The Chosen One Trope: How It Shapes Stories, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Beyond

“I’m the Chosen One!”

At its core, the Chosen One is a character selected by fate, prophecy, or circumstance to carry out a monumental task. They are uniquely qualified—whether by skill, moral standing, or circumstance—to solve a problem that no one else can. While often associated with magic, prophecy, or sci-fi powers, the essence of the trope is universal: one extraordinary individual stands at the center of events that could determine the fate of many.

The “Chosen One” trope is one of the most enduring and captivating story elements in literature, film, and popular culture. From Frodo in The Lord of the Rings to Neo in The Matrix, the idea of a singular individual destined to change the world has fascinated audiences for centuries. In this post, we’ll explore the Chosen One across genres, from fantasy and sci-fi to historical epics, sports dramas, political thrillers, and even real-world religions, and examine why it resonates so deeply with readers and viewers.

Chosen Ones in Fantasy and Science Fiction

The trope is most visible in fantasy and sci-fi, where extraordinary abilities often emphasize the character’s importance:

• Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings) is tasked with destroying the One Ring.
• Neo (The Matrix) is prophesied to bring freedom to humans trapped in a simulated reality.
• Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars) is foretold to bring balance to the Force.

These stories make the Chosen One explicit, but the trope also thrives in subtle ways. Even without magic or prophecy, audiences connect with the power fantasy of one person shaping history.

Non-Fantasy Examples of the Chosen One

The Chosen One trope extends beyond magic and laser swords. You don’t need literal sorcery to have destiny, stakes, and tension. Here are examples from various genres:

Historical Epics

Filmmakers love to depict a single figure deciding the fate of nations:

• Braveheart
• Gladiator
• The Last Samurai

These protagonists act as if destiny chose them, whether explicitly stated or not.

War Stories and Outlaws

A lone soldier or commander can become the pivotal figure:

• Rambo
• The Lone Ranger

Even in ensemble battles, these characters carry the weight of decisive action.

Superheroes

“With great power comes great responsibility” is a motto that lends itself to the “Chosen One” dressed in spandex.

• Batman is the “chosen” champion to fight Gotham’s evil. His parents being murdered might be framed as a “wrong place at the wrong time” scenario. Ultimately, he was chosen to survive the encounter with the mugger while his parents did not.
• Superman was “chosen” to survive Krypton by his birth parents.
• Wonder Woman was “chosen” as the ambassador of Themyscira.
• Blade was “chosen” to be the Daywalker.
• Wolverine was “chosen” to become one of the X-Men.

Apocalypse and Survival Thrillers

Often, one character is immune to disease or capable of discovering a cure:

• Gerry Lane in World War Z (Brad Pitt) exemplifies the Chosen One in hazmat gear.

Mystery and Detective Fiction

Even geniuses can be Chosen Ones:

• Sherlock Holmes
• Hercule Poirot
• Matlock

These characters are singularly capable of unraveling complex mysteries.

Sports Dramas

Gifted athletes can embody mythic stakes in non-mythic settings:

• Rocky
• The Karate Kid
• Bloodsport

Their skill elevates them above their peers, making them the team or community’s one hope.

Political Thrillers

A whistleblower or idealist often stands alone against systemic corruption:

• Miss Sloane
• V for Vendetta
• Minority Report

Even without magic, the trope manifests as destiny through courage and timing.

Religious and Spiritual Contexts

In many traditions, the Chosen One is literal:

• Jesus in Christianity
• Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
• Muhammad in Islam

These stories illustrate humanity’s enduring fascination with a figure ordained to save or guide others.

Why the Chosen One Trope Works

From a psychological perspective, the Chosen One implicitly states a few key story points without needing to spell them out for the audience.

1. Built-in stakes – Failure carries immense consequences.
2. Clear purpose – Humans are drawn to stories about meaning and destiny.
3. Empathy – Most Chosen Ones start as ordinary people, allowing audiences to connect with their journey.
4. Power fantasy – Readers and viewers live vicariously through a character who can influence the world and whom they can relate to, at least initially.
5. Cultural universality – Archetypes transcend race, gender, and culture, giving global appeal.

Even if the Chosen One dies, audiences feel satisfaction if the journey fulfills the character’s role or prophecy. This is why Frodo’s journey is compelling and why Neo’s arc remains iconic.

Variations on the Chosen One

• Reluctant Hero: An ordinary person thrust into extraordinary circumstances (e.g., Ripley in Alien).
• Tragic Hero: Heroic but flawed, often undone by their flaws (e.g., Anakin Skywalker, Hamlet).

It should be noted that not all stories need a Chosen One to succeed. Ensemble stories (The Lord of the Flies, Breaking Bad) prove that complex characters and compelling writing can captivate audiences without this archetype.

Conclusion

The Chosen One trope endures because it satisfies primal storytelling instincts: hope, destiny, and the thrill of seeing one person shape the fate of many. From fantasy and sci-fi to sports, politics, and historical epics, this archetype keeps readers and viewers engaged while offering powerful emotional resonance.

So, does the presence of the “Chosen One” automatically make a story popular? No. Stories still require talent in their telling, proper grammar, compelling characters, stakes, escalating action, climax, payoff, and much more that authors think about but are typically invisible to the casual consumer’s perception.

From a psychologist’s perspective, what makes a story popular besides technical writing skill? Archetypes. That’s the subject of my next blog post. Stay tuned!