savior figure
Chosen one trope
A savior figure is someone perceived as a rescuer or deliverer—a person who will solve problems others cannot.
The term carries religious overtones from Christ as savior, but applies broadly to anyone cast in that redemptive role: a political candidate promising transformation, a new CEO expected to rescue a failing company, a protagonist in fiction.
The community saw him as a savior figure who would restore their fortunes.
Often used skeptically to suggest the expectation is naive or the person's abilities exaggerated.
- BodhisattvaEnlightened being aiding others
- protagonistStory's central figure
- SupermanMetropolis's flying defender
- white knightBenevolent takeover bidder
- protectorOne who safeguards others
Malala Yousafzai · guardian angel · tragic hero · light · hope · last hope · Vishnu · Aslan · Messiah · Amaterasu · Quetzalcoatl · Christ · Joan of Arc · Prometheus · Harriet Tubman · redemption · deliverer · forgiveness
- ancient religionsGreek religion, Zoroastrianism, paganism, mystery cults, Norse paganism
savior figurevillain
Wicked story antagonist
antagonist · destroyer · tyrant · oppressor · nemesis
savior figuredestroyer
One that ruins completely
ruiner · annihilator · catastrophe · plague · scourge
savior figureAntichrist
Prophesied opponent of Christ
Satan · Lucifer · demon · dark lord · fallen angel