moral standards, leading to concerns about a ‘moral values crisis’ or ‘declining moral values’. If our values, an entity which weaves the very fabric of humanity, become deeply corrupted, we must ask ourselves: What ripple effects will follow?

This influence is magnified by the sheer volume of media we consume. If we examine our screen time, not just for doom scrolling but for all the content we engage with, we’ll uncover one of the many factors shaping today’s moral scale, personality, opinions, and individual perspectives. Some may argue that humanity has been a mix of good and bad since time immemorial, but we must consider how variables like media consumption affect our understanding of right and wrong.

When discussing morally grey characters in popular media, we should also critically examine the justifications provided for their actions. While all characters are given some justification, are they always valid? A perfect example is Berlin from the hit Spanish Netflix series Money Heist. He is portrayed as a charismatic and “complex” character, someone who makes tough decisions, plays the “bad guy” when necessary, and focuses on the bigger picture. These traits fuel the Berlin craze. Yet, how many of us remember that Berlin raped a hostage in Season 1? This act is objectively reprehensible, but it is often overshadowed by his charm and complexity. Many fans express admiration for the character but fail to consciously distinguish between appreciating his complexity in the storyline and recognizing that he committed such an act. This blurring of lines is not just problematic—it’s dangerous. This selective memory highlights a critical issue with how audiences engage with such characters, at risk of

normalizing them, consciously or otherwise. This, in turn, highlights the burning question of this article: the ever-present and omnipresent phenomenon of morally grey characters.

Films with similar themes wield comparable influence. For instance, the recent Bollywood release Animal, featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna, has faced criticism for glorifying abuse and violence. While fans defended these elements on the grounds of entertainment value and artistic freedom, their societal impact, especially on impressionable audiences, cannot be ignored. This issue is particularly pronounced in regions like the Indian subcontinent, where cultural and societal norms intersect with media consumption. Consider, for example, a boy from a rural village. A harsh reality is that most kids in rural areas, and a significant number in urban areas, grow up with domestic violence as a staple in their lives. Whether it’s their mothers being abused by their fathers, their aunts by their uncles, or their neighbors by their husbands, the cycle persists. For such individuals, media that romanticizes abuse or statements like “a man doesn’t fully love their partner unless they slap them” can reinforce harmful patterns, perpetuating cycles of violence under the guise of love or strength.

Moving beyond cinema to novels, we see a similar trend. One particularly concerning niche is the genre of dark romance. Popularized by BookTok, this content often appears in the feeds of people who are neither aware of its existence nor inclined to engage with it. The primary target audience is young adults, especially females, and upon conversing with them, one discovers that much of this audience is consuming disturbing content masked as ‘dark romance.’ Often referred to as ‘soft porn,’ it holds the potential to reshape perceptions of relationships, abuse, and masculinity, potentially altering ideals at a formative stage.

As communication and interaction have grown over time, so too has the exchange of ideas and mutual influence. This interconnectedness is not inherently bad but is a fact we must acknowledge as we analyze the impact of morally grey characters. The portrayal of such characters is not inherently problematic; in fact, they add depth and realism to stories. However, if we are not mindful, the normalization of such portrayals can shift societal standards in subtle yet significant ways.

By remaining aware of these influences, we can enjoy complex narratives without losing sight of the values that define us. The challenge lies in appreciating the depth and nuance of morally grey characters while recognizing the potential dangers of justifying behaviors that undermine our collective moral compass.

Inaaya Haque is pursuing Psychology from Jamia Millia Islamia

Edited by- Nausheen Ali Nizami