Black Panther - Creating an Empathetic Villain

Listen to our podcast episode on Black Panther: apple.co/3jwSGZC
Killmonger is a great example of how an antagonist can challenge the hero not just through confrontation and violence, but by representing something that affects the hero emotionally.
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[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Clearly both The Joker and Killmonger are great antagonists-what are some of your favorite villains / antagonists?

[@BreakingBanter]

Lessons from the Screenplay The Dark Knight's Joker is still the GOAT

[@Kesyabasturd]

Lessons from the Screenplay Anton Chigurh from No Country For Old Men.

[@renandar4533]

Lessons from the Screenplay my favourite antagonist is Antony Hopkins's Hannibal Lecter. Brilliant writing and brilliant performance.

[@colgang1322]

Hans Lada easily

[@Elador1000]

Hans Landa from Inglourious Basterds was great.

[@battleupsaber462]

Another aspect I find interesting is how in any other movie, the heir to the throne being raised in an outside land and then returning home after many years to claim his rightful place would be the hero, not the villain. (Hell, we're getting a superhero movie later this year that is exactly that.) This movie flips that premise on its head and shows the flaws in over-correcting.

[@charlieshin9868]

BattleUp Saber huh. What movies?

[@willier47]

@@charlieshin9868 Aqua man. AKA Dude-Bro goes to Sea world.

[@hathbeenslain]

Charlie Shin the lion king?

[@karunsagar1773]

As he beat king tchalla, the throne is rightfully his via tradition. Which is why tradition was no longer the priority by the end of the film.

[@karunsagar1773]

As he beat king tchalla, the throne is rightfully his via tradition. Which is why tradition was no longer the priority by the end of the film.

[@salemsaberhagen1570]

The scene where Killmonger is reunited with his father's spirit and he doesn't cry moves me to tears. It shows just how much he has suffered, that even his father's death doesn't affect him anymore.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Such a great scene, and surprising to see in a Marvel film.

[@jzderf]

I loved the duality of that scene. T'Chala's astral plane was a beautiful African landscape. KM's was his shabby Oakland apartment in the hood where his father died. It was hard not to sympathize with KM knowing that a world like what T'Chala existed while he was relegated to a world that was cruel to him (not that it justify's KM's ultimate end goals).

[@salemsaberhagen1570]

jzderf exactly!! The contrast between those two scenes was superbly executed. It's these kind of details that make this movie awesome.

[@PauLtus_B]

Would've been far more effective if the film had him crying over his dad a lot earlier in the film, would've shown progression.

[@nickbibbs3967]

He actually does cry, check out the scene again.

[@GiantBrother]

One more thing to create an empathetic villain: a cool theme music. Killmonger probably has the most identifiable villain music in MCU.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

It is pretty awesome.

[@ayaashraf-wr8ki]

@who is annie? thank youuu

[@metallicnole4514]

It's quite a unique theme blending African tribal sounds with American urban hip hop

[@eldenwarrior489]

Yeah, him and Thanos have the most identifiable themes.

[@communityEsc]

Black Panther probably has one of the most memorable soundtracks in the MCU tbh.

[@pawacoteng]

I think the contrast with the protagonist is important too. Killmonger is raw and oozes cool. Black Panther is kind of prim/proper/bland. Killmonger is driven and super decisive. Black Panther is a bit wishy washy, and his weakness is he freezes when the stakes are high. Super smart to have Killmonger have that American urban black accent and Black Panther with the regal African accent too.

[@prayagjoy8650]

Tchalla's indecisiveness is similar to that of Hamlet's in my opinion.

[@_ddoraemon_]

BP when the stakes are high is "like an antelope in headlights"

[@prayagjoy8650]

Dara Stardust ;True Dara

[@blackjac5000]

T'Challa had a family who loved him and was thrown into the Big Chair with zero notice: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIrMYmedgM59Z68 Killmonger lived in a world of jerkitude where might makes right.

[@neegas3490]

👀

[@jonathanescobar2943]

The way you edited the black panther soundtrack into the video really sold me, you should touch on that a bit in your videos, as in how sounds also affect us making scenes that much more impactful

[@LaZodiac]

I've said this before, but will say it again. The fact that we're saying all this about a guy called "Kill Monger" is one of the biggest successes of this film.

[@uiraideszen3223]

He's so cool!

[@RLSmith-jt8qj]

I call him erik

[@knockitoffhudson3470]

*about a guy who tried to start a world wide race war. Then again you cant say Hitler wasn't a good villain.

[@rafdizon8416]

@@knockitoffhudson3470 what is Hitler's motivation? As far as I know he wasn't oppressed. Killmonger wanted to fight his race's oppressors. Hitler just want to kill other races, especially Jews.

[@knockitoffhudson3470]

@@rafdizon8416 Hitler gave the German people weaponry to fight their oppressors too. Its easy to justify things if you want to.

[@hunterbrandon7874]

Another A+ essay my friend

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thanks Hunter! And thanks for supporting the channel :)

[@hunterbrandon7874]

Lessons from the Screenplay This kind of channel deserves it

[@GoingSpacewardTV]

Those matching shots at 4:56. I see you with the clever editing!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

[@marsalien4]

The editing is usually great, but in this one it was perfect!

