10 Best Villain tropes in Fiction
- Jenna Moreci
- Aug 5
- 6 min read
HelloOoOo everybody!
Today felt like a good day for sharing the love, as well as appreciating good old-fashioned reprehensible behavior. I am listing my top ten favorite tropes surrounding villains in fiction, because “Yay, evil!” Here are my favorite villain tropes, the stuff that makes me hate the bad guy so much that I feel it in my soul.
This video is sponsored by Skillshare. As always, all opinions are my own.
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Number 1: Privileged Villains
Privileged villains are the best villains because they're realistic. Take a look back at history, who’s fucked shit up the most? Privileged assholes. This is not just my opinion; there is statistical evidence and psychological studies stating that experiencing hardship is a proven way to develop compassion and empathy. Thus, a spoiled brat who's done jack shit to get to where they are today is more likely to become a douchebag.
Of course, this is not a hard and fast rule, but my point is that the scenario is a lot easier to believe. Plus, no one likes a coddled, arrogant piece of shit, am I right? They’re easy to hate. Give me a rich bitch and I'm a happy camper.
Number 2: Betrayal
Betrayal is one of the all-time best villain tropes because everyone has been betrayed at some point. It is hurtful and enraging at the same time. It stirs up every horrible feeling that you don't want to feel. Taking a character your protagonist trusts or depends on in some way, and then having them go, “Just kidding, eat a dick,” is a surefire way to piss your reader right off.
And I wanna be pissed off. I wanna look at this character and say, “You just did what!? Et tu, Brute?” Betrayal is such an effective plot device because it's a knife in the heart that both the protagonist and the reader can feel.
Number 3: “Whodunit?”
There's a bad guy wreaking all kinds of havoc throughout the novel, and the protagonist, along with the reader, is trying to figure out who it is among a host of characters. Typically, this trope pops up in mystery novels. However, you can find it in a variety of genres: sci-fi, fantasy, thriller, whatever. So long as it fits the plot and the clues are well hidden, it's really entertaining.
I enjoy this trope because it's kinda like a puzzle. I'm trying to piece the clues together before the big reveal so that I can say, “Ha! I figured it out. I'm right. I'm smart. So there!” Any villain that boosts my own ego is a villain I can get behind.
Number 4: “They’re the Villain!?"
This trope is when the villain is someone that you almost never see playing a villain. Maybe the villain is a five-year-old boy, a little old lady, or a defenseless kitten. Take someone who looks completely innocent and turn them into an evil mastermind. I'm here for it.
Obviously, this can't work all the time and for every story, but when it does, it's super engaging. One, because it's shocking. And two, because it's original. We don't see a lot of killer grandmas or vampire bunnies, but when we do, we remember them. Bunnicula, I’m looking at you.
Number 5: The Final Boss
There are a few things that set off a series better than the hero going head to head with the big baddie, only to find out they're not the big baddie. The bad guy you've been battling this entire time isn't even a big deal. They’re just a lackey. This is round one bitches, better buckle up ’cause shits gonna get wild.
I love this because not only does it make for a great plot twist, but it also sets up the action and story for the sequel perfectly. If you thought the villain was a piece of work, just wait until you meet their boss.
Number 6: Religious Basket Cases
I love a pious nut job. Give me a deranged cult and I'm on board. This kind of villain is so effective because they're genuinely scary. People do crazy shit in the name of religion. So, as a reader, you really don't know what to expect. Sacrifice a bunch of innocent people? Sure, why not? It's what Krogh would have wanted.
Religious figures and cult leaders also make for great villains because they very easily and successfully recruit followers, which means lackeys up the ass. Your hero is never safe because anyone could be a daughter of the Sky God, or worshiper of Lord Farquaad, or whoever the fuck your villain reveres. It's even juicier when the villain doesn't even believe in their deity, and is just using blind worship for personal gain. That's some real life shit right there.
Number 7: Monsters
I love monsters. This is one of the reasons I'm such a huge fan of Greek mythology; there are so many cool-ass monsters. I want ‘em. Look, guys, I'm gonna be honest, as long as it's not some stupid green blob, I don't care if the monster is cheesy or if it doesn't make sense. Just give it to me.
And if the monster is somehow tied to the water, even better. Why? ’Cause the ocean is fucking scary. Have you seen deep-sea fish? They’re horrifying! I just want some evil creatures that'll give me nightmares, okay. Do me a solid, hook girl up.
Number 8: Villains You Love To Hate
Villains you love to hate are fantastic characters for one key reason: they’re entertaining. You know this person's a piece of shit. You know they have virtually no redeeming qualities. But there's something about them that captivates your attention. And it's not that you think they're good deep down, or that you're sympathetic to them, because let's be real, they're a garbage human. It's just that you love how garbage-y they are, and you want them to keep being garbage-y for as long as the series will allow.
For me, villains I love to hate typically get this title because they're funny. They may be heinous, but they give me the giggles. And as much as I want the hero to win, I also kinda want the villain to survive. I know you don't deserve to live, but just stick around for a while and entertain me. Please.
Number 9: Sick Burns
I feel like in so many books, and especially in TV shows, the villain’s dialogue is pretty predictable.
“Pitiful mortal. I will destroy you!”
Wow … scary.
What I really love is when the villain actually says something that makes you go, “Ooooh!” If I'm not making this noise, I'm not interested. I think a lot of writers are afraid to take it there, but dear God, I beg you, take it there. Hit below the belt, capitalize on insecurities. I want to see the protagonist cry like a little bitch.
When the villain’s got sick burns, I'm stuck in this position where I hate them so much, but I'm also impressed. And then I'm horrified with myself for being impressed. What have I become? That's the exact place I wanna be. Give me a personal moral dilemma, that’s all I want out of fiction.
Number 10: Unrequited Hatred
This is a trope I see so infrequently, and I wish that it were more common, because I live for it. I cannot get enough of the hero hating the villain with every fiber of their being. And then, meanwhile, the villain looks at the hero and thinks, “Who are you again?” Maybe the villain doesn't see them as a threat, maybe they see them as beneath them. Whatever it is, they’re not taking them seriously.
What I love about this is that it only fuels hatred for the villain even more. Few things are more infuriating than wasting all this emotion on someone who barely acknowledges your existence. It helps to solidify the authority of the villain because if they can't be bothered to give two shits about the hero, they must be pretty damn untouchable. Of course, as the story progresses and the hero becomes more powerful, this dynamic will likely change, and that's fine. I just love it when the dynamic at least starts this way; it makes the hero's ultimate win even more satisfying.
So that's all I've got for you today!
A huge thank you to Skillshare for sponsoring today's videos. They helped make it possible for me to produce regular content for you guys, and I really, really appreciate the support. Skillshare is not leaving you guys empty-handed. Right now, you can get two months of Skillshare Premium for free by clicking the activation link here. Only 500 people are gonna get in on this offer, so if you want two months' worth of classes available for free—that’s over 25,000 classes and you don't have to pay a dime—click the link. Get in on the offer. Do it now.
*This post is sponsored by Skillshare. As always, all opinions are my own.
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I also loved the "murderous grandma and the vampire rabbit" bit - it's a reminder that a villain's appearance can contribute a lot to their impact. Awesome! google doodle baseball
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