How to Write a Complex Villain

How to write a complex villain - one who's believable, worthy of your hero, and keep readers turning pages.
This video discusses:
[1:02] Villain vs. Antivillain
[2:30] Writing a Strong Villain
[3:50] 4 Types of Complex Villains
[3:56] 1. Noble
[4:23] 2. Pitiable
[4:58] 3. Well-Meaning
[5:28] 4. Villain in Name Only
[6:07] 5 Tips to Creating an Effective Villain
[6:24] 1. Have a realistic and sympathetic backstory
[6:58] 2. Have strong motivations
[7:43] 3. Exhibit power
[8:13] 4. Force your protagonist to make difficult decisions
[8:53] 5. Cause the protagonist to grow
[9:19] Start Writing Better Villains
Click here for related videos and resources:
How to Create a Powerful Character Arc
How to Write A Novel: My Proven 12 Step Process
15 Characteristics of a Strong Villain (checklist)
What is an Antihero? How to Write an Unconventional Protagonist
Jerry Jenkins is the author of over 200 books, including 21 New York Times bestsellers. He’s passionate about helping writers grow to their full potential and have the best chance to see their writing published. Browse his archive of advice pulled from his nearly 50 years as a writer, editor, and publisher at www.jerryjenkins.com.
Become part of a community of writers like you on Jerry’s Facebook page: / jerry.b.jenkins
Need more help developing your characters? Check out Jerry's free Character Arc Worksheet! leveragecreative.lpages.co/ch...

[@DTHRocket]

I recently discovered that you're not done crafting your villain until you can switch and tell your story from the villain's perspective and have the protag be the villain. (But then switch back because the villain really is the bad guy)

[@odojang]

Every person is the hero of his or her own story. That applies most of all to bad persons in real life; thus, the key to beleivable antagonists in fiction. That's what I get from your insightful analysis. Thanks. This will improve my writing a lot.

[@IntergaIactico]

I was honestly looking for this, scary that you made it. Thanks Jerry.

[@b.a.norman1622]

Well-explained, Jerry. As I think back to my first book, my villain was basically a cardboard cut-out with a "Hello my name is 'bad guy'" label on his chest. As I revise for the next edition, I will add a background story to make my villain more relatable and his actions understandable.

[@aaronvt9980]

I'm far less advanced in the craft, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this isn't always true. Freddy Kreuger, Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, the Joker, all very effective villains. They're all primal, elemental evil. I know my examples are limited to horror movies and a comic book, but a villain doesn't always need to be humanized to be effective. To be clear, I'm not saying that complex villains are bad in any way, I'm just saying they're not the only way to go.

[@SilverXT]

All of those are complex. Think of WHY they became evil. Joker's one bad day is a perfect example.

[@ManiKais]

Darth Vader worked even before we understood his complexities and backstory. I kind of liked him better that way. But only because the prequels sucked.

[@MrWayout55]

I thank God I found you on KZbin, every time I watch a new video. I'm writing my first novel....."The CC Killer"

[@PureMagma]

You are always spot-on with your advice and explanations. Thank you for reaching out to motivate and elevate other writers! 🔥🎉💞

[@DanpaRojo]

Gracias por tu visión! Me sentía atrapado pero con tu frase "haz un villano con el que te gustaría ser amigo" se resolvió todo

[@lucindamare]

Yes, awesome tips Jerry. I think I did about half off that while I was writing when I realised I needed to give him a background story and not make him 'disgusting'. Up to now he has a motivation, he's handsome and smart. Getting him and my main character on the same level is the hardest part 😅

[@ronaldcruickshank3545]

Jerry - your insights are helpful to me.I had given my villian a backstory so readers will understand his motivations but hadn't made him likeable enough... doing the re-write starting today. Thank you.

[@djcooper2802]

I went in search of one video and have watched a number of yours. This made my mind wander into books and shows where the villain was gripping and made me ask why, which you answered here. This is some of the best videos on the craft of writing I've seen yet. Thank you so much for them.

[@theagency8284]

Thank you for doing this and the email! Not just for the subject, but it’s great to hear about different story elements. Great work!

[@ScreamGeek]

Thank you so much! I’m working on a book and this villain advice was amazing! I’m trying to make a very complex villain so this really helped!

