What makes a worthy villain?

Started by DigiMark0076 pages

A mustachio that is receptive to twirling. Preferably while laughing maniacally.

That is all.

Originally posted by xmarksthespot
Who the hell is Dolores Umbridge?

Relatable villains with whom you can empathize are generally good. People who aren't at their core bad people.

Although I do enjoy a good villain with a sociopath streak. Someone remarkably intelligent. Someone ingeniously manipulative. Someone who is fully lucid to the difference between right and wrong but doesn't particularly care. Someone for whom people are not people but merely toys for amusement. Someone who would boast about eating a man's liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti. Someone like Hannibal Lecter, or Bardock.

How do these sort of villains reconcile their actions or their methods, though, if they're sane and understand the concepts of good and evil.

Originally posted by chillmeistergen
Disagree completely and utterly. To make a good villain, in my view there should be something very human at the root of them, and also a degree of charisma. Hate can come too easily, to evoke two emotions at the same time for one character, is much more of a feat and an experience for the reader.

Humanity and charisma are important, but they still are only reasons why you hate or despise someone. They still go back to the root of hatred.

Originally posted by Gideon
How do these sort of villains reconcile their actions or their methods, though, if they're sane and understand the concepts of good and evil.

For people like Joker or Hannibal Lecter they just don't bother with rationalization. They can do it, the fact that it's evil doesn't bother them. Villains like Light Yagami from Death Note simply assume that their perception of good and evil is superior. Light in particular convinces himself that everyone sees the world the way he does but that they're all too scared to admit it.

DeNiro as Max Cady in cape fear is one of the best portrayals of a villian in my opinion

Originally posted by Gideon
How do these sort of villains reconcile their actions or their methods, though, if they're sane and understand the concepts of good and evil.

Why would they need to reconcile their actions?

So it can be a happy ending, people like happy endings.

Speaking of villains, who is that in your avatar?

Originally posted by Devil King
Speaking of villains, who is that in your avatar?

if you're referring to me...which i suspect you aren't but i'll answer anyway

it's from a music video by aphex twin called "come to daddy"

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5Az_7U0-cK0

have a watch

Originally posted by jaden101
if you're referring to me...which i suspect you aren't but i'll answer anyway

it's from a music video by aphex twin called "come to daddy"

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5Az_7U0-cK0

have a watch

I already asked you that. I told you it looked like Nosfuratu eating a fraggle. Now I'm asking Robtard.

Originally posted by Devil King
I already asked you that. I told you it looked like Nosfuratu eating a fraggle. Now I'm asking Robtard.

Matt Damon.

He did a great cameo in "Euro Trip".

Originally posted by Robtard
Matt Damon.

He did a great cameo in "Euro Trip".

you know, I've been telling myself it looked like him for days. He played a fairly respectable villain in The Departed. But that clunky accent got in the way. He always sounded like he was calling for help.

Odd that, since he's from Boston I think?

I liked his villain in The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Never saw that one, I think. But I know he killed Jude Law, which I can appreciate.

If I want to gouge out his eyes and cut him up in little pieces, punch the living daylights out of him, then he's a good villain. 😄

Originally posted by Devil King
Never saw that one, I think. But I know he killed Jude Law, which I can appreciate.

Worth a watch.

Originally posted by Devil King
Nosfuratu eating a fraggle.

nice image

Originally posted by Devil King
Why would they need to reconcile their actions?

Simple: They don't. They think they're beyond silly concepts of morality and right/wrong.

Originally posted by Zeal Ex Nihilo
Simple: They don't. They think they're beyond silly concepts of morality and right/wrong.

Exactly my point.

Originally posted by chillmeistergen
You're an idiot, who obviously has no idea about any sort of complexity in literature or cinema. Stick to Batman.

I will...thank you.