Bad Guys Done Right – Creating Villains Your Readers Love to Hate

In our last two blogs, we learned that to create characters readers cannot put down, we need to evoke empathy for our protagonist and frustration for our antagonist.

What do we want our readers to feel for the villain? Well, that is a somewhat complicated question, so I’ll ask it again: What emotion do we want the reader to feel towards our villain?

First, let’s look at the main differences between heroes and villains:

1.      Heroes die for their beliefs. They do what must be done.

2.      Villains act for themselves, kill for themselves, and do what they want. Villains are self-centered.

Based on that foundation, here are a few other questions you should ask yourself, beginning with, what kind of villain do I want to create?

·        Do I want readers to root against this villain — or wrestle with their own feelings about them?

·        Should the villain reflect something the protagonist fears or represses?

·        Do I want the readers to feel angry every time he appears, or;

·        Will they have another type of emotion, like tragic sympathy – after all, my villain did lose his father when he was only five years old. No wonder he’s so angry.

Here’s a little help in making those decisions:

1.      Fear or Dread

• Ideal for thrillers, horror, or suspense.

• The villain feels unstoppable, unpredictable, or deeply cruel.

• Readers feel tension every time they appear.

• Example: A serial manipulator who always seems one step ahead.

2. Disgust or Moral Outrage

• Works well when the villain violates ethical boundaries.

• Readers feel repulsed or angry — they want justice.

• Example: A corrupt official exploiting vulnerable people.

3. Pity or Tragic Sympathy

• Perfect for complex, layered villains.

• Readers understand their pain, even if they reject their choices.

• Example: A grieving parent who turns to revenge and loses themselves.

4. Admiration or Fascination

·        Display brilliance or mastery, outsmarting heroes with clever strategies or intricate plans. 

·        Possess charisma and charm, speaking with wit, eloquence, or humor that captivates readers. 

·        Keeping promises, protecting loved ones, or following a personal code—even while committing villainous acts. Showing respect for worthy opponents can earn reader admiration. 

·        Embody power or vision.

A villain becomes fascinating when they are more than evil—when they embody brilliance, vulnerability, or a vision that readers can’t help but respect, even as they recoil from their actions. 

Crafting villains that readers love to hate takes more than an author might think. It means weaving together fear, fascination, and just enough truth to make them feel real.