Writing Great Villains — 3 Archetypes of Villainy from Nolan, Fincher, and PT Anderson

Summary

The video script from 'Page to Picture' offers insights into crafting memorable villains in film. It breaks down three villain archetypes: the 'Mirror', reflecting the hero's traits; the 'Looming Threat', a constant danger with limited presence; and the 'Villain Protagonist', who blends heroism with villainy. The script explores character traits, motivations, and the balance between sympathy and evil, using examples from iconic films to illustrate the art of creating compelling antagonists.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Creating a memorable villain involves understanding their character archetypes and how they interact with the hero.
• 🪄 'The Mirror' villain archetype is characterized by the villain sharing traits, values, or methods with the hero, serving as a direct contrast.
• 🃏 In 'The Dark Knight', the Joker is a mirror to Batman, challenging Batman's moral code and sense of purpose.
• 👻 'The Looming Threat' villain is one whose presence is felt but rarely seen, creating a sense of constant danger through their actions and the reactions of other characters.
• 🎬 The 'Se7en' screenplay exemplifies the looming threat archetype, with the villain's identity and actions being revealed gradually and through the aftermath of their deeds.
• 🤔 The ambiguity of the villain's motivation in 'The Looming Threat' adds to the suspense and the audience's engagement.
• 🦹‍♂️ The 'Villain Protagonist' is a character who has a protagonist's journey but exhibits villainous traits, like Daniel Plainview in 'There Will Be Blood'.
• 🔍 For a villain protagonist, it's crucial to balance their sympathetic qualities with their villainous actions to maintain audience investment.
• 📚 The script of 'There Will Be Blood' shows how Daniel Plainview's ambition leads to his moral downfall, illustrating a 'fall arc' character arc.
• 📉 The importance of a character's internal conflict, especially in mirror villains, to drive the plot and the hero's development.
• 📈 The use of eyewitness accounts and the aftermath of a villain's actions to build a looming threat and engage the audience's imagination.

Q & A

What are the three villain archetypes discussed in the 'Page to Picture' episode?

The three villain archetypes discussed are 'The Mirror', 'The Looming Threat', and 'The Villain Protagonist'.

How are 'Mirror' villains defined in the script?

'Mirror' villains are defined as characters that are the opposite of the hero but also share certain traits, values, or methods, creating a complementary relationship that highlights each other's traits.

What is the significance of parallel traits in 'Mirror' villains?

Parallel traits in 'Mirror' villains are significant as they help to create external conflict within the plot and internal conflict within the development of the hero.

Can you provide an example of a 'Mirror' villain from the script?

An example of a 'Mirror' villain from the script is the Joker from 'The Dark Knight', who is an outsider like Batman and challenges Batman's sense of purpose and morality.

How does the script describe the 'Looming Threat' villain archetype?

The 'Looming Threat' villain archetype is described as a constant threat despite limited presence in the story, with their danger hanging oppressively over the hero, often requiring audience imagination to perceive their threat.

What is the strategy for writing a 'Looming Threat' villain as per the script?

The strategy for writing a 'Looming Threat' villain includes keeping the villain absent as much as possible, building their mythology through actions, firsthand perspectives, and unclear or unknown motives.

Can you give an example of a 'Looming Threat' villain from the script?

An example of a 'Looming Threat' villain from the script is John Doe from 'Se7en', who is rarely seen but whose horrific actions and unclear motives create a constant sense of dread.

What is the 'Villain Protagonist' archetype?

The 'Villain Protagonist' archetype refers to a character who is the protagonist but exhibits villainous traits, often being both the hero and the antagonist of the story.

How does the script suggest balancing sympathy and villainy in a 'Villain Protagonist'?

The script suggests finding a balance between sympathy and villainy by giving the 'Villain Protagonist' a complete character arc and ensuring they possess some redemptive quality to keep the audience invested.

Can you provide an example of a 'Villain Protagonist' from the script?

An example of a 'Villain Protagonist' from the script is Daniel Plainview from 'There Will Be Blood', whose excessive ambition leads to his downfall, balancing his desire for family with his villainous pursuit of wealth and power.

What are the common characteristics important for any villain archetype according to the script?

The common characteristics important for any villain archetype include having a clear goal, an antagonist, a character arc, and a balance between sympathy and villainy to engage the audience.