Your Most Hated Tropes

[Fidel]

We’ve all encountered those tropes that make us cringe, groan, or even put a book down. Whether it’s the overused love triangle, the damsel in distress, the overpowered chosen one, or the villain’s endless monologue, some tropes feel like they’ve been done to death. They’ve been used so often they’re almost a punchline.

Which tropes get under your skin the most? No matter the genre, which ones make you lose interest in a story? Let’s hear your least favourites and why they just don’t work for you.

 

[CupofJoe]

If they are written well, I can live with just about any trope or cliché
Two I dislike for personal reasons.
Any mental or cognitive difference being seen/used as an excuse for someone being violent.
Any physical, mental or cognitive difference being seen/used as an excuse for someone being evil.
For me, these usually mean that the writer hasn't or can't be bothered to do their research and is just reaching back for a media stereotype.
To misquote one Samwise Gamgee, I have met plenty of people that have felt fair and acted foul.

 

[Gurkhal]

Two I dislike are these.

Chosen One. Its really not interesting to me that someone is selected for greatness by something else. Let the character work for that greatness.

Super Unique Individual. The person who breaks all rules, conventions and norms all the time and never get a serious backlash from it. All people are unique individuals and average people are not boring to read or write about.

 

[Gurkhal]

If they are written well, I can live with just about any trope or cliché
Two I dislike for personal reasons.
Any mental or cognitive difference being seen/used as an excuse for someone being violent.
Any physical, mental or cognitive difference being seen/used as an excuse for someone being evil.
For me, these usually mean that the writer hasn't or can't be bothered to do their research and is just reaching back for a media stereotype.
To misquote one Samwise Gamgee, I have met plenty of people that have felt fair and acted foul.

Sorry for the double post, I'm writing from my phone.

At times I feel hit by the spirit the misquote by Gamgee. I strive to get over it but progress feels slow or even at a regress.

Having written that made me feel better.

 

[Avery Moore]

Enemies to Lovers always makes me cringe.

Now, to be fair, there are two different types of Enemies to Lovers tropes that I've seen in fiction.

1. The two characters actually get along really well and have chemistry, but unfortunately, their families are at odds, or they are citizens of two different countries that are at war, or some other similar situation that prevents them from being together. The trope can actually work really well in this scenario.

2. The two love interests absolutely despise everything about each other. They have nothing in common, their personalities completely clash and they're just generally incompatible with each other in every way... But they're both attractive, so they still want to pork. And it's like... Okay, good for you... You do realise you'll still hate each other once you've finished porking, right?

 

[Orc Knight]

One of my big ones has always been Always Chaotic Evil or Always Evil Race (or species, whichever) with maybe the token (Looking at you Drizz't) that's somehow managed to turn good. Given my username, this should be about as surprising as pumpkin spice marketing in the autumn.

Also not big on love triangles. And misunderstandings that could be easily handled if the characters would just talk like adults. Goes double if they're supposed to be adults.

Though, like Joe wrote, they can still be good if written well. Sure I have plenty more bones to pick with some tropes, but it's early and I'm not awake enough yet.

 

[pmmg]

One of my big ones has always been Always Chaotic Evil or Always Evil Race (or species, whichever) with maybe the token (Looking at you Drizz't) that's somehow managed to turn good. Given my username, this should be about as surprising as pumpkin spice marketing in the autumn.

Also not big on love triangles. And misunderstandings that could be easily handled if the characters would just talk like adults. Goes double if they're supposed to be adults.

Though, like Joe wrote, they can still be good if written well. Sure I have plenty more bones to pick with some tropes, but it's early and I'm not awake enough yet.

Says a knight for a chaotic evil race…

 

[Queshire]

Says a knight for a chaotic evil race…

*cough* The implication is that he doesn't like it when Orcs are reduced to an always chaotic evil race.

 

[pmmg]

But they're both attractive, so they still want to pork. And it's like... Okay, good for you... You do realise you'll still hate each other once you've finished porking, right?

I'm okay with that.

(I like the term pork, its not one i've seen used like that before )

 

[Jackarandajam]

Trope subversion is my least favorite use of tropes.

For instance (to use low hanging fruit), in the trope knight-saves-princess-from-dragon, you have a clear hero, a clear goal, and a clear danger.
In the subversion of that trope (princess saves knight from dragon), what normally ends up happening is the knight isn't entirely helpless and the princess isn't entirely brave. The punch is pulled and everything that made the trope stick to begin with is discarded.

