revenge arc
Grudge-driven plot
A revenge arc is a narrative trajectory in which a character, wronged or harmed, dedicates themselves to retribution against those responsible.
Common in fiction—films, novels, video games—the term has spread to describe real-life comebacks: After getting fired, she started her revenge arc and launched a competing company.
The arc implies transformation, often from victim to formidable avenger, with the satisfaction of eventual payback.
- vendettaProlonged retaliatory conflict
- blood feudInherited cycle of retribution
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- settling scoresAvenging past grievances
nemesis · sworn enemy · grudge · betrayal · villain · redemption · downfall · justice · scheming · bitter · reckoning · wrath · antagonist · backstory · dark past · trauma · obsession · plotting
- character arcshero's journey, fall from grace, character growth, self-discovery, epiphany
- story arcsplot, climax, resolution, rising action, falling action
- plotplot, storyline, subplot, climax, narrative
- plot elementsplot, protagonist, antagonist, main plot, subplot
revenge, arc, revenges, revenged, revenging, revengeful, revenger, avenge, avenger