[@rrajeshkumar670]

@@CaesarCassius Correction! *Some sold (not) their own people. Sad how some still think of Africa as a country smh. Most African sold slaves were POWs from regional conflicts (not their own people), the rest were kidnapped by European slavers. On the other hand, several African leaders such as Abd al-Qadir actively resisted the slave trade in various parts of the continent through history.? Forms of slavery existed in Africa before Europeans arrived. Some countries in the African continent had their own systems of slavery. People were enslaved as punishment for a crime, payment for a debt or as a prisoner of war. However, African slavery was different from what was to come later. Most enslaved people were captured in battle.In some kingdoms, temporary slavery was a punishment for some crimes. In some cases, enslaved people could work to buy their freedom. Children of enslaved people did not automatically become slaves. And they didn't ship them overseas to work and die on plantations for centuries. I'm not saying African people didn't gave slavery, I'm saying Transatlantic Slavery was far more widespread and cruel than anything that had come before or after.? Nice way of dodging the fact you said "their own people". It was more complex than that. European/American demand for slaves was so high that it disrupted African trade markets. It's economics (supply and demand), at one point the demand for slaves surpassed the value of gold itself! That means African nations that didn't trade slaves couldn't get good value out of their products and were worse off for it.?

[@quesovadotas3050]

Come on, Killmonger does not hold a candle to Heath ledger's Joker.

[@oliviermitton3035]

Queso Vadotas I am not sure anyone was comparing Killmonger to Heath Ledger’s Joker but if you think so that’s fine

[@thisisridiculous337]

Your analysis of movies and characters are amazing, it's like all of the things that I grasp at but can't put into words you're able to flawlessly enunciate it's fantastic.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thank you!

[@jaysun4069]

At first i didn't see the hype why everyone liked him as a villain so much but each time i watch the movie i love it more and more.

[@zedek_]

Frankly, I still don't see it. There's a lot I liked about the film, and as far as _Marvel_ villains go, Killmonger is definitely near the top (which isn't actually saying much since most of them are completely forgettable), but when you step outside of the Marvel cinematic series... I don't see the magic. I don't see Killmonger as Heath Ledger Joker 2.0. That's why I keep looking at things like this video; to try to understand why this isn't clicking with me.

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

Zedek I do think Killmonger is a great villain, but the reason you might not feel that way is because he spent only the second half of the film as the primary antagonist-after killing Klaue. Some people felt they didn’t get enough time to invest. I think his motivations and actions speak for themselves, but for some people that level of time for the villain to connect to the plot is really important.

[@jaysun4069]

So for me the greatness of the character is in the fact that his is relatable. He is clearly a villain yet you can completely understand where his motivations are coming from and honestly there aren't many people of color that have not had or would have his same thoughts and ideas. There is a level of anger that you feel when you truly understand the history of the world that cant be really understood from the outside.

[@chrishale5213]

UltimateKyuubiFox I also think his credibility was throw into a generic exposition when the Air Force guy ran down a list of his credentials in Shuri's lab. I wish we would have seen his MIT or military background to add some weight to his danger. We see 2 heists he pulls off, but that wasn't yet supervillain level feats. We are simply told how dangerous he is. Honestly, dont know where they would have had time to include his background, but it would have been nice

[@jaysun4069]

True, they could've done a quick flashback sequence or something

[@dlwhdtjr100]

Apartment scene was most saddest villain scene in mcu.

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

To me, Black Panther reminds me of a Shakespeare play. Killmonger really stands out like a good Shakespeare villain: memorable because of his charisma and the extremes he goes into, to the point that the audience might end up rooting for him. (Think Richard III) Plus, there's a family tie, which makes things very similar to Hamlet. T'Challa, on the other hand, reminds me of "Hal" from the History of King Henry (4 and 5), a king who has to learn responsibility and put his kingship into practice. The end of this movie is very similar to how Henry V ended as well, with a peaceful time jump after the period of war. The Joker is much more modern, taking inspiration from horror movies and characters like Alex from A Clockwork Orange. He's memorable because he's scary and can't be reasoned with. Thanks for making this video!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Interesting points! Thanks for sharing :)

[@xTLtokio]

That can be say about Loki too.

[@JordanWindhamBenford]

I didn't notice that fact until you brought it up

[@agenttheater5]

I never thought of a Shakespeare character for T'Challa but a bit of me was thinking that Killmonger was almost like Edmund from 'King Lear' - outcast because he was illegitimate and wanting what he felt he had a right to (and going way too far with it). I could see Killmonger saying "Thou Nature art my goddess" even if the rest of that speech didn't apply to him.

[@tramainens]

Wow, you finally got through to me. I talked to so many people in the black diaspora, but I could not figure out why Black Panther's Killmonger angered me in a very personal way and almost ruined this incredible movie for me. As a Ugandan-American woman who lived in both countries for significant parts of my life, I am acutely aware of the unseen, unspoken 'intraracial' tension between African-Americans and black Africans. It's a lot more prevalent and insidious than most people know or expect. I experienced such nonsense in high school for not being 'black' enough but my hometown also raised me to see African-Americans as "lesser, obnoxious." After all, the kids on playground calling Africans 'African booty-scratcher' were actually not the white kids. College completely changed my life and perspective on this topic but I still took every action of Killmonger against Wakanda really personally. First off, I dealt with that 'intraracial' tension all through college and the last thing I wanted Black Panther to do was center on that tension. I just wanted a break to celebrate Mother Africa for the first time in one of my favorite film genres. Secondly, I could not figure out why until I realized Wakanda was this beautiful vision of East Africa that I desperately needed the West to see. And then comes along not the traditional white colonist to destroy it but what I perceived as a the entitled African-American (who has a monopoly on all things black). No regard for the culture, history, fragility, uniqueness but seeking only vengeance and anarchy. Not even halfway into my beautiful vision, and it was almost destroyed. The only time I cried during the movie was the moment Killmonger torched the sacred gardens; I audibly winced. That burning of those sacred gardens killed any shred of empathy I wanted to have for Killmonger. This video gave me back that empathy. I was also convicted of my view of African-Americans as entitled and insensitive. It was problematic for so many reasons and I sincerely apologize. You see, I often feel like Afrocentrism is trendy and borderline fetishized today. I fought to defend and elevate the continent for so long that I forgot African-Americans may not have my birthright and experience, but they can claim the same heritage and I must welcome them into African cultural exchange. Especially since they were disgustingly robbed of their birthright and experience over 400 years ago. Thank you so much for your hard work and analysis, Lessons from the Screenplay. Also, been following you since The Anatomy of the Obsessed Artist, keep it going! If you read till the end, God bless you haha.

