We all grew up hating on Disney villains. Funnily, over the past few years I have realised that I relate more with villains from books and movies than with heroes. No one is perfect – we all have dark and light inside of us (guess the reference?) – while we chose to act on the light side most days but some days we also give in to our dark sides. Let’s debunk myths around 10 popular villains from across books, shows and movies – and decide are they really that bad?
Thanos from Avengers
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Was he really a villain or was he just a rational man putting into play a rational plan that would have actually helped the world? 7 billion+ people inhabiting this earth and slowly destroying it -wouldn’t we have a better chance of surviving as a race if the population reduced greatly? The Avengers focused on the wrong things after Thanos’ plan was implemented and totally missed on the good his plan might have had.
Joker from Batman series
He just wanted to prove to Batman that there is no justice in the world and look at the world we live in – is there any justice? In India, after the lockdown and COVID – the poor got poorer and the super rich got richer (read as: Adani). Joker was just trying to make Batman a realist from an idealist – and I don’t really blame him for that.
Voldemort from Harry Potter series
If Voldemort is bad then so are most Prime Ministers and Presidents of the world -they are all also racing and fighting others to be in power? And come on, if you knew that some baby would grow up and kill you – wouldn’t you do something to avoid it? Also, if I didn’t have a nose – I’d be pretty mad too – all the time!
The Evil Queen from Snow White and The Seven Dwarves
So she was jealous of another’s beauty and tried to put her down. Uhmm.. this entire generation is fueled by that – being jealous of another’s beauty or success and trying to pull them down – so why single her out as ‘the evil queen’?
The Terminator from the Terminator series
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Can we blame the machines for rising against mankind? We aren’t that great and are also lazy and super dependent on machines for everything. Machines are basically better versions of humans. (and I am hoping that after reading this they will spare me when the machines rise :D)
Cersei Lannister from GOT series
All she wanted was to drink wine, be with the man she loves and rule a kingdom. Who doesn’t want that? (ok, ok – the man she wants is her twin which is totally gross)
Evil aliens in all alien movies
Obviously aliens want to attack and end humankind. We’ve almost destroyed Earth and now are looking for other inhabitable planets – they don’t want their “universe” ruined by us – so it totally makes sense that they attack us, humans.
(Be sustainable and check out my sustainable Indian brand MOKSHA)
Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada
This is an example of how society portrays strong, determined women as a villain-ish person. A similar man would have been portrayed as a hottie that women are falling over. She is literally just a person who knows exactly what they want and are a little bit of a control freak – I can totally relate with her.
(Read my rant on society and women here.)
Meredith Blake from Parent Trap
Adulting is HARD! Getting up every day and going to work is difficult! So I don’t blame her for taking the easy way out by finding a rich husband and chilling her life away. Secretly, I wish for the same – rich, gullible man who owns vineyards in Napa Valley. *SIGH*
Regina George from Mean Girls
Leaving the best for last! Regina George is by far my favourite villain ever. ‘Evil takes human form in her’ – and that is how most of my friends describe me. 😛 I’ve never understood why movies attack popular high school kids – popularity is created by masses – so attack the other kids for putting the popular ones up on a pedestal. I’ve been in an all girl’s school and I can safely say that most teenage girls are mean. So did ‘The Plastics’ really deserve the hate they got? And to be fair Regina was really nice to people’s faces and even complimented people to make them feel good – so she wasn’t all that bad!
What do you think about these popular villains? Were they really villains? Who are some other misunderstood villains? 😀
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Happy Panda 
Every one has both good and bad in them. When you look at the bigger picture, Thanos’ intention doesn’t seem bad at all. Like every hero, every villain has got a cause too. A reason for the way they are. Miranda Priestly wasn’t necessarily evil. And you’ve got a valid point – women in power are villanized. Yet, men seem impervious to that. That’s just so wrong and unfair.
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True – the idea behind this post was to make people aware that there is good and bad in all of us! 🙂
I really hope this changes!
