1
We often empathize with villains who’ve suffered—like Killmonger or Magneto. Their pain makes them relatable.
2
Villains break the rules we follow every day. Watching them gives us a safe taste of rebellion and freedom.
3
Master manipulators like Tom Ripley or Cersei Lannister show the power of dark intelligence and social control.
4
According to Carl Jung, villains symbolize our “shadow selves”—the darker parts we suppress or deny.
5
Villains with tragic pasts (e.g. Darth Vader) make us ask: could we become them under the same conditions?
6
Stories where villains succeed (or almost do) linger in our minds. They challenge what we believe about justice.
We love villains because they’re complex, flawed, and sometimes—shockingly—right. Good vs. evil was never this fun.