[@smtucker0419]

I find your comments most interesting. You articulate well the conflict, for lack of a better word, between African Americans and people from the countries of Africa. I do think a great number of African Americans do not notice or appreciate those differences. And any perceived arrogance is probably associated with just the general American belief that we are the best, even with all our problems. Being a very large country, in a different hemisphere, most Americans do not have the experience of experiencing other countries and cultures first hand, as those who are geographically close do. I have witnessed several times the disdain that Africans seem to have for American blacks. They do not seem to identify with them as "brothers." I think this can be confusing for African Americans because, being a minority, there is always a little comfort in seeing someone else that "looks like us" in the room. It is a little safer with another "brother"in the room. I am happy that this video, and the movie, provided some enlightenment. It is always good when something that is entertaining can also be thought provoking. I too was very disturbed by the burning of the garden. It just seemed such a waste of everything.

[@FirehawkTT]

" The only time I cried during the movie was the moment Killmonger torched the sacred gardens; I audibly winced." It's interesting how people can see the same movie and get different meanings or focus on different scenes. Frankly that scene you described did not really register to me much at all. The scenes that were powerful for me were the different Killmonger vs T'Challa father scenes and their different perspectives based on how they grew up. I say this as an hispanic man. The whole African vs African-American perspective you brought up just makes me appreciate this movie even more. My wife is from Kenya and she had told me about that disconnect between Africans and black Americans.

[@user-by8pu5bx1x]

God bless you too sister

[@DemocracyManifestJr]

This was so beautifully written and simultaneously heartbreaking to boot :’(

[@empresssk]

This was hard for my heart to read but I am happy you overcame the limitations of that younger perspective. I hesitate to admit that I have only ever felt such tension coming from Africans aimed at African Americans. I still don’t understand it. I am a first generation Jamaican-American so have had a POV of both sides of the line my whole life. I never felt that African Americans were unwelcoming to their African brothers without the unspoken understanding that they were unwelcome/undesired by Africans. African Americans, more than anything, have an ongoing fascination, longing and respect for Mother Africa. I hate that they/we are met with such judgement. Broadly speaking, we are the product of this country and although imperfect, we’d like nothing but to be “claimed” by our own people. But alas, we are too often treated as the bastard children of Africa despite us being stolen from the land! HEAVY TOPIC!

[@kuldeepgogoi3766]

Some villains make heroes better. And Eric Killmonger is a perfect example for it.

[@adrianfernandez2010]

Rest in power Chadwick Boseman! Thank you for all of what you did! ✊🏼 #WakandaForever

[@TheAMaazing]

I've been watching this channel since the very first video and I'm so proud of how far you've come. I've long since thought that Killmonger was a fantastic villain, and this managed to encapsulate my thoughts perfectly. Love this man, I cannot WAIT to see more from you B)

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thank you!

[@tristanlanphere7736]

ik this is an old af comment but I can't see the appeal with this movie, terrible Cgi, dumb plot holes, terrible jokes and unlikeable characters, sure the actings good but thats the same as any other marvel movie

[@RyanLBrown9396]

RIP Chadwick

[@luuketaylor]

Another fantastic video essay, as always! And perhaps the smoothest SkillShare segue I've ever heard.

[@nsiobotetukudo3334]

Definitely.

[@andypham1451]

I think this also applies to Magneto, both Sir Ian Mckellen and Michael Fassbender's performances as them. I think Magneto is one of the prime examples of an empathetic villain who not only challenges the ideals of the opposition (Charles Xavier), but challenges the worse of humanity in general.

[@nickski007]

As a writer, I find your love for the art of character creation and depth inspiring. It has led to me trying to explore all of my characters with the same furor. Without following only the protagonist and developing them, I have now taken to developing my antagonists with same depth and consistency I would give a protagonist. So, on behalf of my burgeoning writing career, I thank you.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Amazing! That's so awesome to hear! Keep going!

[@jjsmith706]

Every screenwriting class should have the TDK video as required viewing. That was the first LFTS video I saw, and I've been hooked ever since. Michael is phenomenal.

[@lelanddyer9461]

You are my favorite Subscription and you continually prove that time and time again.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Wow. Thank you so much, that means a lot :)

[@lelanddyer9461]

Lessons from the Screenplay I learn a lot from your work when I write screenplays myself. I'm able to identify conflict and when and where to use types of conflict to push my characters. Your work inspires me to dig into my stories deeper to find where the real story is. Thank you and don't stop making these videos.