I love complexity and nuance, but not at the sacrifice of plot. Make the princess save the knight, sure, but don't try to sneakily present her as primarily helpless with undertones of bravery until BAM, you subvert the common trope and then pronounce smugly to your audience "you're welcome, peasants."

Make her brave. Really brave, just like the knight would have been. Any underlying reticence should be an INTERESTING SUBPLOT to spice up the ending, not the primary focus. If the knight is helpless, he should be PRIMARILY HELPLESS, with bits of courage slipped in the corners.
The uno reverse card, big twist ending "aha, gotcha! this trope is SUBVERTED," has become very, very stale.

I don't mind the idea of subverting tropes, I just think the execution usually fails, the writers relying too heavily on the fact that they subverted the trope at all and not trying hard enough to put something of interest and substance in its place.

Same with villains. It's one thing to have a classic-bad-guy-trope save a cat halfway through the story to plant a tiny seed of pathos in the minds of readers. On the other hand, in an attempt not to appear tropey, writers are having the villain do nothing but save cats for the whole story, then cobbling together some last minute excuse for them to still suffer a villainous end.

Trope subversion is watering down plot into a sort of empathetic white noise. Reality isn't even as subversive and morally ambivalent as many stories have become.

 

[A. E. Lowan]

I hate love triangles with the fury of a thousand suns. Always have, even as a tween and they start trying to impress on our fragile little minds that bullshit angst builds character. It's just always so sanctimonious. When I come for your feels, I will have them. Just not like this.

 

[Mad Swede]

I'll dare to be different and say that I don't hate any trope. What I hate is bad writing. Tropes are a way of analysing the structure, characterisation and (sometimes) themes in a story. I don't generally analyse stories in that way when I read them, I just enjoy the story, even when the story is stuffed full of every cliche and trope going. What makes the story for me is a good plot, good characterisation and good dialogue.

 

[skip.knox]

Count me in with the Mad Swede, just about word for word.

 

[Penpilot]

Count me as someone who doesn't hate tropes, just badly executed tropes.

 

[Fidel]

One of my big ones has always been Always Chaotic Evil or Always Evil Race (or species, whichever) with maybe the token (Looking at you Drizz't) that's somehow managed to turn good. Given my username, this should be about as surprising as pumpkin spice marketing in the autumn.

Also not big on love triangles. And misunderstandings that could be easily handled if the characters would just talk like adults. Goes double if they're supposed to be adults.

Though, like Joe wrote, they can still be good if written well. Sure I have plenty more bones to pick with some tropes, but it's early and I'm not awake enough yet.

Oh, I totally feel you on the "Always Chaotic Evil" trope, it’s such an overused and lazy way to handle world-building, especially when it comes to entire races or species. Like, c’mon, not *every* orc, goblin, or dark elf needs to be a villain! It’s way more interesting when stories explore nuance and show that morality isn’t black and white. And yeah, Drizzt is cool and all, but having just *one* token "good" character from an "evil" race feels like a cop-out. Let’s see more complexity, please!

As for love triangles and miscommunication tropes… ugh, I’m right there with you. Nothing makes me roll my eyes harder than characters who could solve their problems with a single honest conversation. It’s especially frustrating when they’re supposed to be adults, like, grow up and talk it out! That said, you’re absolutely right that these tropes *can* work if they’re written well, but it’s rare to see them pulled off in a satisfying way.

Also, your username checks out so hard for this take, love it! What other tropes grind your gears when you’re fully awake? I’m sure you’ve got some spicy ones.

 

[Fidel]

If they are written well, I can live with just about any trope or cliché
Two I dislike for personal reasons.
Any mental or cognitive difference being seen/used as an excuse for someone being violent.
Any physical, mental or cognitive difference being seen/used as an excuse for someone being evil.
For me, these usually mean that the writer hasn't or can't be bothered to do their research and is just reaching back for a media stereotype.
To misquote one Samwise Gamgee, I have met plenty of people that have felt fair and acted foul.

Oh, *hard agree* on this. Using mental or cognitive differences as a shorthand for violence or evil is not only lazy writing but also deeply harmful. It perpetuates stereotypes and stigmatizes people who are already marginalized. Like, come on, writers, do better. Mental health and neurodivergence are complex, and reducing them to "oh, they’re violent because they’re different" is just… ugh. It’s such a missed opportunity to explore actual depth and humanity in characters.

And your Samwise Gamgee misquote is spot on, people (and characters) are complicated! Being "fair" or "foul" isn’t about some inherent trait; it’s about choices, circumstances, and the messy reality of life. Writers who lean on these tropes are often just taking the easy way out instead of crafting meaningful, nuanced stories.

