How to Create Villains that Audiences Love to Hate

👹Hateable villains are characters who represent the human embodiment of evil and display immoral behavior.

🚫These villains should lack redeeming qualities and have an unfair advantage over the hero.

👥Audiences love to root against hateable villains and want to see them get defeated or punished.

😡Unthinkably evil acts committed by hateable villains create excitement and make the story world feel unsafe.

🎭Certain stories benefit from having hateable villains to provide a clear contrast between good and evil.

What makes a hateable villain?

—Hateable villains are characters who embody evil, display immoral behavior, lack redeeming qualities, and have an unfair advantage over the hero.

Why do hateable villains work in storytelling?

—Hateable villains create a powerful dynamic between the audience and the hero, as audiences love to root against them and want to see their immoral behavior get punished.

Do hateable villains always lack a humanizing backstory?

—Yes, hateable villains typically lack a humanizing backstory, with the focus being on their horrendously immoral behavior.

Which stories benefit from having hateable villains?

—Certain stories, such as those with a clear contrast between good and evil or a morally gray narrative, benefit from having hateable villains.

What are some examples of hateable villains in popular stories?

—Joffrey from Game of Thrones, Ivan Drago from Rocky IV, and Cal Hockley from Titanic are examples of hateable villains in popular stories.

00:00Introduction to the topic of creating hateable villains in storytelling.

02:45Definition and characteristics of hateable villains, including their immoral behavior and lack of humanizing backstory.

05:30Explanation of why hateable villains work in storytelling, including the audience's desire to root against them and see them get punished.

07:54Tips for creating hateable villains, such as giving them a 'kick the dog' moment and making their behavior unforgivable.

08:53Examples of hateable villains in popular stories, including Joffrey from Game of Thrones, Ivan Drago from Rocky IV, and Cal Hockley from Titanic.