[@urspecial2me]

A good teacher makes their students think. A great teacher inspires others to apply the teaching. You have done both my friend! I so appreciate you! As you spoke I created a villain for my protagonist. Thank you!

[@robmartin9782]

Thank you Mr. Jenkins! I learned a lot from you already and your videos ALWAYS motivate me to keep writing and to keep working on my skills as a writer.

[@dianea2400]

Thank you so much for this video. It has helped me organize a complex villan in a complex story. I will have to rewatch this video again, and may be third time. It is a great help because of your insight into why the complex villan works so well. Thank you again.

[@carltonholdenwriter4140]

Outstanding pointers. You have taught me a great deal about polished, deep writing. Thank you, Jerry

[@silvermoon9186]

I subscribed in less than 2 minutes into the video. this is the kind of video I've been searching for. Thank you so Much!

[@MrQuantitySquare]

Yay! Another video, let's go... Thank you for this!

[@schuurms]

Thanks very much, Jerry! Love your emails, tips, and videos!

[@ClefairyFairySnowflake]

This video was very helpful! Thank you for making it! Have a great day! And take care!

[@reinettevisser]

The advice you give is so golden, I feel I should be paying for it. Thank you!

[@itsyamina]

Im learning english to write a book

[@atheistapostate7019]

I’m loving these videos. I’m a seat of my pants writer starting off. I enjoy the by the seat of your pants approach because once I write what I want to do, I can go back and fill in blanks that could be better and add more to the story

[@samer.abandeh]

Amazing, interesting and helpful as usual. Keep the videos coming plz 🙏

[@slipton6493]

As you were speaking, it came to mind that the character Mitch Leary played by John Malkovich was a very complex villain. Thanks for your generous sharing!

[@davidholmgren659]

A villain with personality and brains,, no matter how twisted and tormented. LOVE IT! Great video.

[@dpatoy4703]

You’re the best Jerry! Thank you once again for some helpful tips.

[@zyiezyie]

While what you say is indeed mostly true, I would argue that a good villain does not always have to be likable in any way. Look at a character like Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones, he was absolutely vile. Beating, Torturing and disfiguring people for his own personal pleasure. He's sadistic, cruel and does not care at all about anyone else, nor does he care about his role as a king or a husband. He blames others for every one of his own faults. He's a character with no redeemable qualities at all, and while the Game of Thrones tv show was still airing, he was probably one of the most hated villains ever created. He does not do things because he thinks they are right, but simply because he wants to. He seems more than aware that much of what he does is very wrong, and wouldn't go over well if others knew about it. He hides it, he shifts the blame on others etc. When he was finally murdered, fans genuinely rejoiced over his demise. It felt good to watch this abhorrent character die, so suddenly and unexpectedly, and in such a seemingly agonizing way. He was a villain whom no one really could say a single positive thing about, a villian everyone loved to hate, and everyone loved watching him die. I would argue that he was an amazing villain, because it was a character that inspired strong emotions in the readers and the viewers of the show, a character more hated than any I have ever come across before or since, and because it was believable that a product of incest, who's extremely spoiled and doted on, and who's born a psychopath/sociopath, could turn out the way Joffrey did. He is believable, which is one of your points, I'll give you that. But there's nothing good in that boy, not in the tv show and not in the books, yet he is indeed an amazing villain.

[@barbarellamaclure8382]

Thank you Jerry, you've got such a lovely voice! Your videos are so helpful, I have liked, left a comment and shared all because you've helped me so much. Watching from New Zealand.

[@landonpraught9170]

Thanks Jerry I love your books this was a great help I am getting ready to do my next novel.

[@kennyharris91]

I needed this so bad! Thank you.

[@hawksnestvision]

thank you Jerry! very helpful and clear.

[@miraculousmari3518]

Thank you so much for all your knowledge Mr. Jenkins. It has been so incredibly helpful to me. God bless you!❤

[@111butterscotch]

Thank you Jerry!This was so very helpful!

[@anoakenstaff]

This is amazing, thank you!

[@mirandayeoh8606]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences. Being a teacher-researcher, I used to think I should write nonfiction. But you give me confidence to write more than nonfiction! Greetings and thanks from Penang (UTC+8).

[@Pualn08]

Good stuff. Thanks for posting.

