Types of Villain

How to categorise your villains based on their approach to getting their way

In the classic hero-villain dynamic, the conflict isn't just a clash of fists, but a battle of wills, ideologies, and strategies. The villain serves as a crucial obstacle, testing the hero's mettle and pushing them to their limits. This obstacle can manifest in various forms, each demanding a unique approach from the hero. There are three ways this obstacles usually manifest

• Power
• Volatility
• Intellect

Power

The Tyranny of Hierarchy

This villain wields authority, strength, or resources that dwarf the hero's. They operate from a position of dominance, using their power to oppress, control, or inflict suffering. Examples range from the mundane (school bullies, tyrannical bosses) to the extreme (dictators, crime lords, supernatural entities). Their cruelty often stems from a desire to maintain control or a deep-seated belief in their own superiority.

Hero's approaches

Strategic Subversion

The hero might not be able to confront the villain head-on. Instead, they could work to undermine their power structure from within, rallying allies, exposing corruption, or exploiting weaknesses in the villain's system. They basically chip away at the villain's power.

In "The Hunger Games," Katniss Everdeen, while forced to participate in the Games, subtly ignites rebellion against the Capitol's oppressive regime by defying their rules and symbolizing resistance.

Empowerment of the Oppressed

By inspiring and equipping those under the villain's control, the hero can create a resistance that challenges the villain's authority. This approach prioritizes collective action over individual confrontation.

In "Les Misérables," Jean Valjean's actions inspire others to fight for justice and challenge the established power structures, leading to the June Rebellion.

Seeking External Allies

If the villain's power is too great to overcome alone, the hero might seek out allies with comparable power, such as other heroes, powerful organizations, or even supernatural entities.

In "The Lord of the Rings," Frodo and the Fellowship seek the aid of Elves, Dwarves, and Men to combat Sauron's overwhelming power.

Moral High Ground

By consistently demonstrating unwavering integrity and compassion, the hero can expose the villain's cruelty and erode their legitimacy, even if they can't physically defeat them. Sometimes, the goal is not to defeat the enemy directly, but prove the that the fight is not worth fighting in the first place.

In "Schindler's List," Oskar Schindler uses his position to save Jewish lives, showing great moral character against the horrific nazi regime, and showing the true evil of the regime by his actions.

Exposing Vulnerabilities

Even the most powerful villain has vulnerabilities. Learning these weaknesses, whether physical, emotional, or logistical, can provide an avenue for the hero to strike effectively.

In "Star Wars A New Hope," the Rebel Alliance exploits the Death Star's design flaw, a vulnerable exhaust port, to destroy it.

Volatility

The Chaos Factor

This villain defies logic and predictability. Their actions are driven by erratic impulses, a distorted worldview, or a complete disregard for societal norms. The Joker is a prime example, embodying chaotic unpredictability. This makes them incredibly dangerous and difficult to anticipate.

Hero's Approaches

Psychological Insight

Understanding the villain's twisted psychology, even if it seems nonsensical, can provide clues to their motivations and potential actions. The hero might need to delve into the villain's past or mindset to find patterns.

In "The Dark Knight," Batman attempts to understand the Joker's chaotic motivations to anticipate his moves, though he often fails to truly grasp the villain's madness.

Adaptability and Improvisation

Rigid plans are useless against a volatile villain. The hero must be able to react quickly and adapt to unexpected situations, relying on their instincts and resourcefulness.

In "Mad Max Fury Road," Max and Furiosa constantly adapt to the unpredictable actions of Immortan Joe and his War Boys, using their resourcefulness to survive.

Containment and Isolation

If direct confrontation is too risky, the hero might focus on containing the villain, limiting their ability to cause harm. This could involve trapping them, isolating them from their resources, or manipulating them into self-destructive actions.

In "Silence of the Lambs," Hannibal Lecter is kept in a secure facility to limit his ability to cause harm, though his intellect still poses a threat.

Exploiting Inconsistencies

Even chaos has patterns. The hero can exploit the inconsistencies in the villain's behavior, using their unpredictability against them.

In the Sherlock Holmes stories, Holmes uses the inconsistencies of the criminals actions to deduce their patterns, and then use those patterns against them.

