75 Internal Conflict Examples To Add Depth To Your Film Script
Have you ever wondered what makes characters in films and novels relatable and their journeys compelling?
At the heart of every memorable story lies internal conflict, the silent battle within that drives characters toward growth and self-discovery.
As creators, our challenge is to weave these internal struggles—from moral conflicts to battles against our own fears and societal norms—into the fabric of our narratives, ensuring they resonate with authenticity and depth.
In this blog, I am sharing a list of internal conflict examples to enrich your film script, exploring how internal and external conflicts shape characters, propel character development, and mirror our real-life dilemmas.
I'll uncover the power of internal struggle in transforming simple narratives into profound stories of personal development and self-improvement.
By articulating the nuances of internal conflicts, from inner turmoil to the quest for identity and truth, your story can captivate and connect with audiences on a deeper level.
A long list of internal conflict examples
1. A young artist struggles between pursuing a stable career that doesn't inspire them or following their passion for art, which promises no security.
2. An environmental activist faces the dilemma of working for a corporation that pays well but contradicts their values on sustainability.
3. A dedicated teacher is torn between the commitment to their students in an underfunded school and a lucrative offer from a prestigious but exclusive institution.
4. A parent grapples with the decision of pushing their child towards a traditional career path for security or encouraging them to follow their dreams at the risk of instability.
5. A successful businessperson struggles with the guilt of prioritizing work over family, questioning if their professional achievements are worth the personal sacrifice.
6. A writer debates whether to publish a controversial book that could bring them fame but potentially alienate them from loved ones and society.
7. A medical professional battles with the ethical dilemma of performing a life-saving procedure that goes against their patient's cultural beliefs.
8. An athlete faces the tough decision of continuing to compete despite serious health risks or retiring early and losing their identity and livelihood.
9. A young adult is conflicted between staying in their hometown with their long-term partner or moving abroad for their dream job.
10. A scientist discovers information that could revolutionize their field and cause widespread panic, wrestling with disclosure responsibility.
11. An individual struggles with coming out to their traditional family, risking rejection, or hiding their true self to maintain peace.
12. A police officer doubts their role in the force when asked to enforce laws they morally disagree with, questioning if they can change the system from within.
13. A politician wrestles with compromising their ideals for strategic alliances that could advance their career but betray their core values.
14. A soldier questions their participation in a conflict that they start to see as unjust, torn between duty and personal ethics.
15. A religious leader doubts their faith in light of personal tragedies, struggling to lead their congregation while navigating their crisis of belief.
16. An individual faces the internal conflict of forgiving someone who deeply hurt them, knowing it might bring peace but feeling it betrays their pain.
17. A survivor of trauma battles with trusting new people, desiring connection but fearing vulnerability could lead to more pain.
18. A person diagnosed with a terminal illness struggles with choosing to fight through painful treatments or accepting their fate and focusing on quality of life.
19. An adoptee feels torn between the desire to search for their biological parents and the fear of upsetting their adoptive family.
20. A retiree faces the dilemma of feeling too young to stop working and desiring a life of leisure but fearing the loss of purpose and relevance.
21. A philanthropist grapples with the decision of where to allocate their resources, knowing they can't help every cause and worrying about the impact of their choices.
22. An individual struggles with the pressure to maintain a perfect image on social media, which conflicts with their reality and affects their mental health.
23. A professional athlete deals with the conflict of playing for a team that doesn't align with their personal or political beliefs.
24. A lawyer questions their career after consistently defending clients they believe to be guilty, feeling torn between professional duty and personal morality.
25. An individual feels caught between the cultural expectations of their heritage and the desire to embrace the lifestyle of the new country they've moved to, struggling to find a sense of belonging in either.
26. A chef passionate about animal rights debates whether to continue working in a traditional restaurant serving meat or risk everything by opening a vegan establishment.
27. An expatriate struggles to return home to be with aging parents or stay abroad, where they've built a fulfilling life.
28. A musician feels torn between creating commercial music to please a broader audience and staying true to their unique, less popular style.
29. An individual wrestles with marrying for love or the financial security and social status promised by another suitor.
30. A person debates whether to keep a life-changing secret from a friend to protect their feelings or to reveal the truth and risk the friendship.
31. A young professional faces the dilemma of pursuing further education to achieve their dream job, incurring significant debt, or settling for a less satisfying career path.
32. An environmental lawyer questions their career choice when they are required to defend a company accused of pollution, conflicting with their personal values.