It’s refreshing to see someone call this out so clearly. Tropes like these can really ruin an otherwise good story, especially when they hit close to home. Do you have any examples of stories that handled these issues well? Or ones that completely botched it? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

 

[Fidel]

Enemies to Lovers always makes me cringe.

Now, to be fair, there are two different types of Enemies to Lovers tropes that I've seen in fiction.

1. The two characters actually get along really well and have chemistry, but unfortunately, their families are at odds, or they are citizens of two different countries that are at war, or some other similar situation that prevents them from being together. The trope can actually work really well in this scenario.

2. The two love interests absolutely despise everything about each other. They have nothing in common, their personalities completely clash and they're just generally incompatible with each other in every way... But they're both attractive, so they still want to pork. And it's like... Okay, good for you... You do realise you'll still hate each other once you've finished porking, right?

Ohhh, I *totally* get where you're coming from with this! Enemies to Lovers can be such a hit-or-miss trope, and you’ve nailed the two main flavors of it. The first type, where external forces (like war, family feuds, or societal expectations) keep them apart, can be *chef’s kiss* when done well. Think *Romeo and Juliet* but with better communication and fewer tragic endings. The tension feels earned, and you’re rooting for them to overcome the obstacles because their connection feels genuine.

But that second type? Oh boy, it’s a *mess*. When the only thing holding the relationship together is physical attraction and a vague sense of "opposites attract," it’s like… why are we even here? If they can’t stand each other’s personalities, values, or lifestyles, what’s the endgame? A lifetime of bickering and make-up sex? Hard pass. It’s especially frustrating when the story tries to sell it as "true love" when it’s clearly just lust with extra drama.

That said, I think the trope can still work in the second scenario if the characters actually grow and change over time-like, they start off hating each other but slowly learn to understand and respect one another. But if it’s just "we hate each other but we’re hot, so let’s kiss," then yeah, I’m cringing right there with you.

Do you have any examples of the first type done well? Or maybe a time when the second type made you want to throw your book/remote across the room?

 

[Fidel]

I'll dare to be different and say that I don't hate any trope. What I hate is bad writing. Tropes are a way of analysing the structure, characterisation and (sometimes) themes in a story. I don't generally analyse stories in that way when I read them, I just enjoy the story, even when the story is stuffed full of every cliche and trope going. What makes the story for me is a good plot, good characterisation and good dialogue.

Honestly, this is such a refreshing take! You’re absolutely right tropes themselves aren’t the problem; it’s all about how they’re used. A well-written story can take the most overused cliché and turn it into something fresh and compelling. It’s all in the execution: the depth of the characters, the cleverness of the plot, and the authenticity of the dialogue. If those elements are strong, even the most predictable tropes can feel satisfying.

I love that you focus on just enjoying the story rather than overanalyzing every trope. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in dissecting media (especially in fandoms), but at the end of the day, storytelling is about connection and emotion. If a story can make you laugh, cry, or stay up way too late because you *need* to know what happens next, then it’s doing its job tropes be damned.

 

[Fidel]

Count me as someone who doesn't hate tropes, just badly executed tropes.

Same here. Tropes are just tools in a writer’s toolbox, it’s all about how they’re used. A well-executed trope can feel like coming home to something familiar but still exciting, while a badly executed one can make you roll your eyes so hard you see your brain. The difference is in the creativity, character development, and emotional payoff. If a story can take a trope and make it feel fresh or meaningful, I’m all for it. But if it’s just lazy, recycled nonsense? Hard pass.

 

[Fidel]

I hate love triangles with the fury of a thousand suns. Always have, even as a tween and they start trying to impress on our fragile little minds that bullshit angst builds character. It's just always so sanctimonious. When I come for your feels, I will have them. Just not like this.

Ohhh, I feel this in my *soul*. Love triangles can be such a cheap way to create drama, and they often feel so forced. Like, why do we need two people fighting over one person when we could just have a solid, well-developed relationship (or even a polyamorous one, if we’re feeling spicy)? The angst is rarely worth it, especially when it’s clear the whole thing exists just to drag out the plot or make the protagonist seem ~desirable~.

And you’re so right when done poorly, love triangles can come off as sanctimonious or just plain exhausting. It’s like, "Wow, I’m so torn between these two incredibly attractive people who are both obsessed with me for no reason!" Give me a break. If you’re going to go for the feels, at least make it meaningful and not just a lazy way to create tension.

That said, I’ve seen a *few* love triangles that actually worked because the characters felt real and the stakes were high, but they’re definitely the exception, not the rule. Do you have any love triangles that made you particularly ragey? Or any that you thought were done well (if such a thing exists)?