Riggan Thomson (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance))

"It's important to me! Alright? Maybe not to you, or your cynical friends whose only ambition is to go viral. But to me... To me... this is - God. This is my career, this is my chance to do some work that actually means something." (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance))

Riggan Thomson, played by Michael Keaton, is the main character of Birdman. Throughout the film, Riggan is trying to organise a stage show that he believes will allow him to revitalise his career as an actor, and become relevant again. However, he is haunted by apparitions of his most famous acting role, the superhero known as Birdman.

Throughout Birdman, Riggan strives to reinstate his legitimacy as an actor. Known for his role as Birdman (an obvious homage to Keaton's stint as Batman), he seeks to reinvent himself as a performer through a new broadway show. However, as pointed out by his daughter, Riggan doesn't view this project as a genuine form of expression. It is instead a desperate attempt to remain relevant in the public eye. As much as any creators want to present themselves as truly passionate artists, Riggan is a reminder that many artists don't truly believe in their art. They present it with pride and await acclaim, but in today's age of rapid content creation and the race to stay relevant, truly sincere art is a rare commodity. Despite individuals fooling others and potentially even themselves into thinking that their art is worthy and unique, Riggan is a reminder that even the most seemingly passionate artists are subject to becoming hypnotized by the allure of attention and public opinion.