In many stories, a hero needs an opposing force to make things interesting. Spine-tingling, hate-provoking villains fill that role nicely.
They offer perspectives, emotions, and actions that often contrast those of the heroes, giving readers and viewers a better understanding of the story’s message.
Common Types of Villains
The best villains are always the ones who are as dimensional and unique as the heroes. Compelling villains don’t simply commit evil act—they lure the readers into loving them and doubting who they should root for in the story.
For writers, the type of villain they use either complements or destroys the hero they have. And for readers, knowing what kind of villain they face prepares them for the turmoil that’s about to happen.
Here are the most common archetypes of villains you can find in novels, movies, TV shows, and more.
1. The Classic Villain
Classic villains have no redeeming qualities. They’re simply there to act as a foil to the hero.
They do bad things simply because they’re evil. They’re two-dimensional, lack any sort of development, and generate no sympathy from readers.
Most readers and viewers now prefer more dynamic characters who feel real, so this type of villain is now rarely used. Classic villains have mostly been relegated to children’s stories where kids can slowly learn the concept of good vs. evil.
Disney villains closely follow this trope. For example, Yzma from The Emperor’s New Groove is a malicious old crone who continually schemes to usurp the throne.
2. The Anti-Villain
Anti-villains are bad guys who exhibit non-villain characteristics.
They can have noble traits, values, and goals but their methods for achieving these goals are questionable or downright evil.
Their ethics and the ethics of the heroes are closely aligned but a slim difference puts them on opposing sides.
In the most extreme case, they’re good guys who are convinced that the end absolutely justifies the means. They’re off to save the world even if it doesn’t want to be saved, and heaven help anyone who tries to stop them.
A recent example of this is Thanos from Avengers: Infinity War. He believes that killing off half the universe will stabilize it and lead to prosperity for the surviving half.
3. The Beast
Beast villains are those who rely on their instincts and destructive abilities to achieve their goals.
This type of villain is often found in horror and science fiction. Most often, they’re literal monsters who can’t be reasoned with or controlled. They can also be humans who succumb to their base desires and ignore critical thinking to get what they want.
They are some of the most dangerous villains in literature partly because of their potential for destruction but also their strange thought processes. In the end, death is the only answer to defeating them.
A classic example is the great white shark from Jaws who likes to prey on humans for no apparent reason.
4. The Authority Figure
Authority figures are villains who have achieved a position of power but still crave for more.
They’re driven by a desire for wealth, prestige, or military strength, and they’ll stop at nothing to get more and more of what they want. Their usual goal is to dominate a certain area, such as a corporation, a country, or even the world.
They’re often tyrants and megalomaniacs, never listening to anyone but themselves, and often answering any perceived slight with cruelty. They lead through fear and surround themselves with other morally bankrupt people.
President Snow from The Hunger Games is a typical example of this. He’s cruel, ruthless, and uses his political power to keep the districts subservient to the Capitol.
5. The Bully
Bullies are mean, small-time characters who make life miserable for the heroes.
Their motivations can range from simple jealousy to a complete lack of morals. Often, they’re depicted as victims of abuse and insecurities.
Sometimes they repent and become one of the good guys; other times, they graduate from minor baddies to full-blown villains.
They’re meant to provide contrast to the heroes and motivate them to be better.
A good example is Dudley Dursley from the Harry Potter series. He’s a spoiled brat who takes every opportunity to torment Harry.
6. The Fanatic
Fanatics are villains who are driven by an extreme ideology.
This extreme ideology is often religious, but it can also be a twisted moral belief. They’re blinded by it and fail to realize the consequences of their actions.
They may believe that a certain group of people needs to be wiped out from the face of the earth, or that true peace is only achieved when free will is extinguished. Whatever the reason, they’ll keep pushing no matter what.
Melisandre from Game of Thrones is a type of fanatic. She burns nonbelievers, uses blood magic, and pretty much does anything for the sake of her “true religion.”
7. The Machine
Machine villains are technological constructs who aim to kill or obstruct the hero.