[@MicoDossun]

I think one of the biggest points they got across with Killmonger is that Killmonger is Nakia's perspective but poisoned by American militaristic perspective. Wakanda very strongly expresses that women should be seen as strong and as equal as men. Many of T'challa's shortcomings in the movie are solved by listening to the important women in his life. Then you go to Killmonger who has unfairly been corrupted by a society that doesn't value the voices of women. His idea of a perfect utopia for black people does not include women (we see this cause a lot of violence he inflicts in the movie is towards women). Look at how proud Everett Ross is in the soldier he built and then we see him using the tactics he learned in war on Wakanda. I think Killmonger best expresses the myth of post-colonialism and the reminder of how deep the claws are still dug into people and that's what makes his mostly sympathetic and understandable perspective go off a little. Also damn if Sterling K Brown isn't fantastic even with like two scenes to work with.

[@smtucker0419]

Interesting you should say that. I love Sterling K Brown and I did not think he was great in this. Maybe it was the role he was given, but it felt just so so to me.

[@MicoDossun]

smtucker0419 I mean it might just be that marvel acting in general tends to just be serviceable but never anything standout. So maybe it wasn’t spectacular in a vacuum but there was a lot more subtlety in the emotion in his face than I’m used to seeing in a marvel movie.

[@smtucker0419]

Yes I agree the emotion in his face was profound. I felt like he wasn't really nailing the accent thing - which I think would be a very hard thing to do and am always impressed how actors can seem to turn accents on and off.

[@heirhead413]

I think you are reading way too much into it. Killmonger inflicts a lot of violence towards women because in Wakanda, lots of women are in power, and directly oppose him, except for that one white lady he got mad at when we first see him in action. Switch all the women that Killmonger attacks with men, and nothing about the movie or Killmonger's character changes, except now people would complain that there aren't enough women in the movie. Also, stop perpetrating that America doesn't care about women. It's not true. Plus, Killmonger gained his perspective from his father's death and living in poor black communities, everything he does afterward, like joining the military, was in service of the goal of his perspective. So, if he was going learn to treat women like you say he did, it would have been from black communities, but I don't think you want to argue for.

[@TheRealKLT]

He murders his girlfriend, too. In fact, the only character(s) he kills in the entire movie that isn't a woman is Zuri (and arguably Klaw, though we never see him die). If you think that's unintentional, I dunno what to tell you. Even if you read it only so deep that he's T'Challa's foil in how they treat the women around them, it's still purposeful. And you're assuming the OP doesn't want to make that argument about black communities, but they're very clearly speaking about post-colonialism, which is inherently *about* black communities, so that's a bad assumption.

[@victorcoyenn]

Skillshare ad fits perfectly.

[@PHlophe]

don't it though ?

[@KittenNippl3s]

This was such a refreshing movie in the whole Marvel cinematic universe. Michael B. absolutely killed it with his role, It was the first time in a while I felt something I could relate to in the "villain." Great video Michael, keep up the good work and take care!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Agreed!

[@ElDarkLobo]

I just showed your Video about the Joker in my script writing class as part of a presentation on writing an antagonist. Good thing that I'm still writing the handouts, so that I can add this to my recommendations. Even on of the question was how we can create more sympathetic antagonists. Now I can just show than this^^ I really love your videos and the way you analyse this story in a easy to understand fashion. Thank you for your hard work.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

That's awesome! I'm glad to hear the videos are so useful :)

[@bacarlson991]

The comment from Joe Robert Cole (co-writer of Black Panther), is pure genius and I absolutely love it: "Sometimes it's how far you take things that makes you a villain, and not necessarily the perspective". This really helps define the great modern villains such as Heath Ledger's Joker, Thanos and Killmonger.

[@KaSophie]

Uwaaa! Just by watching this essay my blood was rushing again with enthusiasm for Black Panther. Killmonger grew yearning and dreaming about Wakanda and his father always thought that he would eventually go back - it's incredible how this feeling resonates not only with African Americans but with anyone whose roots have been transplanted to another country/culture. Thank you for rekindling our love for Black Panther Michael! Wakanda Forever!!!

[@jjsmith706]

Oh, wow. LFTS doing Killmonger? If this is half as good as the one about TDK's Joker, it's gonna be worth the wait to watch it tonight on the big TV.

[@cwhit2575]

Howard Beale too bad the movie wasnt even 1/5th as good as the dark night.

[@jjsmith706]

O...K..? Thanks for your opinion, I guess.

[@jxy_krishnan]

Howard Beale Nah! Imo joker was wayy better. This villain is cliche af

[@distractedkenzo4523]

JJ Smith “the big tv” sounds like something I would say as a kid when I’m excited about watching something in the living room instead of my 13” in my room. 😂

[@BreakingBanter]

Seems like a good place to remind people that calling a movie "overrated" isn't a way of saying you don't like something, it's a way of saying your don't like how much *other people* like something. Y'all gotta stop using that word.

[@iluvearth99]

Breaking Banter +

[@lingeringsnowleaf3829]

Mac _ Western societies and the internet have pushed individualism too far that every edge lords think the worlds revolve around them and their OPINIONS has as much weight as others and they have the god given right to express them blindly. The word overrated is just an easy way to disagree with the mass for the sake of it. People need to understand that freedom of speach is not equal to I can say whatever i want and opinions are not some random shits to spill out. This sort of mindset is dangerous because its lead to more polarizing ideas, conflicts and extremism without a middle ground, a trend we are seeing in western polictics and societies.

