The new Star Wars movie has gotten me thinking about villainy again. By their very nature, villains are nasty and frightening. But, they can also wield a pleasant face, do pretty deeds, and pretend to goodness. To me, that's the most terrifying aspect of villains--not knowing exactly who they are or what they're up to. Villains who mask themselves behind purity are especially nasty--like a friendly neighborhood dog who suddenly attacks your face.
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| Kylo Ren from Star Wars: The Force Awakens |
The best kinds of villains make the audience squirm, however they manage it. Star Wars tends towards villains who are very up front in their evilness (although one is commonly pulling the strings in the background). When the heroes are in the presence of the villain (knowingly or not), it sets the audience on edge, because we expect something to go wrong. Tension is always great in a story, and the more the better.
A special kind of villain is the one who's in the process of becoming a full villain. They may be waffling between good or bad, and redemption is still a real possibility. Until that possibility is broken, the audience still hopes against hope that everything turns out well. But, when the villain finally reveals true villainy, it still manages to shock and dismay. That's the magic point, where crisis and tension jump up another level. Heroes need something to fight against, and the better the villain the better the story. Don't keep it a secret too long though, or you run the danger of loosing your audience.
- M
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