Do I need to show the hero's backstory?

#screenwriting #filmmaking #writing #screenplay

Not necessarily. The hero's journey / monomyth and storytelling is about going forward, in general.

You will show states of imperfection in the Ordinary World and State, but you don't need to show their origin.

For example, In The Heat of the Night (1967), we don't see Virgil's backstory - it is only referenced most indirectly through his passing through town to visit his mother.

This is answered in more detail within the 2000+ stage Hero's Journey/Transformation/New World, which you can purchase from http://www.clickok.co.uk/index4.html