Ever wondered which movie characters have your Myers-Briggs® personality type? Wonder no longer! Today we’re taking a look at iconic male characters from each of the 16 personality types (if you’d like to see the female characters, check out our post from two weeks ago!)
Here’s the Iconic Male Movie Character You’d Be, Based On Your Myers-Briggs® Personality Type
ENFP – John Keating (Dead Poets Society)
“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”
John Keating gives us a look at why ENFP teachers and professors are so crucial in today’s world. Rather than preaching about the technicalities of poetry, enforcing rules, and implementing a traditional curriculum in his classes, Keating urges his students to “seize the day” and do extraordinary, original things. Keating breathes a spark of life into the imagination and individuality of his students. His charismatic, energetic demeanor and his belief in free-thinking are qualities that nearly any ENFP will strongly identify with.
ENTP – Willy Wonka (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)
“If the good Lord had intended us to walk he wouldn’t have invented roller skates.”
Creative, clever, and driven by possibilities, Willy Wonka is the quintessential ENTP. He loves to experiment and innovate, often for the sake of it more than anything else. He knows that to stay aligned with his vision he needs to find another creative soul with integrity to run his factory; hence his idea to hide golden tickets in his chocolate bars for a few lucky children to find. He has a unique way of seeing the world and never limits his ideas or thinks anything is too “out there” to try. He comes alive when he can create something completely original, and while others may scoff at some of his creations, he has no problem with criticism. He follows his own path and has an independent spirit that nobody else can change.
“Your thoughts betray you, Father. I feel the good in you, the conflict.”
Compassionate and imaginative, Luke Skywalker gives us a glimpse of an INFP venturing from boyhood to wise maturity while undergoing intense challenges. Throughout all of his struggles, Luke maintains a sense of open-minded kindness and empathy for others. This helps him to forge peaceful relations with many cultures, such as the Ewoks of Endor. His sense of right and wrong drive him to end the Empire’s reign of terror. Even when Luke second-guesses himself and questions his own abilities, he determines to stay aligned with his moral compass. His idealistic tendencies and bright visions of a happy future for all guide him and allow him to see past the struggles of the present moment. While he has some immature, whiny moments in early life (who doesn’t?) he rises to the challenges before him and learns to trust himself, his abilities, and take bold risks to protect the civilizations he cares about.
“I just hope, that when the world comes to an end, I can breathe a sigh of relief…because there will be so much to look forward to.”
Donnie Darko is a troubled teenager plagued by visions of a large bunny rabbit with a grotesque mask that manipulates him into committing a series of crimes. This rabbit tells him when he will die and disrupts his entire experience with reality itself. Like many INTPs, Darko is a skeptic. He has an easy time pointing out what doesn’t make sense, what’s illogical, and the minute gaps in reasoning that other people fail to notice. From debunking motivational speakers to the Smurfs, Darko quickly sees inconsistencies and feels the need to verbalize them. He’s a questioner and theorist; a boy who is trying to get at the essence of something and understand what his visions mean and how he can aid the world by understanding the truth that nobody else sees.
“What you know you can’t explain, but you feel it. You’ve felt it your entire life.”
Charismatic and intuitive, Morpheus captures the insight and relentless determination of the ENFJ type. He will stop at nothing to achieve his vision; to find “the One” and set him on the path to save humanity. Even when he encounters doubters and faces challenges, Morpheus doesn’t give up hope. He’s an inspiring leader and someone who knows how to motivate people and give them the spark they need to believe in themselves. Rather than seeking glory for himself, Morpheus wants to do what’s right for the world at large. His selfless, visionary energy is one that many of the best ENFJs emulate.
“It is always the way of events in this life…no sooner have you got settled in a pleasant resting place, than a voice calls out to you to rise and move on, for the hour of repose is expired.”
Edward Rochester comes across as passionate but rational. He quickly finds immediate solutions for his problems and blurts out facts without concern for the feelings of the people around him. Like many ENTJs, he’s strategic and can easily calculate how to get what he wants; in the case of Jane Eyre, what he wants is Jane. He can easily envision how to win her heart, and even quickly piece together the kind of person she is and what will matter to her. That said, Rochester is living in something of a Te-Se loop, seeking instant gratification and sensory pleasure rather than taking time to fully dwell on his insights and live in accordance with his true values.
This typing of Edward Rochester is based on the 2011 movie and not the book.
“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.”
Atticus Finch strives to set an example for his children and community as someone who sees beyond skin color to each human’s individual worth. Finch has an insight into human nature and will stop at nothing to work towards his vision of a better world; even if he believes equality will probably never happen in his lifetime. Emotionally mature, driven INFJs will relate to his calm determination. Even when he’s ridiculed or scorned he keeps his eye on the big picture and appeals to others’ common humanity and their shared values. Finch’s drive to do what is right and treat all humans with dignity and respect is something that all INFJs should aspire to emulate.
“I will remember this,” thought Ender, “when I am defeated. To keep dignity, and give honor where it’s due, so that defeat is not disgrace. And I hope I don’t have to do it often.”
Ender is exceptionally gifted in the art of strategy, combat, and battle planning. Unlike his peers, he thinks far ahead, anticipating his enemies movements, and making long-term plans to ensure his success on the battlefield. But like most INTJs, he’s also in touch with his ethics and has a strong moral code that he strives to honor. His vision and ability to predict future dangers is unmatched, and he can easily put aside small details to keep his focus on the big picture. He has a rapid ability to understand complicated concepts that would puzzle other types. His values come from within rather than being shaped by society, and he will align himself with those values even if it comes at the expense of his status.
ESFP – Star-Lord/Peter Quill (Guardians of the Galaxy)
Photo property of Marvel Studios
“You think life takes more than it gives, but not today. Today it’s giving us something. It is giving us a chance.”
Quick-witted and opportunistic, Peter Quill knows how to take advantage of his surroundings and respond to any challenge that comes his way. Like many ESFPs, he lives for the present and knows how to make the best out of any moment; even being abducted by alien scavengers. His physicality and attunement to the sensory world give him a sense of fun and enthusiasm. Whether he’s dancing to ’70s music or picking up alien chicks, he knows how to make his life as exciting and enjoyable as possible. But he isn’t just about pleasure at any cost. He is loyal to his friends and has a clear set of principles he won’t betray; eventually risking his own life to save the galaxy.
Jim Kirk embodies the impulsive, opportunistic nature of the ESTP personality type. He lives fully in the moment and is quick to react to changes in his environment. He loves a fast-moving, daring lifestyle and loves to experience new and novel things. All his gifts and talents come to his aid during surprise attacks where quick tactical action is needed. However, like many ESTPs, Kirk can struggle to foresee the implications of many of his choices. He acts quickly, on impulse, and doesn’t normally trust his gut instincts, choosing instead to trust what’s verifiable in a concrete sense. The realm of intuition can make him uneasy, but he pulls his weight when it comes to any tactical challenge that presents itself.
“Father…you speak with absolute assurance, completely convinced that your vision is the only proper way…and, like all men who speak thus…you are mad! When we next meet, it will be as implacable enemies.”
Laid-back and friendly, Shang Chi isn’t the typical ego-driven superhero who spits out one-liners and cocky comebacks. Instead, he’s a refreshingly modest hero. He enjoys living for the moment, smiling, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life like karaoke and drinks with his best friend. Yet he’s willing to give up his momentary pleasures to do what he believes is right. Even at great risk to himself, he drops everything to rush to China to help his sister and stop his father from destroying an innocent village. He never stops following his heart and checking in with himself to make sure he’s living a life in accordance with his deeply-felt values.
Dr. King Schultz: “How do you like the bounty hunting business?” Django: “Kill white people and get paid for it? What’s not to like?”
Cool, quiet, and tactically efficient, Django Freeman doesn’t care about being well-liked as much as he cares about achieving his goal: freeing his wife Broomhilda. Like many Sensing-Perceiving personality types, Django is aware of his surroundings and attempts to stay prepared for whatever surprise event may arise. As an STP, he learns the ins and outs of weaponry and can quickly grasp how to use the tools and resources in his environment in a crisis. Because of his introverted thinking side, he’s able to analyze and troubleshoot crisis situations from many different angles and leverage points.
“Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things (Adventures)! Make you late for dinner!”
Considerate, sentimental, and practical, Bilbo Baggins is one of the best examples of a male ESFJ there is. In The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, no matter how much he may dislike a crowd of dwarves invading his home, he tries as hard as possible to remain diplomatic and hospitable. While Bilbo loves the predictability of home, he also gives us an example of how ESFJs can break out of their shells and be very ingenious and adventurous in the right circumstances. He is willing to take risks and go on an adventure to explore a new side of himself and have a story to tell someday. Frequently ESFJs experience longings for new ideas and adventures in mid-life, when their intuitive side is developing.
“Until such a time as the world ends, we will act as though it intends to spin on.”
Nick Fury knows how to get a job done as efficiently as possible and tries to keep a level head regardless of what is happening around him. He has zero patience for people who make stupid decisions, and he knows how to use his power and wit to circumvent leaders who don’t have the world’s best at heart. Fury is motivated to make the world a safer place, even if he has to do that in ways that upsets other people. He is highly pragmatic and makes decisions based on what he has learned in the past, which is typical of ESTJs.
“I made a promise, Mr. Frodo. A promise. Don’t you leave him, Samwise Gamgee. And I don’t mean to. I don’t mean to.”
Loyalty and faithfulness are hallmarks of the ISFJ personality type, and Samwise Gamgee emulates these characteristics well. While he loves the Shire and enjoys the routine he has there, he’s willing to risk it all to stand by his friend and protect him in whatever ways he can. ISFJs are firm believers in following through on what they say, and reminding people of the simple and beautiful moments that life has to offer even in the midst of hard times.
“We’ll always have Paris. We didn’t have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night.”
Rick Blaine is a man haunted by his past and by the heartbreak that robbed him of his childlike enthusiasm for life. Like many ISTJs, Blaine prefers a quiet life without a lot of disruption or unpredictability. He knows how to come up with logical solutions, make clever business decisions, and put aside his feelings so that he can make the most practical choices. Yet underneath his aloof demeanor, he feels deeply and lives according to a very personal inner code of ethics. ISTJs are often hard for outsiders to understand, and they are often seen as reserved and detached. But underneath that quiet outer personality is a warmer, more sentimental interior. This is something that Rick Blaine captures well in Casablanca.
Do you agree with these typings? Disagree? Do you have any movie characters with your personality type that you’d like to talk about with other readers? Let us know in the comments!
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Susan Storm is a certified MBTI® practitioner and Enneagram coach. She is the mom of five beautiful children and loves using her knowledge of personality type to understand them and others better!
Susan has written over 1,000 articles about typology as well as four books including: Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type, The INFJ: Understanding the Mystic, The INTJ: Understanding the Strategist, and The INFP: Understanding the Dreamer.
Alongside her writing, Susan has collaborated with Personality Hacker, Introvert, Dear, Joyce Meng, The British Association of Psychological Type, and The Association for Psychological Type International. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Sun, and Yahoo! Lifestyle.
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