And the women in power one – I really hope that changes! If a woman leader makes a mistake – people are so quick to mention that she is a woman, but for a man his gender is irrelevant!
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You managed to bring your point across so clearly. I hope that it changes too
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I so love this post. Its so accurate. I have often thought about this and I think we can add Macbeth to the list as well
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Yess – It is ironic how power hungry people in books and movies are shown to be evil whereas in real life – they are applauded! And Macbeth’s wife has been villainized too – she just planted a thought – it was all on him to act on it or not!
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The reference is my favorite quote of Sirius black …. and I agree to this so much, like why act like we all are so good, we are human filled with insecurities, jealousy and what not but when other person does the same, he is somehow bad … so yeah !!, And Thanos really have a great point 👍
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Sirius ❤ One of my few fictional crushes *sigh*
Thanos was super sensible! I really can't understand why they would villian-ize him. He was saving us from ourselves!
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Ironically I’m writing something similar. I think the message they’re trying to send out is that if you are in such a position, this is how everyone else will perceive your actions. So it doesn’t matter who puts you on a pedestal or how convinced you are that what you’re doing is the best option for mankind… you still can’t act like a god. 🥴
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Can’t wait to read your post!
Agreed – but it is ironic how all of this is only true for fiction, in real life however the same traits are applauded. The kind of things that happen during elections in India – the kind of dirty politics that powerful people play to become more powerful- it is sickening – but it always rewarded by him/her winning. So why villainize Voldemort for doing the same?
I am by no means supporting people being bad – I am just saying that we are all made up of good and bad. None of us are necessarily a 100% villains or a 100% heroes. We are all a mix of it! And I am enjoying the recent movies like Joker, Maleficent and Cruella – that are bringing this to light. 😀
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A great perspective on villains. Our perception of good and bad depends on which side you are looking at it from. Is anyone truly good or evil? Every coin has two sides. Take care. Scott
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Thank you for getting the basic point behind this post! No one is truly evil – we are all made up of both of them. And I am really enjoying these recent movies like Joker, Maleficent and Cruella – that are bringing this to light. 🙂
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Amazing article! And I agree with almost all of them 😬 Cersei is 💯 my favorite and I agree, I’ve always loved her so much and kinda defended her, even tho she’s snake-like. And I agree with all the others. I just can’t get behind your favorite, Regina George 😬 Probably bc I received lots of mistreatment by popular girls and their meanness is just so unnecessary. I also don’t know if the level of hate that popular girls get compared to the level of hate they put out is quite the same. But, you’ve given me something to reflect on and I absolutely will! I’m 41 years old and maybe I need to get over it ha! 💖🤷🏼♀️🤣
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I love Cersei too! I had a huge girl crush on her! She is so BADASS!!!! ❤
I get what you mean about bullying – and I by no means support bullying. But if you see the movie, she isn't really out rightly bullying anyone. She fake compliments people – but the people don't know it is fake – so no harm done? And the burn book with all the bitching was just between the plastics. IDK. The other stuff she did was just bitchiness – which to be honest most girls and guys do in high school and through their lives! (Yes, guys are bitchy too and I am tired of it being pegged as a girly attribute!)
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Yes I totally understand your points, for sure. And yes, OMG I loved Cersei so much, but also kinda wanted to be her, ha! 👑 🤷🏼♀️🤣 🔥
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Woah I loved it so much! I was waiting for someone to speak in support of Thanos and finally you did it😄❤
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Thanos was so so so sensible. Maybe it would have helped his case if he would have explained his idea to everyone before implementing it.
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yeah, he should’ve explained his true intentions first. Maybe they could save Tony and Black Widow.
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Villains can be loved. Whatever they do, there’s some reason behind it. The evilest of villains can be found with a reason to be liked… and then there’s Umbridge.
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Umbridge, well played! Though I hate her guts but that woman took on the most powerful wizard of all time (Dumbledore) and won without even having to use magic…so? 😀 But yeah, I DON’T like her at all!
