Every story has a hero, and consequently, every story has a villain as well. Antagonists are often the catalyst for the conflict of a film, making them essential and central characters in any movie. Despite their importance, antagonists are too often left underdeveloped and fall flat on screen because of their lack of depth.
A villain must be created to be a person, not just an object to push the plot along. Ideally, antagonists should have a unique and complex personality, realistic motivations, a sympathetic backstory, and relationships and responsibilities outside their villainy. A look into a character’s past, a view of their family, or simply a peek into who they are as a person can greatly distinguish a villain as well-formed. Filmmakers can easily fall into the trap of leaving their antagonists with simple personalities—or worse, making them evil just to be evil. Too often, motivators for cruel acts performed are explained away as simply a desire for power, wealth, or greatness. While these could be part of the reason for corruption, they are one-dimensional when used as the only cause for the immorality.
Villains should be given nearly as much time and cultivation as the heroes of the story, as it is important to know as an audience who viewers are cheering for and against. An example of a personal, well-developed antagonist is Jack Torrance from The Shining. Jack starts as a husband and a father who simply wants to solve his writer’s block. Because we see Jack’s family, job, and personality before he falls to insanity, he becomes a sympathetic character—a terrifying one, but one that viewers can believe.
When the time is taken to design a villain with depth, a movie increases in quality and interest. The cast of characters can be beloved and the plot can be intricate and engaging, but without a strong and charismatic antagonist, the film feels shallow. A lack of a proper villain leaves the viewers without someone to fear and root against. Thanos’ character in Avengers: Infinity War is powerful and highly motivated, creating an imposing threat against the group of protagonists in the movie. Thanos was such an effective opponent, that he initially defeats the heroes and prevails, creating the need for a rematch in Avengers: Endgame and leading to serious loss. His character reveals how a compelling villain can raise the film’s stakes, emotions, and investment.
Some villains can even grow to be liked—or even loved—by audiences when they’re given enough attention as characters. Despite the moral grayness of their personalities, many antagonists have stolen the spotlight of the movies they’ve starred in. A few illustrations of this phenomenon are Loki (Avengers), Gollum (The Lord of the Rings), and Kylo Ren (Star Wars: The Force Awakens). While a few of these characters experienced growth, they were intriguing and arguably likable before they received redemption. Loki stands out as a prime case of this incident, as viewers of the Thor movies grew to cherish the Asgardian prince. He became so beloved by fans, that he grew to have a larger and larger role, became less a villain and more an anti-hero, and eventually ended up receiving his TV show exploring his character and growth.
Overall, plenty of examples of villains are developed well, and how they add to their respective films’ quality, depth, and intrigue. It’s necessary to prioritize this so that a movie has the stakes and emotions to construct a successful film. Villains should not be characters thrown away or treated as insignificant, because often, they serve as the basis or conflict of a story.
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