The Grand Theft Auto series was both innovative and controversial for many reasons, and Grand Theft Auto 5 is no exception. It continued the series tradition of combining violence, depraved characters, and open-world gameplay to create an experience that would surely provoke some controversy. One thing detractors of the Grand Theft Auto series have complained about since the games first became popular is how unethical, even evil, the protagonists tend to be. Claude was a ruthless mobster, Tommy was a convicted murderer, and Michael and Franklin are no saints. However, arguably none of them compare to the depravity of Trevor Philips.
As the second main protagonist in Grand Theft Auto 5 to be introduced, but the last to become permanently playable, Trevor is both infamous and adored for his ridiculously psychopathic demeanor - even by Grand Theft Auto standards. He personifies the chaotic side of what Grand Theft Auto has to offer, in addition to showing that all the series’ protagonists are deeply disturbed. Despite having allegedly no redeeming qualities, the game does occasionally humanize Trevor to show he has a good side, albeit in a radically different way from traditional definitions of “good.”
Trevor Philips and the Humanization of Horrible People
Grand Theft Auto, like many pieces of media starring antiheroes or villainous protagonists, has a long history of making players connect to reprehensible characters. Many are not just amoral, nor do they only have flaws portrayed in a nuanced way. If one of them were to exist in real life, they would be terrifying people, but one easy way to make a horrible person in fiction likable is to make them entertaining. Some methods include making them traditionally “cool,” like an action movie protagonist, or by making them outrageous enough to be funny.
Trevor is by far the most outlandish character in GTA 5. His foulmouthed tirades and violent tendencies are extreme even for a series known because of its graphic content. This is exemplified by his post-prologue introduction, where he is seen aggressively stomping on a Grand Theft Auto 4 character’s head while repeatedly shouting obscenities. The scene is dark, but humorous at the same time. It makes Trevor’s demeanor more palatable to players.
Despite taking part in horrible things such as the game’s infamous torture sequence, Trevor manages to display some genuinely positive traits that are neither shoehorned nor are they twisting what would otherwise be flaws to make him likable. The guy has a genuine sense of loyalty, and despite being willing to go to great lengths to get what he wants if his target is someone he dislikes, he will do his best to make sure his friends and allies are fine.
Trevor’s loyalty is the reason why he and Michael are at each other’s throats for a good portion of the game. To Trevor, Michael faking his death, changing his last name, and moving to Los Santos with the intention of retiring from crime - without notifying him - is a deep act of betrayal. The player is unlikely to relate to the exact circumstances behind Trevor’s feelings, but the general idea of being hurt by a friend vanishing from someone's life while living out their dreams is something many could empathize with.
Trevor's Backstory Helps Sell GTA 5's Portrayal
An easy way to make people sympathize for a character is by using pathos to reveal their origins. Grand Theft Auto 5 does not use any sappy storytelling techniques, but Trevor predictably has a horrible past. He suffers from cultural identity issues after being raised in multiple jurisdictions across the Canadian/American border. As a result, he is forcefully patriotic about America, but his Canadian heritage makes him insecure to the point where light mocking or implications that he has an accent are enough to send him on a rampage. In a twisted way, this cultural alienation contributes to his sense of loyalty. He is desperate to prove that he is a proud American, which strengthens his loyalty to the country and the fellow Americans he is close to.
Additionally, both of Trevor’s parents were abusive, contributing to his violent temper. Despite this, Trevor is amicable when it comes to kids, only saving his explosive tendencies for adults - especially the ones who wrong him. He is benevolent toward Michael’s kids, Tracey and Jimmy, and is especially protective of the former. It is implied, if not outright stated, that he views Tracey and Jimmy as his surrogate niece and nephew. This shows that even with his bizarre views on relationships, he still has the same basic desire of wanting to be loved that all people share.
Trevor is most certainly not a "hero" deep down; he is depraved and fully embraces that lifestyle. That does not mean he is without any redeeming traits. Trevor’s intense loyalty to who and what he cares for drives his few genuinely heroic traits. It allows him to overcome numerous personal issues and, for once, act as "regular" as possible. Ass in his stance on issues like misogyny and the game shows a character who can still be pleasant despite being someone any sane person would typically run away from.
Grand Theft Auto 5 is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.