[@TheOppositeIsTrueBook]

So many gems. Thanks Jerry!

[@Priscilla_Bettis]

Excellent information, thank you! Villiains are normally fun but difficult to write.

[@nn-db4fw]

Awsome, thanks for the advices and tips!

[@maxamaxip129]

Thank you for this goldmine

[@aphroditlima2330]

Thank you! This was helpful

[@writingsbykosborne]

This was great. I've been trying to figure out how to add more dimension to a villian, without slapping the reading in the face with what smuck he is. Thank you.

[@tylerpettit921]

@Jerry Jenkins I am a blossoming novel author with 3/half short novels under my belt. I believe by accident, I have done half of the things that you advice on doing. 3 of my novels have a actual antagonist, which include: A brother who gets more powerful after his betrayal and his death, and hunts the rest of his brother's eventual bloodline. A little girl who passed away from unexplained illnesses too young, and strangely revives to revolt against god after death. And a Japanese yokai rabbit, who just wanted to play, and "invites her friends," to come and play.

[@al2642]

Thanks for your help, Jerry!

[@cigarboxing687]

Thank you I value your advice. This is very helpful! Seeing the protagonist in the villain is key!

[@tlwilson32]

Thank you for your wonderful videos Jerry, you are an inspiration. :)

[@mttasadi4034]

What an amazing video. Thank you, Jerry.

[@rose-mariemuller6704]

Thank you!! Very helpful 😊

[@joycreations6764]

Your tips are such powerful that when I listen to them, i automatically inherited a villain arc in me 😭🦇💓

[@russellmarvin1163]

I really do like and understand how to create an excellent villain. Your advice is right on what I need to do.

[@j.v.7179]

Great stuff!

[@LaraMalbran]

Loved It!

[@manggaetteok8902]

so majority of us came here because we all are struggling haha. nice video, helped to understand how to write a villain story.

[@terrydaniels9126]

Thanks Jerry like. You're view's on well thought out subject

[@franklynagbebaku2971]

Thanks so much for your words.

[@e.s.2559]

Thank you very, very much for your content.

[@earthwisescott]

Good stuff, thanks!

[@valkyienstudio]

I found this inspiring, Thank you!

[@SaywhatIwant2]

For the novel im writing i decided to make my villain a cunning, power hungry, fearless villian. The twist i had is near the end of the book, he attempts to "get into" the main characters head. Instead of the sidekick coming over saying "dont let him get to you" , ending with the villain being spared. I decided that the sidekick isn't there, and that the protagonist does in fact exact his revenge, but really the villain won cuase ve got to our protagonist before someone could stop him.

[@osw330904]

Thank you for your knowledge

[@mindsetmedia9373]

Wonderful advice. Tnx.

[@goodnessadegbola8301]

This is really helpful and insightful. Thank you sir for sharing

[@peet3449]

In time I sat to each my lunch and then this comes out. Perfect timing, thank you, sir!

[@timflatus]

Brilliant. I shall base my next villain on you. Thanks!

[@viyusavery248]

Glad to hear from you

[@carolbloomfield5658]

thank you for sharing you wisdom and experience

[@CanaldoPortador]

I made three villains for my story, I'd like to hear your thoughts: One is the main character himself, who due to feeling insufficient in his mission, his well-meaning decides do distribute power to all which ends up very badly and for so falls on the misnaming of anti-villain and ends as a true hero Other is the first antagonist, who developed the plan to distribute power originally, he masks his plan under a facade of being a direct enemy to the main character, bent on destroying him but turns out he's a gentle person (much more than the main character himself he's a lovable loving person) who's trying to allow people to protect themselves And the final one used to be a friend of the main character but the same circumstances that started the main character's journey also caused him to develop a split personality, losing his own mind to what's basically a demon who decides that the weak ones must be cleansed so true equality can exist. But in the end both personalities are so damaged that their final form is but an unstoppable power-hungry beast, any trace of humanity being lost and all that's left of that dear friend is an empty shell and a danger that needs to be destroyed

[@yanceyricks2601]