33. A journalist grapples with reporting a story that could expose corruption and harm innocent lives.
34. An individual debates adopting a child, concerned whether they can offer the love and support of a biological connection.
35. A tech entrepreneur is torn between selling their startup for a life-changing amount of money or keeping control and pursuing their vision.
36. A college student must choose between a practical major with job security or following their passion in a field with uncertain prospects.
37. A person contemplates confronting a lifelong friend about toxic behavior, risking the end of the friendship, or continuing to endure the negativity for the sake of history.
38. An actor questions taking on a role that would bring them fame but goes against their ethical beliefs or challenging projects that align with their values but offer less visibility.
39. A professional facing burnout contemplates leaving a lucrative, high-status job for a simpler life despite societal and familial expectations.
40. An individual struggles with the decision to stay in a comfortable but unfulfilling relationship or to embark on the uncertainty of a single life in search of true love.
41. A parent debates whether to impose strict educational expectations on their children for future success or to allow them to follow their own interests and possibly struggle.
42. A community leader faces the internal conflict of supporting a popular but morally questionable project or opposing it to uphold their principles, risking backlash.
43. An artist contemplates using their platform to make political statements, potentially alienating fans, or keeping their views private to maintain their audience.
44. A professional athlete doubts continuing in a sport they no longer love but provides financial stability or retiring to pursue a passion with no guaranteed success.
45. A senior executive questions whether to blow the whistle on corporate misconduct, risking their career and financial security, or remaining silent for personal gain.
46. An individual faces the internal struggle of accepting their own identity in the face of societal and familial rejection.
47. A historian finds evidence that could rewrite a significant part of history, struggling with the potential consequences of publishing their findings.
48. A person feels conflicted about adopting a more sustainable lifestyle, weighing the convenience of their current habits against the guilt of environmental impact.
49. A novelist debates whether to end a series while it's still popular or to continue writing, risking a decline in quality and fan disappointment.
50. An individual contemplating a major life change grapples with the fear of regret, wondering if pursuing new experiences is worth leaving behind a comfortable life.
51. A professional contemplates taking a sabbatical to travel the world, wrestling with the fear of career stagnation versus the desire for adventure and personal growth.
52. An individual struggles with the decision to undergo a risky but potentially life-saving medical procedure, balancing the hope for more time against the fear of suffering and loss.
53. A retired athlete considers coaching but doubts their ability to inspire and lead others, torn between the passion for the sport and the fear of not living up to expectations.
54. A young adult faces the internal conflict of living up to their parents' academic achievements or pursuing a path that aligns with their creative talents.
55. An entrepreneur is torn between the security of a buyout offer and the potential to grow their business independently, risking financial instability.
56. A person debates whether to live a minimalist lifestyle, challenging their comfort and convenience, or to continue a consumerist life that clashes with their environmental values.
57. A character struggles with revealing their true supernatural abilities to a close friend, risking rejection or acceptance that could change their relationship forever.
58. An individual questions their life's purpose after achieving their career goals, facing the void of what comes next and the desire for a new meaning.
59. A community volunteer grapples with the decision to move away for a better job opportunity or stay and support the community that relies on them.
60. A guardian faces the dilemma of letting their ward make their own risky life choices for the sake of independence or intervening to protect them from potential harm.
61. A writer agonizes over including personal, potentially embarrassing details in a memoir that could bring catharsis and connect with readers or cause personal backlash.
62. An individual struggles with the choice between a traditional, secure life path and a nomadic lifestyle full of uncertainty but rich in experiences.
63. A person deliberates over taking a stand on a divisive issue within their community, risking social ostracization or fostering change.
64. An employee considers whether to expose workplace misconduct, knowing it could lead to job loss and financial hardship or improve conditions for others.
65. A character faces the internal battle of seeking revenge for a past wrong, knowing it won't change the past but might bring temporary satisfaction or further turmoil.
66. An individual weighs the decision to cut ties with a toxic family member, balancing the value of familial bonds against personal well-being.
67. A professional musician contemplates quitting a successful but artistically unfulfilling band to pursue a solo career with uncertain prospects.
68. A person debates the ethical implications of using advanced AI for personal gain, considering the broader impacts on society and the potential for misuse.
69. A character struggles with the decision to use time travel to correct a past mistake, knowing it could drastically alter their current life and relationships.
70. An individual contemplates adopting an older child, wrestling with fears about bonding and navigating the unique challenges of older child adoption.