Emotional Appeals (with caution)

Sometimes, appealing to the small pieces of humanity left in the villain can work, but this is a very risky approach, as the volatile villain is very likely to betray any trust shown to them. It might also be possible to show them "the errors of their way"

In some depictions of the Joker, Batman attempts to appeal to any remaining humanity within him, though this is incredibly risky and rarely successful.

Intellect

The Mastermind's Game

This villain relies on their superior intellect, cunning, and strategic planning. They are often master manipulators, orchestrating complex schemes and staying several steps ahead of the hero. Examples include Moriarty, Lex Luthor, and other brilliant criminal masterminds.

Hero's Approaches

Strategic Analysis

The hero must match the villain's intellect, analyzing their plans, anticipating their moves, and identifying their weaknesses. This might involve extensive research, collaboration with experts, or even employing their own cunning.

In "Sherlock Holmes," Sherlock Holmes meticulously analyzes crime scenes and deduces the perpetrator's motives and methods, often anticipating their next move.

Information Gathering

The villain's strength lies in their knowledge. The hero must gather information, uncover their secrets, and disrupt their communication networks. Sometimes, the hardest part is figuring out the villain's plan.

In "Mission: Impossible," Ethan Hunt and his team excel at gathering crucial intelligence to thwart complex plots.

Counter-Manipulation

The hero might need to play the villain's game, using deception, misdirection, and psychological tactics to turn the tables.

In "Ocean's Eleven," Danny Ocean and his crew use elaborate schemes and misdirection to manipulate their target, Terry Benedict.

Disrupting the Network

Masterminds usually have a network of resources and people. Dismantling this network can leave the villain vulnerable. This involves things like exposing their spies or taking out henchmen

In the "James Bond" franchise, Bond often targets the villain's network of henchmen, resources, and communication channels to weaken their operation.

Outthinking the Villain

Sometimes the best way to beat a mastermind is to do something they don't expect. This requires creative thinking and a willingness to take risks.

In "The Prestige," the rival magicians, Borden and Angier, engage in a battle of wits, constantly trying to outsmart each other with increasingly elaborate illusions.

Patience and Perseverance

Masterminds often have long-term plans. The hero must be patient, persistent, and willing to endure setbacks.

In "The Count of Monte Cristo," Edmond Dantès spends years meticulously planning his revenge, demonstrating remarkable patience and perseverance.

Conclusion:

Crafting a Compelling Dynamic

The hero-villain dynamic is the heart of many compelling stories. By understanding the different ways a villain can challenge a hero, writers can create richer, more engaging narratives. To craft a truly memorable dynamic, consider these key pieces of advice:

• Give the Villain Depth: Avoid simplistic "evil for evil's sake" portrayals. Explore the villain's motivations, their past, and their worldview. A well-developed villain with understandable (even if not justifiable) reasons for their actions will resonate more deeply with the audience.
• Create a Meaningful Connection: The hero and villain should be more than just adversaries. A shared history, a philosophical disagreement, or even a twisted sense of respect can elevate the conflict and make it more personal.
• Tailor the Hero's Approach: The hero's methods should be appropriate for the type of villain they face. A brute-force approach against a master manipulator will likely fail, and vice versa.
• Escalate the Stakes: Gradually increase the challenges the villain presents, forcing the hero to grow and adapt. This keeps the story engaging and prevents the conflict from becoming repetitive.
• Explore the Gray Areas: Don't be afraid to blur the lines between good and evil. The hero might be forced to make morally ambiguous choices, and the villain might have moments of vulnerability or even redemption.
• Focus on the Theme: Let the hero-villain dynamic serve as a vehicle for exploring deeper themes, such as justice, power, corruption, or the nature of humanity. The conflict should contribute to the overall message of the story.
• Balance the Intellect and Action: A good dynamic is not all brawns, or all brains. Make sure that the Hero is tested in multiple ways, and that the villain is also challenged.
• Give the Villain a Win, or a Near Win: If the villain is always losing, they will seem less of a threat. Allowing the villain to gain ground, or even win a battle, raises the stakes and makes the hero's ultimate victory more meaningful.

By carefully considering these elements, writers can create a hero-villain dynamic that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impact on their audience.