While I am not Mr. Jenkins, I’ll lend my thoughts. The first two sound like they have enough room to cooperate, at least when the need calls for it. While I do not understand “power” (political, magical, or otherwise) I say that cause it for some reason reminds me of the the Chinese civil war between Capitalists (Chang Kai Shek, misspelled his name) and Communists (Mao Zedong). Both were bitter rivals until the Japanese invaded in the late 1930’s. That war bled into world war 2, and afterwards the fighting occurred again. Today the capitalists were bailed out by America, making Taiwan their new home with communist China taking the mainland. If the main character and second villain are the first two factions I mentioned (not literally, comparatively) then the third villain could be something like Imperial Japan. Imperial Japan was a vile nation that had to be stopped, the atrocities they did to the Chinese were so brutal that even Nazis thought they took things too far. (Look up John Rabe). If you want to compare the third character to a “demon” then Imperial Japan might help you in crafting this character. Furthermore, the rivalry between Japanese army and Japanese Navy might offer some clues on how “personalities” act towards one another, in Japans case, highly competitive to the point of detriment. Since the main and third character know each other, it might be a good idea to show some modicum of humanity towards each other. For this example I think of the American Civil War. There was a moment known as the “battle of the bands” where what at first started as a rivalry developed into both armies singing “home sweet home.” The next day they were at each other’s throats. One of the themes of the American Civil War was brother vs brother. Some people in that war literally found themselves staring at relatives at the other end of the barrel, one example was a son who found himself taking his father prisoner. If you could show the main and third seeing each other’s humanity that might make for a fascinating story that I have no idea how to pull off… yet anyway. Let me know if you have any questions. Hope this helps! Have a blessed day!

[@CanaldoPortador]

@@yanceyricks2601 Ok... You have no idea how everything you said hits home in the way I'm conducting this narrative Yes, the main and the second does end up working together when a war falls upon them and in fact the three-way conflict also bleeds into the major conflict (the aforementioned war) Yes, the "demon" goes exactly like Imperial Japan, not even the most aggressive parts of the war ever even thinks of siding with the demon no matter how powerful he is (both magical and political, he's a speedster with an army of living zombies) and he has to be stopped at all costs. Also because the demon is corroding itself into the beast that he becomes because of his competitive nature to be the single most powerful being in detriment of his own body and mind. Now, I don't know for sure if this bit is on the same page but after discovering the demon's true identity the main character has a vision of his friend withering away inside the demon's mind. Nothing of his consciousness left, only a body made out of agony but the friend instead of the beast nevertheless. It's the moment he realizes the demon has to die so his friend can have his pain ended, shared between them in a dream. His friend's last wish. Is it something like this you're talking about with the battle of the bands? But anyway this is going to help me SO MUCH, thank you. I didn't knew about this time of history. I'll look further for more inspiration. Thank you!

[@yanceyricks2601]

@@CanaldoPortador You are most welcome. While I agree with the assessment that the "Battle of the bands" does not neatly fit with the kind of story you're crafting, the sentiment of it might be borrowed. The idea of two radically opposed yet brotherly beings sharing a moment of calm before the storm is an idea I like, feel free to use the concept no pressure. Since your using Imperial Japan, I recommend looking up Emperor Hirohito. He is not as vile as his military, in fact if he had his way, they wouldn't have even invaded China. It took two nukes and the threat of invasion by USA and Russia to actually get the Japanese military to ask THEIR Emperor what to do, even that decision cause a small revolt. It may help if you know the scale of the second world war in Asia, if your story used historical numbers in a zombie apocalypse... kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqiugXmKYrecpbc Keep in mind that the Chinese were fighting each other BEFORE the Japanese invaded. If you want to learn about World War 2, there is an AMAZING channel called... "World War 2" where they break down the war week by week. I've been watching it for a while and the war in China is brought up sometimes but mainly focuses on the war in Europe, Africa, and the Pacific. If this interests you, check out the "Great War" channel which breaks down World War 1 week by week. I don't know how much of this will be used but hope it goes well. God Bless. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@africanamericanwargreymon6341]

Yancey Rick's really happy to see someone in this website acknowledges the vile cruelty of imperial Japan. Kids these days are so in bed with nazis that they ignore and straight up deny the sheer brutality of imperial Japan. Which at BEST matches the nazis and at worst are infinitely worse than any nazi. Thank you for bringing awareness to the topic, more people should know about that

[@nailsaggitarius4212]

very helpfull, thank you Mr. Jenkins.

