When I was younger, I despised the Disney villains just like any other kid would. They hurt the princess in some way, so they were immediately written off by me. Now that I’m an adult, I find them fascinating because they’re representations of the feelings and parts of us we try to hide away: greed, jealousy or even cruelty. It’s strangely appealing to witness a character act on these impulses rather than pretend they’re not there to begin with. We know these feelings are wrong, but sometimes we might secretly understand where they’re coming from.
For example, there’s Maleficent who acts out due to the deep betrayal she faced from the boy she loved. I can’t say I necessarily blame her for becoming so bitter afterwards either. She trusted him completely, and he took that trust and ripped it to shreds. I wouldn’t turn into an evil person, but I’d definitely be hurt too.
Another example is Scar from The Lion King who was jealous of his brother’s popularity and power. He wanted the title of King for himself. I can’t understand his reasoning as well as I could for Maleficent because I’ve never felt greedy for more power in a situation. I will say I do think he felt like he was living in his brother’s shadow, which is sad to consider but still not enough reason to act out the way he did.
Regardless, whether it’s jealousy, desire for more, rejection or even betrayal, we’ve all been there before at some point. These emotions are simply exaggerated in these stories and within the characters. Plus, the villains are always so confident in the risks they take. In a way, that makes it a bit more exciting to watch in comparison to the cautious and uncertain heroes. Without them, I’m not sure there would be much of a plot. Conflict thrives on drama, and the villains are the ones who provide it.
Still, we don’t just enjoy watching them because they’re dangerous. We like them because of how they challenge the heroic characters, forcing them to grow into who they’re destined to be. It’s also important to note that these characters’ stories often end badly, reinforcing the idea that acting out on your impulses will have consequences. This, in turn, highlights the importance of kindness and courage in the face of fear.
In the end, Disney villains reveal something real about human nature. They’re a mirror, reflecting the best and worst parts of ourselves.
