The Evolution of Villains: From Pure Evil to Complex Characters

For decades, villains in cinema were defined by their black-and-white ethicality. The embodiments of pure evil, these characters, mostly men, existed solely to oppose the hero and give the audiences someone to loathe. 

From the wicked cackling of Cruella Deville to conniving Bollywood villains of the 70s (how can we forget, Gabbar Singh?), these characters never allowed the audience to question their morality. But as cinema has evolved with the times, so have the villains. Today, they are more layered, morally grey, and annoyingly relatable, reflecting a larger picture of societal veneers and opening doors for nuanced storytelling. 

Let’s take a journey through the evolution of villains, analysing key components from both Indian and Western cinema to understand this beautiful evolution. 

The Archetypal Villain: When Evil Was Pure Evil 

In early cinema, villains were linear. Hollywood’s silent era and golden age often portrayed villains as serious-looking schemers; think Nosferatu or Freddy Krueger. These villains only had one purpose in life; to be evil just for the sake of it. 

Closer to home, the 50s and 60s followed a similar formula. Pran’s iconic antagonistic portrayal earned him the “Villain of the Millennium” award. And how can we forget Amrish Puri’s Mogambo in the cult-favourite Mr. India? Their nefarious intentions were clear from the get-go but rarely explored beyond that. Things were simple; the more sideways things went for the hero, the more, “Mogambo khush hua.” 

Shifting Tides: The Entry of the Anti-Hero

By the 70s and 80s, storytellers started seeing villains as more than just being evil for the plot. The West gave us characters like Michael Corleone in The Godfather series (1972-1990), who straddled the line between hero and antagonist. Michael was a product of his circumstances, offering a more in-depth look into the character for whom survival meant accepting the dark side. 

Bollywood brought its own evolution with characters like Gabbar Singh in Sholay (1975). While Gabbar was the epitome of evil gangster, his charisma and unforgettable one-liners made him strangely endearing. Villains were no longer seen with the lens of hate; they got the chance to be scene-stealers, often overshadowing the heroes. 

Then, in the 90s, the misunderstood antagonist rose to the occasion. Shah Rukh Khan’s bone-chilling portrayal of an obsessive lover and a son seeking revenge in Darr (1993) and Baazigar (1993) turned the tide and gave the villain even more psychological depth. What made him who he is? Is he driven by trauma, obsession, or revenge? Filmmakers encouraged the viewers to start asking questions. 

The Modern Villain: Complex, Human, and Hauntingly Real 

The 21st century brought a fresh wave of villains who ended up being more humanised than ever. In Hollywood, Joker from The Dark Knight (2008), Joker (2019) and Joke: Folie à Deux (2024) is the ultimate example of a character with an intricate backstory and retrospective undertone. Heath Ledger’s Joker was more than just a petty criminal, he was an agent of chaos, challenging Batman’s rigid morality. Joaquin Phoenix’s version turned it up a notch, putting forth a man broken by systemic failure, forcing audiences to empathise as well as relate. 

Indian cinema brought its own version of the trend with our very own Ganesh Gaitonde from Sacred Games (2018-2019). A morally ambiguous man who battled his own vulnerabilities to carve a path ahead. Even in Bhool Bhulaiyya 3, Kartik Aaryan’s doppleganger ghost was driven to revenge by the betrayal of his own family, making him operate in shades of grey. 

The Psychology of a Great Villain 

What makes the modern villain so convincing? The key to success is building a complex character. The audience no longer wants a templatised character; they crave a nuanced persona that reflects their own moral ambiguities. A well-written antagonist not only opposes the hero but also presents the viewer a clear perception of right and wrong. With a few hues of grey bled in. 

Take Thanos from Avengers: Infinity War (2018) for instance. While his goal was to restore balance to the universe, his methods were despicable. The filmmakers backed his actions with solid logic though, forcing the audience to battle their own judgement. Similarly, in Bollywood, Randeep Hooda’s character in Highway (2014) kidnaps Alia Bhatt’s character but is revealed to be a deeply scarred human seeking redemption. 

The layers in these characters serve a dual purpose; enriching the narrative while also providing actors with the platform to deliver a mind-bending performance. Villains of today are here to elevate stories, making them unforgettable. 

Why Complex Villains Matter 

A well-developed villain reflects humanity’s realities and complexities. The point of having a morally grey antagonist is to make the viewers question their own values and biases, creating a more thought-provoking experience. 

As storytellers continue the dive deeper into the depths of human nature, fresh antagonists are being created in a more fascinating manner. This shift is evident in films like Parasite (2019), where the “villains” are a desperate family fighting the systemic attack of poverty. So, the next time you find yourself rooting for the bad guy, remember: a great villain isn’t just evil—they’re a reflection of us humans. 

Written by – Arya Chatterjee