[@VERA-po4gl]

Thank you❤

[@pankhurikhanna-tl9zl]

Thank you sir 🙏🏻

[@user-sp9ho6mw7e]

Thanks again!!!!

[@sky_0716]

Thankyou, Mister

[@mohammadmahdi4915]

Tnx for the tips 😃👌

[@anabel340]

Woah! If I get published, its thanks to u! 🥳

[@let_go429]

Sir thank you for the priceless advices.

[@clintoreilly]

You tips and advice is gold Mr. Jenkins. Thank you. Your teachings has enlivened my writing in progress.

[@naliesnikas]

not to throw around hurtful words, but I think you should revise writing in the literal sense - grammar, punctuation.

[@tlwilson32]

@@naliesnikas English may not be this person's first language. Perhaps they are trying to respectfully thank Jerry in his own language.

[@naliesnikas]

@@tlwilson32 then they would... use their own language? This is english - crude though it may be - not some other tongue. Once again, I mean no disrespect to the aspiring man or woman. I think it's great that he or she is trying to get better at these things. I just wanted to leave this observational if not slightly condescending piece of my mind.

[@jethalaalchampaklaalgada7927]

Just when I needed❤

[@thedoctor2415]

Thanks

[@leighaya9076]

Thanks Jerry❤

[@ryannoy9501]

Thanks professor

[@VarnasL]

Im leaving a comment just to give you more friction, quality content like that deserves it!

[@kizzle552]

Thank you

[@debbiejacobs9731]

Thank you.🙂

[@kishorebansfore5911]

Thank you, Jerry.

[@crispusattucks4007]

Excellent

[@scotttanner8043]

thank you

[@Zei33]

The way you described the villain types was a story in itself.

[@MeisterGeekMedia]

Thank you for the gems sir

[@PS4Pat]

I'll try to keep these tips in mind. Even before I started watching/listening to this, I started getting an idea for an antagonist. I'm thinking that they're gonna start out acting like a bully and later on start having a crush on the protagonist (similar to Amity with Luz in The Owl House), but when they catch on that the protagonist actually likes someone else, they're determined to have their crush, so they become manipulative.

[@cpmow831]

One of the best villains of all time: Gus Fring

[@croftech7113]

Great video, and advice. Lol now I want to write a story about a villain who is the main character. Would that be an anti-hero?

[@hd-lb5rn]

You are an amazing writer.😁I want to read some of your books...Can you recommend some?

[@moneyl6608]

Awesome

[@Kyber_Star]

Hi! I absolutely love your channel. I have a question, I'm currently writing a novel with a Villain-to-hero story arc, that starts at the beginning after the character has changed, with various flashbacks and interactions revealing my character's backstory and reason for change. How do I work with this? I want to make this believable, and I don't want it to be boring but I don't want it to move too fast. How do I work towards making my character trustworthy for the heroes? How do I reconcile their past misdeeds to myself, my readers, and my characters? I always wondered if Darth Vader had survived, would people ever really trust him? How do I accomplish this?

[@clydefugami544]

Thanks, Jerry. Would you say voice is an element consistent with the writer's personal style, while tone is the stance the writer takes on any one particular story? Thanks again.

[@HOLDENPOPE]