They’re similar to the Beast in that they both have a single goal, are difficult to defeat, and are extremely terrifying. The difference is that while beasts operate on their base instincts, machines employ cold, hard logic.
Their technological abilities give them advantages over the heroes. That, combined with their incapability of feeling emotions, makes them almost unstoppable foes.
One of the most popular examples of this is the Terminator, a relentless killing machine who can pass off as human, has the ability to learn and adapt, and is able to perform extraordinary feats.
8. The Personification of Evil
Personifications of Evil are just that—pure evil working to destroy or dominate the world.
They offer little to no backstory. They’re simply evil because they’re evil incarnate. They can’t be reasoned with, threatened, or ignored.
Primarily found in fantasy fiction, they serve as almost insurmountable challenges that heroes must struggle against.
Sauron from The Lord of the Rings is a prime example of this. He commands armies of baddies, desires to rule all of Middle-Earth, and corrupts anything and anyone for his own purpose.
9. The Mastermind
Mastermind villains are highly intelligent characters who pull the strings behind diabolical plots.
They see themselves as superior to everyone else, though they obsess over people (often the hero), who prove an interesting match. They prefer challenging their opponents mentally though they’re not afraid to get physical if they need to.
Part of what makes them villainous is their enjoyment of breaking other people’s wills. They make brilliant, devilish plans not only to get what they want but to also play with their adversaries.
One of the best examples of this is Professor James Moriarty from Sherlock Holmes. He doesn’t commit the crimes himself. Instead, he provides other criminals with protection and resources for their crimes in exchange for a fee.
10. The Henchman
Henchmen are villains who do a bigger villain’s bidding. They’re a villain’s version of a sidekick.
They generally have the same mindset, morals, and cravings as their masters, but lack the intelligence or resources that their masters do, so they settle for a lower position instead.
They exist to do the dirty work that their bosses can’t or won’t do. And though they often lack brains, they more than make up for it in brawn.
More intelligent minions aspire to take over their organization, usually through betrayal or promotion.
A particularly famous henchman is Boba Fett from Star Wars. He is first introduced as one of six bounty hunters tasked by Darth Vader to capture Luke and his crew.
11. The Equal
Equals are villains who are near doppelgangers of the heroes they oppose.
They share the same skills, abilities, and knowledge, but differ in ethics and morals. Because they’re a match for the heroes, they’re also likely to become the heroes’ nemeses.
It’s enticing to see two characters who are mostly similar go head-to-head, as it’s not clear who will win the fight. This immediately gives readers the action and thrill they crave.
This villain type is usually seen in superhero fiction. One of the most obvious is the Reverse-Flash, who is basically the Flash, only evil.
12. The Corrupted
Corrupted villains are those who were once good but turned evil.
Once paragons of justice, they slowly succumb to their desires or fears. Dirty cops, crooky politicians, and shady businesspeople fall solidly into this trope. The corruption can also be supernatural, when good people are possessed by evil, willingly or not.
When a good person is corrupted, there’s often no way back without paying a price they’re not willing to pay.
A good example of this is Albert Neri from The Godfather. Once a promising cop, he kills an unarmed suspect, which results in him being fired and falling in with organized crime.
Villain vs. Antagonist
Every story has an antagonist, but not every story has a villain. While the two words are used interchangeably, they serve different functions in a narrative.
Antagonists are people who actively oppose or are hostile to another person. Villains are characters whose evil actions or motives are important to the plot.
As author Annika Griffith puts it, an antagonist is a plot role, defined by its function in the story. Villains, on the other hand, are characters who are separated from others because of their morality.
Antagonists don’t need to be evil; they can simply be people with different methods, personalities, and thought processes from the protagonist.
Meanwhile, villains are antagonists who are specifically bad or evil. They’re morally bankrupt and ethically compromised characters.
There’s a gray area for sure. The most exciting stories are always those that blur the lines between antagonists, protagonists, heroes, and villains.
What’s your favorite type of villain? Share it in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 15 Books About Villains: Can a Protagonist Be Bad?
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- What Is a False Protagonist? Definition and Examples
- The Saddest Character Deaths on Screen and Paper
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