[@kthemaster1999]

Malcador the Sigillite Ok liberal

[@smtucker0419]

Yep. You made his point for him

[@PauLtus_B]

It's generally very well liked so calling it overrated can be completely justified if you don't think it's any good.

[@pratikmantri2757]

Hans Landa, Anton chigurh and Norman Bates were some of the most memorable villains for me.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Three of the best.

[@dawngrrrl]

Great choices!

[@VortekShow]

I second this, Killmonger doesn't even come remotely close. Also add John Doe ;)

[@Neo-jd1np]

Pratik Mantri Norman Bates didn’t really feel like the villain until the end though. He felt more like a main character after the girl died.

[@VikrantPatankar13]

Hands down. Best villain in the MCU.

[@VikrantPatankar13]

Yup! Thanks to Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole

[@tristanlanphere7736]

Ik its an old post but I am really trying to like this movie buts its just so terrible to me, tell me whats so good about it

[@VikrantPatankar13]

@@tristanlanphere7736 it's not an exceptional film, tho it's better than its peers in some aspects like leaving a cultural impact and all

[@tristanlanphere7736]

@@VikrantPatankar13 oh fair enough

[@metfan4l]

I was surprised how good this movie was, it wasn't perfect by any means but still very enjoyable to watch. Great video!

[@Badmunky64]

It certainly came closer to living up to the immense hype better than Wonder Woman did.

[@distractedkenzo4523]

Lol surprised

[@nicolasuribe262]

WAKANDA FOREVER R.I.P Chadwick Boseman

[@everytimesummertime]

ive seen black panther 3 times but how did this still get me in the feels??????? amazing work, as always!!

[@triplflip900]

I've only watched this movie once, but this video did a great job of both giving a thorough refresher of every impactful moment Killmonger had in the movie and doing a great analysis of why his character is so fantastic. Amazing content from LFTS.

[@claudis.4015]

The last line combined with the music in the background gave me goosbumps. Great video. As always.

[@kitkatcoz]

I write novels and your well thought out and presented lessons have helped me develop my own characters more than any books or classes I've taken. I always eagerly await your next presentation. You never fail to teach me how to grow as a writer. Thank you

[@littlemrpinkness295]

What a positive message for all of us to hear. I've never seen this movie, as I am elderly, disabled, broke, and live in supportive living. I am in the process of signing up for home delivery from my local library. I will be able to borrow DVD's from them, and I think one of the first ones I want to borrow is Black Panther. It sounds like not just an action movie, but a film with heart and brain and soul. I love the way this said so many things about this country. Thanks for making this piece, it made me think, it made me cry.

[@TheCrazyhumans]

While the Joker and Batman fought for the soul of Gotham, Killmonger and T'challa fought for the soul of Wakanda.

[@eliasfigarzon9813]

TheCrazyhumans damn dude that's deep

[@PauLtus_B]

...no Killmonger and T'Challa simply fought over Wakanda.

[@TheBasaltHorogium]

Killmonger and T'Challa literally fought over Wakanda, not the people. Joker and Batman had to prove their opposite points by questioning how much humanity is left in the people of Gotham.

[@PauLtus_B]

+TheBasaltHorogium That's pretty much it. For Batman and the Joker it's about proving something considering humanity. Killmonger isn't really interested in anything beyond taking something. Which is principally fine, if we got more to see of his character.

[@worthlessworms]

I have literally spent the last several months talking to everyone that watches Black Panther with me--from my mom to my English professor--about how powerful Killmonger's character and the film's writing are because of the way it subverts your expectations of others. I'm so happy to finally get this video from you!

[@Tousicle]

Seriously, KZbin? I had to press refresh on my homepage for LFTS to pop on my feed even though it was posted 16 mins ago? You’re killing me!!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Ughhhh not ideal, KZbin.

[@NolanDean]

Great video once again Michael! I’m actually currently working on a rewrite of a middle grade novel where I’m planning for the relationship between the hero and the villain to be the selling point. The hero is a little girl who loves stories, and wishes for her favourite hero to come to life as she goes on an adventure. However, things change once her belief that all heroes are good people is tested, and she discovers the hidden dark side of the character she looked up to, and become the hero within herself to overcome this. This video was a massive help in me redesigning how a villain can push a hero, and vice versa. Thanks again for making such a thoughtful video. Peace.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

That sounds like a great story! Best of luck with it!

[@TheBigGiggleFruit]

Pleeeeease do a video on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

This will happen.

[@losalfajoresok]

I love you Michael, more and more XD

[@TheBigGiggleFruit]

Oh my gosh, I'm such a fan, thank you!

[@marvluebke]

10/10 music

[@epmcgill8301]

Incredible, Michael! Thank you.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thanks E P!

[@waxh9679]

this was an amazing video! i always love when you review movies with diverse production crews and casts, especially if those films seemingly came out of left field with their subject matter. personally, i would love to see your take on an animated movie's script such as the Prince of Egypt or Spirited Away

[@elevate07]

Another thing that was great about Killmonger links back to Civil War. T'Challa remarks that Colonel Zemo has been consumed by revenge and that he would not let it consume him. Killmonger is what could have happened if T'Challa went the other way on his decision. Because Erik Killmonger is a character that wants revenge on an entire race. It would have never been enough if Killmonger became King. What if T'Challa killed Zemo that day? Would he have moved on to the remainder of Hydra? SHIELD operations like Cap who were unwittingly working for Hydra at the time? Bucky? Where do you stop? T'Challa recognized this while Killmonger didn't. But he still didn't have an ideology of his own to hold himself up with, which is why this movie was necessary. Fantastic work.

