The line that, once crossed, destroys any last remaining sense of hope. It could be for a cause, a person, a situation, or simple survival. A character has given up on it, and there is no going back. It can lead soldiers to despair -- or even suicide. It can turn an Ideal Hero into an Anti-Hero or an outright villain, or even, in some cases, vice versa. It is a vital element of Tragedy. May be preceded with a Hope Spot, just to really twist the knife. And a Downer Ending might follow in really dark stories. Compare Hope Is Scary. Contrast Heroic Spirit. Examples of Despair Event Horizon include: