It was one of the more memorable seminars I participated in, because Donald had us really thinking about our villains and who they were. Were they complex enough? Were they unusual, unpredictable, and interesting? Or were they, as he called it, a "Mwa ha ha!" villain, who was just bad for the sake of being bad with no other interesting character traits? His focus was on helping us avoid the clichés that make so often villains seem like cardboard cut-outs.
Here are many of the characteristics you'll find in villains (of the serial killer variety):
Male
White
Not too old, not too young
Terrible childhood; mommy or daddy issues
Menial job
Introvert, no friends or family
Can you think of any more clichés?
Now. Let me be clear. The above are clichés for a reason because the majority of real-life serial killers do fit these characteristics. But for the purposes of fiction, it's often more fun (and surprising) to mix things up.
For example, a villain who's likable. Maybe he has a dog he adores, or he cares for his sick sister, or he volunteers in the community. Not only do traits like this add complexity to the character, but they also make the villain that much more chilling when he's doing his evil deeds. A villain I find myself relating to in unexpected ways is a villain who scares me because I'm drawn to him.
Here are three of my favorite villains:
So, let's talk villains! Which ones "fit the mold", so to speak? Which ones break the rules?
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8 comments:
I want to read fangland. I've never heard of it but I'm always up for a good haunting.
I read a trilogy by Jonathan Maberry the first book is called Ghost Road Blues. Anyways, the way he presented the thought process of the villains, I would find myself agreeing and nodding my head.... and then be terribly shocked because I realized what I was doing! That experience was chilling.
I like to think my villain is a little more complex than just your average villain. What makes things messed up, to me, is that so many of the villains thoughts... are right. The main character agrees with many of his points on why he's doing what he is. She just doesn't agree with how he's going about it.
I need to read Fangland. Guess I'll add it to the list!
As far as villains go, I love the ones that sneak up and surprise you...just like you said, they don't fit the mold. Great post!
I loved Kevin Spacey's "John Doe" in Se7en. Sooooo creepy when he was sitting in the backseat of the car. You just KNEW he was smarter than the cops...that's what I like in a villian when they're freaking brilliant, but in a calm, detached way.
The problem with a lot of these non-traditional villains is that they also often strain credibility. I'm not saying it can't be done well, and that they're aren't real life exceptions to the stereotypes (there are plenty), but when you work really hard to put a twist on reality, reality is often what you lose.
I think this is really important. Villains need to be just as well rounded as the MC. I haven't read any of the books you mentioned, but the villains certainy seem interesting.
Great post, Jenny! I struggle with this in my own writing because I really want my villains clearcut and simple, but that doesn't play. It's boring. It's safe. Complex villains = memorable characters.
Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer!
Okay, that's not a book, but I am terrible at coming up with favorite/best/worst lists of any sort...
Nevets, you make a great point. Non-traditional villains are risky. When they work, they're fantastic, but when they don't...
Lisa, Spike counts! :)
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