Do you prefer your villains to have motives or nah?

[Dr. Narcisse]

mild spoiler.

But kinda going with the reference from "Scream".

Is it a lot scarier that way or does the motive make more of an impact for you?

The tragic kind of villain works well with me sometimes. I know its corny now, but the Penguin in Batman Returns worked for me . The villain in Skyfall, a certain M. Night movie and others.

I'm torn on this because I enjoy just seeing badass villains. Hans Gruber, Anton Chigurh Palpatine, The Joker, etc..


However, then a sequel or prequel emerges showing "how" they became evil and it just takes something away from me.


I really like what they've done in Daredevil with Kingpin.

So do you prefer to relate, connect with the villain or do you prefer them to be pure evil?

 

[Silkk]

Never saw a movie where the killer/monster didnt have a motive TBH

 

[AnonymityX1000]

I prefer trying to relate. It is more realistic, most people think they are doing the right thing or are justified in what they are doing even when it involves serious crimes.

 

[Alan Emerald]

Depends on the genre. If its more action oriented then evil for the sake of being an antagonist is cool. Even then some charisma is needed for the lack of depth.

If its a drama or reality based movie then depth to the character is necessary for me to take it serious. Don't always need a back story but at least one redeemable quality is a plus. Gray, even charcoal gray, is better than black & white.