[@liamdawson6129]

I just noticed you background colour goes perfect with with this movies colour scheme. And now I can't get Killmogers theme outta' my head. Oh, great video, too!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Yeah! I loved the colors in this film...purple being my favorite color.

[@anjetto1]

Also, I love that a movie that at it's heart is a movie about interracial unity and cooperation made so many people scream that it was antiwhite.

[@monkeydude9192]

anjetto1 Might be because the film does treat Killmonger as empathetic. It doesn’t exactly disagree with his (anti white) message, just with his method.

[@1st_Hassan]

sheikaboudi "Wakanda will no longer watch from the shadows. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one, single tribe." By the end, this film clearly disagrees with Killmonger's anti-white message.

[@monkeydude9192]

Like I said, it definitely disagrees with Killmonger's proposed solution, but I wouldn't say the film clearly disagrees with his message. It certainly paints him as someone justified in their anger, even if it doesn't agree with his extremism. This is not to say the the film is anti-white.

[@anjetto1]

sheikaboudi his anger is totally justified. Just not his beliefs or methods. And his anger is almost totally focused on wakanda itself. His ancestral home. That is what tchalla agrees with at the end. That they were wrong too. But man. The amount of white people I had screaming at me, in person, about this movie after it came out would've been heart breaking if I hadn't seen it coming.

[@monkeydude9192]

anjetto1 I’m going to have to disagree with the suggestion that most of his anger was at Wakanda when his plan was literally to murder/enslave all white people. Yes, he was angry at Wakanda for not intervening, but the impetus and focus of the majority of his anger is a white people. Also, not clue where you’re at, but all I saw was white people sitting next to black people (some dressed in African garb), and all enjoying what was ultimately an entertaining movie (much more so than the complete drags Thor: Ragnorok and Infinity War).

[@jeffanderson9938]

Do an episode on Infinity War.

[@sketchultimatum]

He really should. Pathos made Thanos an equally compelling antagonist.

[@anajuliazanatto8608]

ya this movie was great, but can we please stop to appreciate the editing in this video... simply amazing!!

[@theguythatmakesyoumad3834]

*"Bury me in the ocean, with my ancestors that jumped from the ships, because they knew death was better than bondage."*

[@oddjob914]

Vincent from Collateral is one of my favorite villains. Add Hal 9000 and Hans Gruber to that list.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Good ones!

[@brotherdandy]

You are doing fantastic work. Never stop man.

[@baddlaziiboii9545]

IMO, I really love villains so much than heroes, and the thing that separates them from being a "hero" is their hatred. Philosophy is on point and makes much more sense and their will is unbreakable. Rest in Peace, Chadwick.

[@diudalidion1744]

As always amazing! :) when I see your videos I try to re watch the movie and is if I’m watching a new movie completely :) thank you for these videos :) greetings from Mexico!!!!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thank you!

[@sandrascott8649]

Bravo, Michael! Great analysis as usual! Your take on interesting antagonists is on spot. Knowing their motivation, understanding their back story gives the protagonist, as well as the story itself, a well-roundedness that is needed for a satisfying movie. Case-in-point: Breaking Bad. Being let in on the evolution of Walter White from protagonist to antagonist was brilliant, mind-blowing and breathtakingly. It created a masterpiece, just as in Black Panther. Well-done, Michael.

[@finishstrongmindset]

Well said Sandra! I can't wait to see your stories be reviewed on channels like this! :)

[@sandrascott8649]

Mike Hunter - Thanks, MH! :)

[@prasannasellathurai1909]

We love you Michael!! Awesome job as always

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thanks Prasanna!

[@Veragoot]

Excellent breakdown for an excellent movie! I'm glad my favorite scene from any Marvel movie got a mention here, when you get to see Killmonger's "inner child" as you put it. That scene is so nuanced for a Marvel movie it threw me for a loop. Personally, I thought that his inner child being shown was a visualization of how the other person in this scene saw him, and by the end of the conversation, his inner child has reverted to reflect a change in how that person sees him now. No longer as the child, but as Killmonger. Goddamn I love this movie.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Agreed! Affected me in a much more real way than any Marvel movie.

[@akashi3065]

I've been waiting M

[@emigrant1510]

I didn't love Black Panther, but I always love LFTS.

[@julietteceline]

Great job! Always look forward to your videos!

[@aliciagarliepp7330]

Hell yeah! Always so excited for a new video from lessons from the screenplay!!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

:)

[@barrymoton1]

AHHHHHH!!!! This was so wonderful!!!!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thanks Barry!

[@treacle913]

I love it.

[@RodrigoRodrigues-yy9zy]

Extremely awesome video, as always. Congrats!

[@vinaypatil9395]

Absolutely love how in TDK there's a shot of Joker shot upside down (total 360)in the very end while BP also has Kilmonger sitting on the throne which is also shot in an upside down manner

[@Elementra31]

Great video as usual! I have a request: I recently did a re-watch of "Up In The Air" and fell in love with it. Can you do a video about the Juxtaposition of Character's personal philosophy vs their work ideology? I think it would make for a interesting topic.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

I *love* that movie! That's been on my list of things to do for a long time.

[@Elementra31]

Please do.

[@pandinagasemapetilon3723]

Genial amigo,con estos vídeos he aprendido mucho sobre cómo escribir,son de lo mejor, enserio Podrías ver el guión de taxi driver?

