In the lead-up to the Season 2 finale of Peacemaker, creator James Gunn and actor Freddie Stroma addressed ongoing discussions about the character Vigilante, also known as Adrian Chase. They revealed their decision not to officially classify the character as neurodivergent, emphasizing the complexity behind such labels. This stance highlights James Gunn Peacemaker Vigilante as a deliberate choice to avoid simplifying a nuanced portrayal.
During a conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Gunn expressed reservations about assigning a specific neurological or psychological label to Vigilante. He said,
“I know what I think of Adrian as being, but I’m not sure he’s necessarily a great person to represent that stuff.”
Freddie Stroma, who plays Vigilante, echoed this uncertainty:
“I’ve had a lot of people asking me if he’s on the spectrum, if he’s a sociopath, if he’s a psychopath… I am not qualified to make that label, that decision.”
Stroma mentioned that although the question arose frequently, he preferred to leave the character’s condition open to interpretation. In his words,
“I feel like I’m going to stay out of it and let other people decide and maybe just keep that conversation going.”
He also lightheartedly directed fans back to Gunn by adding,
“Or I’d say ask James… He’s the one who writes the character, so it’s his character.”
James Gunn Explains Why No Public Diagnosis Will Be Made
Asked about the character’s psychological state in more detail, Gunn clarified that while he has a personal understanding of Adrian’s behavior, he chooses not to make that perspective public due to the character’s violent nature. Gunn said,
“He’s lovable, we want to hug him, we want him to be our friend, but what he does in life is not great.”
He continued,
“I don’t necessarily want to give him a public diagnosis and say, ‘These people are like this,’ because… I don’t know if he is good representation, frankly.”
Since his introduction in Season 1, Vigilante has been portrayed as a detached killer whose violence is rationalized by his belief that those he targets deserve it. Fans have debated whether these traits align with neurodivergence or sociopathy, but Gunn insists the character was never intended as a representative figure for any particular group.
The Season 2 finale of Peacemaker is scheduled to air on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max, culminating ongoing storylines that continue to explore complex character dynamics without simplifying Vigilante’s identity through clinical labels.
Impact of the Decision to Avoid Labeling Vigilante
By choosing not to define Vigilante through a neurodivergent lens, James Gunn opens space for a broader dialogue about character complexity and representation in media. This approach prevents reducing violent or morally ambiguous characters to diagnostic categories that might inadvertently reinforce stereotypes. It also sparks ongoing conversations among viewers who interpret Adrian Chase’s behavior in various ways, reflecting different personal perspectives.
