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I don’t think the author is the relevant person here. The filmmakers are, and they pretty clearly chose to make Durden a charismatic figure and Jack an awkward

I don’t think the author is the relevant person here. The filmmakers are, and they pretty clearly chose to make Durden a charismatic figure and Jack an awkward one. And of course they would - it makes for a better story and overall film. Beyond that, I think most films/shows are functionally the same. No one wants to watch an ugly, uncharismatic actor just…fail. That doesn’t make for a good story. It seems pretty obvious to me that the vast majority shows are produced based on the quality of the story, not on instilling ethical values. Otherwise why would something like Dexter even exist?

PaulDavisThe1st 3y ago
Durden is, according the author at least, an imaginary character. In his mind at least that overrides the "charisma" level. So make of that what you will. People preferences for story telling is partly why the really good story tellers are so reverred: they make us comfortable, engaged even, in stories in which our natural inclinations would lead us towards different outcomes. We don't like watching ugly, uncharismatic actors fail, but the good stories keep us engaged when the pretty, charismatic actors get their just rewards for bad behavior. I have no idea why anyone would think that Dexter is not a tale about moral values, and the "right ones" too ...