Writing a compelling villain involves creating a character that challenges the hero while also being complex. A great villain doesn’t just exist to be evil; they have motivations, depth, and often a worldview that could be understood or even empathised with.
1. Create Clear Motive
-Why are they doing this? The best villains have clear and believable motivations. Avoid “evil for evil’s sake” unless it serves a specific narrative purpose.
2. Give Them a Strong Backstory
-Origins: Offer insight into how they came to be who they are. A traumatic experience, betrayal, or failure within society could explain the formation of their worldview. This backstory adds depth, humanizing the character and making them more relatable.
3. Make Them Relatable but Flawed
-Humanity: Even the most horrible villains should have relatable qualities. Maybe they seek love, respect, or security, but their methods of achieving it are just a bit twisted.
-Fatal Flaw: This could be pride, revenge or greed.
4. Provide a Moral Dilemma
-Gray Area: A villain who operates in moral ambiguity is more interesting than one who is purely evil.
5. Match Them to the Hero
-Reflection of the Hero: A great villain often mirrors the hero. They may share similar traits but take drastically different paths, or the villain’s qualities may highlight the hero’s weaknesses or insecurities.
-Personal Connection: Consider making the conflict between hero and villain personal. A shared history or a direct personal stake makes the conflict more intense.
6. Give Them Power and Weakness
-Strengths: A villain should be formidable. They need to be powerful enough (physically, intellectually) to pose a serious challenge to the hero.
-Vulnerabilities: At the same time, give them weaknesses, whether it’s an emotional blind spot or a physical vulnerability. This can help balance the power dynamic and provide opportunities for tension and suspense.
7. Create a Sense of Threat
-Unpredictability: A great villain should feel like they could do anything.
-Ruthlessness: They should demonstrate their willingness to go further than the hero, pushing moral boundaries. Whether it’s through cruelty, manipulation, or unrelenting ambition, the villain should seem capable of extreme measures.
8. Develop their character
-Character: Just like the hero, a great villain will undergo change throughout the story.
BONUS: my “favourite” villains of all time
Darth Vader – in his own twisted ways, he’s done what he’s done for love.
Loki – common, he’s hilarious!!
Norman Bates (Psycho) – I always found his character intriguing.
Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty) – she was MADE into the villain! I understand her rage.