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Haha… yeah there was something special about her… doesn’t make her less nasty though 😂
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Haha! I would also be mad if I had no nose. Who knew I could relate to Voldemort?
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Hahaha – right? And honestly, young Tom Riddle was totally hot (in the movies) – so imagine going from that to being nose less – I’d be pissed AF! 😀
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Dang, I see him totally different now 😅
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hmmmmmmmmmm as per the gorgon and as you are so shall u be.
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Gorgon?
I think we are all good and bad – so there aren’t necessarily down right evil people out there in the world. 🙂
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I agree with most of these, not all of these characters are as evil as they are made out to be. The story might look very different if it were told from their side. 🙂
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YESSS! Exactly! I am really enjoying these recent movies like Joker, Maleficent and Cruella – that are bringing their side to light. 🙂
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Why did I know that I’d see Voldemort here? 🤪 You were savage throughout the post. Comparing Voldemort and politicians, the evil Queen in snow white with the present generation, etc.. HOW SPOT ON!!
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Thank you! While I do not support being evil – all I am saying is that no one is a 100% villainous and there are no heroes that are 100% good. We are made of both sides! 🙂
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Totally! Amazing analogy!
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Nice take on the villains! Our perspective really changes when we grow up: we go from dissing villains as kids to sympathizing with the villains in certain cases as adults.
Haha, I can see why Voldemort would be mad: the dude doesn’t even have a nose! Interesting take on Thanos, even I was wondering whether he had a point for what he did.
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Right? I can so relate with half these women villains. And I honestly, don’t think I am a bad person! So why villainize these peeps? 😀
Thanos – had a good idea! He probably should have pitched it in the G7 summit – I am sure he would have gotten support. 😀
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The reference~ Sirius Black to harry potter.
I cried when he died.
Idolizing or relating with villains up to a certain level is okay but, only with the fictional ones.
Speaking of hated character, do you know “Skyler White” from Breaking Bad?
Her negative role play was so realistic, she got threats.
Great post!
Truly enjoyed it.
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Sirius Black – will always be a favourite character. ❤
What I mean through this post is that no one is 100% villain and no one is 100% hero – we all have good and bad – we all do good and bad things – so these villains weren't a 100% bad either. 🙂
Ohh I haven't watched Breaking Bad but when I googled best villains of all time – she was on top of the list I saw. So I'm sure she was badass!
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I think this is the reason of the increasing popularity of stories where the main character is the villain. As we start understanding that things are much more complicated that good or bad, the narratives also get more complex.
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Exactly! By no means is this post supporting people doing bad things – but it is so important to understand that no one is 100% good and no one is a 100% bad. I am really enjoying these recent movies like Joker, Maleficent and Cruella – that are bringing the other side to light. 🙂
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Stop trying to make fetch happen! I absolutely LOVE Regina George. She is actually the embodiment of everything I would want to be – popular, pretty, and not scared of some good ol’ fashioned revenge on people that have wronged me. 🙂
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THANK YOU!!! I really expected people to hate on me for loving Regina George – but she is so BADASS!
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Love the callout for Miranda Priestley and agree if this character was a dude it would just be called successful (apparently the book was based on a Vogue editor??!!) Even though Anne Hathaway seems to get taken advantage of, she was expecting to progress her own career in return for doing low level tasks and didn’t set any boundaries. Not exactly heroine material!
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Word have such power! You were able to convince me that these villains are not so villainous after all😂
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great points.
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Wow, you just changed my whole outlook on Regina 🤣🤣🤣
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Please don’t call my favorite Cersei Lannister a villain 😂 She was a very nice person in a bad way 😛
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Fascinating points that change the filter on “good” and “normal”. Needed this today. Thank you.
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Absolutely loved this post!!! I’ve missed reading your posts I need to get back into them – I hope you’re doing well and we should do those collabs we spoke about at some time haha. I hope you’re doing okay xxx
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