[@JamesHealeyTX]

I've watched a lot of your videos and enjoyed all of them, but this one is one of your best!

[@theRileyScott]

Love your channel! Always excited to see you upload

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thanks!

[@Atlasfilms08]

I liked the concept of Killmonger a lot better than the execution. I felt they threw in needless unmotivated villain moments that undercut the empathy they were trying to create for him like when he's choking old ladies or killing his girlfriend. It almost seemed like the creators were afraid they were making Killmonger TOO empathetic so they added these over the top moments that made him less human and more cartoony. Even without those scenes there was enough there for us to know Killmonger was going too far. Another, more subjective factor, is I didn't really get into Michael B Jordan's performance. I generally like him but this performance felt kind of one note for me. Lots of yelling and scowling and pouting. I honestly wish Sterling K Brown had been cast as Killmonger as he steals the film with the couple of scenes he's in and could have brought even more depth to the villain.

[@jjj7790]

I really liked Michael B Jordan's performance, especially the yelling, scowling, and pouting, because of how he is given a character who is basically a Bond villain (a highly intelligent covert operative/war strategist who overthrows countries) and played it as aggressively Urban-Black-American as possible. It would've been incredibly easy to make the character posh, stoic, and upper-class, stereotypes commonly associated with every crown-stealing British bad guy, but they chose not to.

[@PauLtus_B]

"The movie was based on marvel comics so of course he's cartoony." It isn't a cartoony film though. Guardians of the Galaxy is, Black Panther takes itself a whole lot more serious.

[@thelittleredhairedgirlfrom6527]

I loved the scene where he killed his girlfriend because I hate villain fangirls so much. Aside from that, I think the point of that scene was to show just how ruthless he is, how he'll kill literally anyone to get to his throne.

[@zutrue]

Atlas Films I totally disagree with your assessment. There were no over the top Killmonger moments. Sterling Brown was sterling Brown! Always excellent, but to say he stole the film is not only untrue but also an insult to a stellar cast and true ensemble effort. As a filmmaker I have seen this film over 10 time and ALWAYS find a new dimension. There are flaws, but the are few. Over all this was wonderously imagined and executed production. Mr. Cooglar and his creative team knock it out of the park and into legend.

[@PauLtus_B]

+The little red haired girl from across the street Doing stuff like that is pretty standard at this point. It also doesn't help that they just do not have an established relationship.

[@Bamsougher]

New video, feelsgoodman clap

[@KameronMcQueen]

Videos only getting better and better!

[@tiffanypersaud3518]

Such depth in your videos always. I could not put into words why I prefer stories to have villains with background and relatability. You have helped me realize why.

[@TimmyStreams]

One thing that really impressed me about Killmonger is that he doesn't cheat. In Warrior Falls it would have been so easy to show a bit where he takes some unfair advantage to gain victory, but NOPE. He wins it, fair and square.

[@YouFightLikeACow]

Ending gave me chills. Great works as always. TDK is far better than BP, although the villains are equally mesmerizing.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thanks Victor! TDK is magic that I don't think can ever be purposefully surpassed.

[@anjetto1]

I'm a huge black panther fan but I do still feel like I enjoyed dk more as a film, it was a better crafted piece overall but I think I sort more enjoyed the experience of bp more. It moved me, had me more emotionally invested than dk did. Dk had the advantage of sort of coming out of nowhere. A juggernaught no one expected or could've foreseen where as bp was 19 movies into this marvel thing and I am sort of fatigued by it. I am curious to know how we would view it if Michael b Jordan had died just before it's release a la heath. Just out of morbid curiosity

[@vibe7416]

gerizzyYMcrew it is tho. Tdk is on another level. Bp is better than the other two for sure

[@craigjtan]

I love this movie and I love your analysis. Another great video, great work! P.S. you can tell just how great a movie is by the fact that even in a KZbin video about that movie, you still end up getting teary-eyed

[@ramonmonteiro4937]

Brilliant and spot-on, as usual!

[@MindNow]

Just by watching this summary, I was sooo emotionally attached to the story lol. I haven't watched the black panther yet, but it definitely sounds very interesting! Thank you for breaking it down! Winny out...for now 😉

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

I hope you enjoy!

[@boringboi3092]

I was surprised to not see you use the screenplay at all in this video. Greatly structured video but your use of screenplay is what separates you from other video essay makers.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Many films don't make their screenplays available publicly. Regardless, I still think useful storytelling information can be gleaned from the final product.

[@boringboi3092]

Lessons from the Screenplay That makes sense. Your point was well said nevertheless.

[@MrAerotrumpet]

Fantastic as always! I can't wait for the next one!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thanks!

[@hungryasabear]

Your videos are always amazing, thanks for making them!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thank you!

[@mbayekama999]

Rip chawicke boseman 😭😭🙏🏿

[@hugo59208]

7:58 that was smooth lol

[@metromafiabigson]

Aaayyyyeeeee i absolutely love a Lessons video!!!

[@marcelarossi8737]

Your videos have changed the way I watch movies, I feel like I understand movies so much better now! Thanks for the great content

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Wow, thanks Marcela, that's awesome to hear!

[@LawofCinema]

Your editing doesn't get enough props. So have some props!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Whoa, look at these props! Thank you :P

[@siddharthkhirwar7192]

Both Killmonger and Joker were by far the best parts of Black Panther and the Dark Knight respectively .

