Good Villains: The Hidden Mentors of Great Heroes

What makes a villain truly memorable? From the Joker and Darth Vader to Hannibal Lecter and Keyser Söze, the greatest villains share traits we secretly admire—confidence, determination, meticulous planning, and unwavering commitment to their goals. But what happens when these same qualities are used for a noble cause?

In this video essay, we explore the concept of good villains—characters like V from V for Vendetta and Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption—who possess all the traits of a superior antagonist but channel them toward justice and freedom. Unlike traditional heroes, they don’t change; instead, they force others to transform.

By examining how good villains inspire growth in characters like Evey Hammond and Red, we reveal why these films remain endlessly rewatchable and why the best antagonists may also be the greatest mentors.

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📜 Full transcript available in the show notes.

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Видео Good Villains: The Hidden Mentors of Great Heroes канала Stand Up Philosopher