I would like to add to this that complex doesn't really exclude pure evil. The most obvious way this can manifest is obviously a variant of the noble antagonist. A paragon who believes they are in the right while committing absolutely horrible atrocities. This might seem like bad writing, but frankly, it's realistic. Think about how many groups there are, past and present, who believed themselves to be in the absolute right while utterly destroying other people's lives. There is no questioning that these people are villains, even if they categorically do not see themselves this way. A good fictional example is Quilge Opie from Bleach. He is so utterly devoted to the deaths of Hollows and percieved glory of the Quincies that he effectly starts trying to start a Hollow genocide under the guise of recruitment. He's pretty clearly pure evil, but he views himself as a hero and as one of Yhwach's angels. And while an argument could be made that he's a charicature...he's based off Heinrich Himmler, so... A better example is probably characters who don't really believe in morality. They don't necessarily see themselves as a villain, but they also don't see themselves as a hero, and are motivated by more amoral goals. Scientific curiosity, some variants of nihilism, and so on. Examples here are Kimblee from Fullmetal Alchemist, Askin Nakk Le Vaar from Bleach, and nearly any mad scientist out there. They might have more evil traits, like sadism and such, or more admirable traits, like limiting collateral damage, but their core motive is still amoral. Then...there's the card-carrying villains. The mustache-twirlers. This might seem like an oxymoron, since these villains do acknowledge that they're villains and thus are presumably at least in part doing what they do because they're the bad guy, but...there are actual psychological reasons, in real life, that someone could be like this. If someone is both a psychopath and a sadist, then they will crave stimulation and actively choose to get that stimulation by ruining other people's lives or even killing them. Note that a psychopath is a real mental illness, not something fiction made up, and it's usually defined as someone being born unable to feel normal emotions or empathy. A person like that categorically CANNOT have a 'noble' motivation, if 'noble' is defined as 'selfless'. They either fall more into the amoral camp, ignoring morality entirely and just doing whatever, or they actively lean into the idea that psychopaths are inherently evil and roll with it. They aren't inherently serial killers. Psychopathy by itself does not to my knowledge include a 'must kill anyone I see' mentality. Regardless, these kinds of people DO and HAVE existed, so to say that it's unrealistic for a villain to do bad things for bad reason is disingenuous at best. Psychopathy is a real thing, and you don't need to combine it with much to get your classic serial killers or mustache twirlers. For instance, in real life, there was the Zodiac Killer. He told the police that he killed people because he wanted to have slaves in the afterlife. I seriously doubt anyone with that goal and motivation would see themselves as the hero. Let's also not forget that most evil empires usually seem to be based off the N*zis, and even though some, if not possibly most N*zis did see themselves as heroes, there is absolutely no arguing that what they did makes almost all of them disgusting human beings (Save for those who apparently fought against the system in various ways, though those seem to be few and far between). While it's easy to say that the Zodiac Killer was just being cartoonishly evil to troll the police, we have to acknowledge that this 'cartoonish' level of evil came from somewhere. 'Deranged serial killer who murders people for fun' is not a character archetype that appears out of nowhere, and again, there really don't need to be that many overlapping mental illnesses for it to be a reality. This isn't to say I categorically hate sympathetic villains though, which is moreso what this video seems to discuss, I actually have plenty who are genuinely sympathetic and plenty more who are to some level complex. Very few are just 'bad guy who does bad thing because they are bad guy' and even fewer are genuinely one-dimensional, since I tend to add a personality as a dimension. I might list my villains in a later comment or reply at some point.

[@chickencurry420]

A lot of this advice reminds me of something Ralphthemoviemaker said about Thanos. "He's not just evil. He doesn't wanna blow up the universe just cuz, he has a believable and understandable motivation." As opposed to other poorly done villains who are just evil for evil's sake. It might be fun to watch such a villain get their ass kicked at the end but it can make for a boring conflict overall because you don't care about the villain. Not that there's anything inherently wrong with a purely evil villain if that's the story you want to write but there's always gonna be something better than that.

[@personx4999]

Villains don't always need redemptive qualties. Sauron and Emperor Palpatine are two of the most iconic characters. Neither of them have a single redeeming quality. Both of them are pure evil.

[@faultyinterface]

Same with the Beast from Over the Garden Wall, Erebus (ESPECIALLY Erebus) from WH40K, and SO many serial killers from real life. Some people are just pricks for no good reason.

[@NoahSprague]

Dang I was about to mention Sauron! I think almost if you have your villain be a believable threat to the hero then you got a good villain it doesn't matter if he's complex or one dimensional as long as he makes you believe that he can harm the hero then I feel like you've done your job

[@anurag3619]

They also belong to allegorical fantasies. In the video he's talking about reality

[@cj-cv7zv]

hence the word "complex". Those villains are great, but they don't exactly have the most depth...

[@dariotrujillo777]

But they were each unique and memorable. Palpatine is THE Evil Galactic Emperor and Sith Lord, complete with sorcerer powers, almost a throwback to arthurian tropes, and sauran was a literal demigod semi divine fallen angel taken almost straight out of myth by a genius philologist Tolkien. So they were "Complex" not to mention Palpatine's manipulation of the galactic senate highlighting dangers within democracies without a constitutional representative republic. He was a political villain in ep 1-3 not just a mythological villain like in ep 4-6. But you brought up an interesting point.