What makes a worthy villain?

Started by Gideon6 pages
Originally posted by Zeal Ex Nihilo
Simple: They don't. They think they're beyond silly concepts of morality and right/wrong.
Originally posted by Devil King
Exactly my point.

I mentioned such a belief numerous times, I was just curious if that was the only route that a bad guy could sleep at night.

Villains who believe wholeheartedly that they are doing the right thing are interesting to read.

Originally posted by Gideon
I mentioned such a belief numerous times, I was just curious if that was the only route that a bad guy could sleep at night.
I sleep just fine, thanks.

Originally posted by King Kandy
Villains who believe wholeheartedly that they are doing the right thing are interesting to read.

Magneto is the only one whom I can think of.

Re: What makes a worthy villain?

Someone who you walk away from the theater hating, but you can't help but admire them for some strange reason.

Personally, the most entertaining villains are those who are realistic. They need to be characters who you can truly beleive are real. My favourite is Caledon Hockley from 'Titanic'. Sure, he doesnt possess super-powers, doesnt have a lightsaber, nor does he have an amazing IQ - but none of this matters. He is the antagonist beause of his arrogant, jealous and controlling nature. These are traits that we all possess on varying levels, and because of this we an relate to the charater. It makes Hockley a very realistic character on screen; in turn making him much more interesting.

Originally posted by Gideon
Magneto is the only one whom I can think of.

Light Yagami
Ras A Gul (in the movie)
Various "evil" versions of Superman
Dexter
Vader (arguably)
Lelouche Lamperouge

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
Lelouche Lamperouge

This is the guy from that Anime, right?

Originally posted by Rampant ox
Personally, the most entertaining villains are those who are realistic. They need to be characters who you can truly beleive are real. My favourite is Caledon Hockley from 'Titanic'. Sure, he doesnt possess super-powers, doesnt have a lightsaber, nor does he have an amazing IQ - but none of this matters. He is the antagonist beause of his arrogant, jealous and controlling nature. These are traits that we all possess on varying levels, and because of this we an relate to the charater. It makes Hockley a very realistic character on screen; in turn making him much more interesting.
I found the iceberg more interesting.

Originally posted by Blax_Hydralisk
This is the guy from that Anime, right?

Code Geass.

He might be more of an anti-hero but considering that he considers everyone but his sister to be human garbage that is useful only in advancing his own goals I'd put him within the ranks of villains.

Originally posted by xmarksthespot
I found the iceberg more interesting.

Originally posted by WrathfulDwarf
I will...thank you.
Would you like to go out for some fries? Every-ones ignoring me... 😂

Anywhoo......A villain has to be shinny and stuff......

Originally posted by xmarksthespot
I found the iceberg more interesting.

It lacks an expensive tuxedo, 8 figure bank balance and hot fiance. 😬

Originally posted by Rampant ox
It lacks an expensive tuxedo, 8 figure bank balance and hot fiance. 😬

I found Hockley to be a bit of a douche. No menace or threat. The only cool thing about him was Spicer Lovejoy; Mr. Lovejoy was much more menacing, threatening, and David Warner kicks the shit out of the dude who played Hockley [his name eludes me, but I remember him as the Phantom... lol].

Originally posted by Deja~vu
Would you like to go out for some fries? Every-ones ignoring me... 😂

Anywhoo......A villain has to be shinny and stuff......

Chili fries are good.

I thought a Knight had to be shinny and tall and whatever.

Originally posted by Gideon
I found Hockley to be a bit of a douche. No menace or threat. The only cool thing about him was Spicer Lovejoy; Mr. Lovejoy was much more menacing, threatening, and David Warner kicks the shit out of the dude who played Hockley [his name eludes me, but I remember him as the Phantom... lol].

His name is Billy Zane.

A villain doesn't need to be menacing or threatening to be 'worthy'. They need to display qualities and attitudes which oppose that of the protagonist. This therefore creates the tension which drives the movie. Hockley, for example, epitomises arrogance and greed. He treats his fiance like a possession, and has no qualms when it comes to framing Jack on board a sinking ship. Jack, the 'good' guy, is the complete opposite. Humble, poor and caring; he contrasts Cal in every way. Jack would be a very boring character if there wasn't such a good villain to play off.

The fact that Cal Hockley is so realistic, and has a personality which we can all relate to on some level, makes him even more realistic. And I don't know about you, but realism to in a movie is a definite positive.

What's unrelatable about Hannibal Lecter?

How "that guy from Titanic" made it into discussion is beyond me...

Originally posted by xmarksthespot
What's unrelatable about Hannibal Lecter?

How "that guy from Titanic" made it into discussion is beyond me...

Agreed.
Do we have any Buffy fans in the house? Angelus is one of the greatest villains in my opinion.

Originally posted by xmarksthespot
How "that guy from Titanic" made it into discussion is beyond me...

A profound misunderstanding of the thread's topic coupled with what seems like an age related inability to comprehend words like "worthy" and "epitomy".

Or maybe the kid just has a hard-on for the guy.

He played an arrogrant and cowardly jerk, which is a common theme for an antagonist in love stories.