corruption arc
Hero becomes villain
A corruption arc is a narrative trajectory in which a character gradually turns from good to evil, or from principled to morally compromised.
The term comes from storytelling—fiction, film, video games—where audiences watch a hero's slow descent: Anakin Skywalker's corruption arc spans three films.
The arc implies a process, not a sudden fall, with identifiable stages and turning points.
Fans sometimes apply the term to real people whose values appear to have eroded over time: His corruption arc from idealist blogger to partisan hack took about five years.
- villainWicked story antagonist
- downfallSudden loss of power
- point of no returnThreshold beyond which reversal impossible
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- descentDownward slope or lineage
redemption · fallen · antihero · character study · tragic flaw · darkness · temptation · moral compromise · power · tragedy · turning · manipulation · seduction · slippery slope · moral · decay · twisted · broken
corruption arcredemption arc
Narrative journey toward atonement
redemption story · recovery arc · moral awakening · healing journey · hero's journey
corruption, arc, corrupt, corrupted, corrupting, corruptly, corruptible, incorruptible, corruptor