[@tristanlanphere7736]

ik its an old post but tell me whats so good about black panther

[@EmperorTChalla]

THIS IS WHY THIS MOVIE IS SO FING AMAZING! THERE ARE LEVELS TO THIS FILM! I can't wait for the sequel!

[@henryskycutterstudios9433]

Please make more of these, I learn so much everytime! Don't Stop!

[@Hoshikage869]

This movie gets to me in such an emotional level, I couldn't even watch this vid without tears.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Everyone loves Killmonger's last line (which is fantastic), but for me his line about "a kid from Oakland running around believing in fairy tales" is what gets me. Because this movie gives those same kids a vision of Wakanda and what the world could be, lets them see themselves on screen in such powerful ways. It's like this movie is the thing Erik was missing as a kid.

[@qtarokujo3694]

do an analysis on *INFINITY WAR* once it comes out!!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

This will most likely happen.

[@berteeek]

YAAAAAS!!!

[@muizzkhan2426]

I just knew this would relate to your joker dark knight analysis. Keep up the great work.

[@davidtorresortun6092]

This is another masterful episode. Thank you so much!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@BreakingBanter]

As much as I froth this movie and it's villain, there seems to be this continued trend in blockbusters to either have a villain that's either an understandable, empathetic dark mirror of the hero or just some useless "I want to end the world for reasons" dumpster fire. I miss the genuinely nasty villains that we can't understand like TDKs Joker, Hannibal Lecter, Hans Landa, Anton Chigurh, Calvin Candie, etc. Just give us more of those genuinely bad dudes with no redeeming qualities. We can handle it.

[@geekcultureandmovieLover]

Same. I really miss the pure evil villains in cinema. Hopefully we can see some of them in the future.

[@Kesyabasturd]

Breaking Banter Unrelated but that's why I like All For One from My Hero Academia, he's such a bastard. We need more villains like that in movies.

[@jaybook1281]

Breaking Banter exactly man I was saying the same thing and everyone says that type of villain is “outdated” or it can’t be good. But I’m just like huh? The most iconic villains are the ones who can’t be understood or just purely evil monsters

[@geekcultureandmovieLover]

+Half-Finis Sometimes you don't really need to give much motivations. The secret lies in how much sinister and evil the villain is to be memorable and great.

[@jaybook1281]

Half_Finis Well motivation is only one part of writing a character.

[@johnhanson5527]

I felt killmonger saved the movie for me. The movie felt dry. If they chose to lessen the characters he interacted with it wouldn’t feel like a philosophical mess. It’s only 2 hours and it feels like if they spent longer with it, worked on the dialogue, and had better cinematography it would’ve been easier for me to see why people love it. Instead it felt like it really was a cookie cutter marvel movie in a lot of ways. That said I love your take on this and I’m so glad you’re on here! You challenge my thoughts on movies I love and hate! I love it!

[@jjsmith706]

A great antagonist can make or break any movie. I feel that you could even have a passive protagonist, but a strong villain can more than make up for it.

[@johnhanson5527]

Howard Beale I don’t feel the same way. If you make an antagonist that’s complex and worth analyzing then their counter needs to be just as compelling. That’s why the dark knight works. Or no country for old men. It’s about a certain philosophy or ideology set in principle and understand that needs to be challenged by something just as strong. It’s why the dark knight and the killing joke were great comic books. Dark knight focuses on how Batman truly has to find a way to not break his principles while also being just and killing joke shows how the joker believes that chaos and insanity are inevitable and that all it takes is one bad day. Nolan most definitely read both of these and put them together to make his movie which really is a character study on the two character. Ryan Coogler did not show that same level of care. T’Challa is not really supposed to be as dry as this character is and really as a superhero has values that are to be strived. That said the source material for him to be honest can be one dimensional a good amount of time. It felt like since T’Challa didn’t really choose a philosophy to cling to rather being a Mary Sue and choosing his own he didn’t develop as a character. T’Challa father was way more interesting since as a king he made decisions he was not proud of and had to live with for the rest of his life. He never looked back and rather because of having to choose between his brother and country it effected him enough to make sure no one ever knew what Wakanda really was. He saw the outside as a negative influence on his brother that ultimately led to the betrayal. That level of complexity is undermined by how short the movie is and how the dialogue is very lackluster. It felt like they were trying to push a point through rather than it being cohesively accepted in its world.

[@dannyfratina3901]

I agree. I've watched 4-5 Marvel films from the last decade and even the "good" ones are super boring and forgettable. Black Panther was no exception, but Kilmonger was extremely interesting, and it felt like the film was more about him than about BP. BP is probably my favorite Marvel film because of Kilmonger, who, like you said, saved the film.

[@johnhanson5527]

Danny Fratina I’m curious have you seen guardians? If so what were your thoughts?

[@dannyfratina3901]

Guardians was kind of fun but ultimately felt too empty. I can't even remember who the villain was. I don't remember the plot. The main actors were charming and their banter was fun, but not fun enough for me to go watch the 2nd film, which I didn't even know came out until months later. It's weird, when I was a kid, if you told me that Marvel would have a ton of movies that would be big budget, all connected, etc etc, I would have died. But now, these movies are all just so... underwhelming.

[@leonfairclothiv]

Really enjoyed watching and listening to this. Thank you

[@mutiarapasha8630]

Hey i don't know if you see this or not but i just want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THIS CHANNEL, I LOVE IT SO MUCH AND I GLAD TO FINDING IT