71. A homeowner faces the dilemma of selling their ancestral home for financial relief or keeping it to preserve family history and memories.
72. A character considers betraying a friend's trust to protect them from a harmful relationship, struggling with the consequences of their actions on their friendship.
73. An individual questions whether to pursue a high-paying job that contradicts their ethical stance on environmental conservation or to remain in a lower-paying role that aligns with their values.
74. A person grapples with accepting their aging process and the changes it brings versus the desire to maintain their youth through medical interventions.
75. An individual faces the internal conflict of choosing between the safety of their comfort zone and the risk and reward of embracing significant change.
Conclusion
As storytellers, our mission is to navigate the intricate dance of character development, guiding our characters through internal struggles that mirror our own, from battles with self-doubt to confrontations with past trauma.
By infusing our scripts with internal conflicts that challenge characters' beliefs, prompt self-discovery, and ultimately lead to resolving internal conflict, we create narratives that not only entertain but also inspire and provoke thought.
These stories mirror our own thoughts and inner conflicts and encourage us to confront and overcome our fears, question societal norms, and embark on journeys of personal development and self-improvement.
Let the examples of internal conflict we've explored serve as a beacon for your creative journey, illuminating the path toward crafting stories that resonate with truth and authenticity.
Remember, it's through the struggle and overcoming of these internal battles that characters become a reflection of our own lives, offering insights and resolutions that transcend the boundaries of fiction and find a place in the hearts of your audience.
So, wield the power of internal conflict with care and creativity, for it is in the quietest moments of inner struggle and conflict that the greatest stories are born.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internal Conflicts (FAQs)
What is Internal Conflict?
Internal conflict is the psychological struggle within a character's or individual's mind. It's the clash between opposing desires, beliefs, and emotions.
Imagine the tension and turmoil of choosing between following your heart or your head, the tension between personal desires and moral obligations.
Can You Provide Internal Conflict Examples?
Certainly! Here are a few vivid examples:
A protagonist in a novel grapples with the decision to pursue a high-risk opportunity that aligns with their dreams but threatens their security and relationships.
An individual faces a moral conflict between telling a painful truth that might hurt a loved one or keeping a secret to protect them.
What's the Deal with External Conflict?
External conflict arises when a character encounters obstacles in the external world. This can be conflict with other characters, societal norms, natural disasters, or any force that opposes the character's goals.
The external push often triggers or exacerbates the internal pull, creating a compelling narrative or life dilemma.
How Do Internal and External Conflicts Interact?
The interaction between a character's internal conflict and external conflicts creates a dynamic storyline or personal journey.
External challenges can deepen a character's internal struggles by forcing them to confront their fears, desires, and contradictions.
For instance, societal pressure (external) can intensify a character's internal debate over conforming to norms versus following their unique path.
Examples of Resolving Internal Conflict?
Resolving internal conflict often involves reflection, growth, and sometimes difficult choices. Here are ways characters or individuals might achieve resolution:
A main character might reconcile their desire for independence with their need for belonging by finding a community that embraces their individuality.
An individual might overcome self-doubt by facing a fear head-on, proving they are capable of more than they believed.
What Role Does Moral Conflict Play?
Moral conflict is a powerful form of internal conflict where a character or individual wrestles with decisions involving right and wrong.
It tests values and principles, often leading to pivotal character development or self-discovery moments.
For example, a character might have to choose between lying to save a friend or telling the truth and causing harm.
How Can External Conflicts Create Internal Ones?
External conflicts can spark internal ones by challenging a character's beliefs, desires, or values. The stress and pressure of facing an external force can make a character question themselves, their choices, and their identity, leading to an enriching internal struggle.
What's a Classic Example of Internal Conflict?
A timeless example is Hamlet's dilemma in Shakespeare's play, where he agonizes over avenging his father's death.
His internal conflict between action and inaction, driven by moral questions and doubts about the truth, is a profound exploration of the human psyche.
How Do Internal Conflicts Affect Real Life?
In real life, internal conflicts shape our decisions, relationships, and paths to personal growth. They reflect our struggles with self-doubt, ethical dilemmas, and the quest for identity, pushing us toward self-improvement and a deeper understanding of who we are and what we value.
What Are Some Types of Internal Conflict?
Types of internal conflict include:
Emotional vs. Logical Decisions: Torn between feelings and rational thinking.
Desires vs. Duties: The clash between personal wants and responsibilities.
Fear vs. Ambition: The battle between staying in comfort zones and pursuing goals.
