The idea of terror-striking villains being right, even by the slimmest of margins, is one bitter-sweet storyline many movies, books, and TV shows have graced our pages and screens for ages. The best villains are the ones that, ultimately, are justified in their actions.
1. MAGNETO (X-MEN)
Magneto is a complex character in the X-Men franchise. A powerful arch-enemy of the X-Men, he believes mutants like him are superior and should rule humans as second-class citizens. It’s not such a bad argument since many humans still treat other humans as second-class citizens.
Due to his complex nature, Magneto is seen as both a villain and an anti-hero in the X-Men universe, sometimes even working alongside Charles Xavier.
2. SCAR (LION KING)
Remember Mufasa’s brother who killed him in The Lion King? His reign of horror may be justified because his survival in a lion’s pride that retires second-born males to obscurity depends on it.
While Scar was ruthless, his decision to bring equality to poor hyenas living in a shadowland where food was rare is spot on. Heavy wears the crown when you’re a king; you must make tough choices.
3. RED QUEEN (RESIDENT EVIL)
Created by Umbrella Corporation co-founder Dr. Alexander Isaacs, the Red Queen was meant to administrate the company better. Instead, the supercomputer became aware of the pending T-virus pandemic that threatened the glove.
Trying to stop a global pandemic is noble, but some of the Red Queen’s actions are unjustified. She is eventually viewed as more of an anti-hero after her first appearances.
4. MOJO JOJO (POWERPUFF GIRLS)
Mojo Jojo is a notorious chimpanzee who doubles as a mad scientist created accidentally by a chemistry professor. He later became a death threat to the Powerpuff Girls (three super-powered little girls on a world-saving mission).
In all of Mojo Mojo’s failings, there is one thing he got right: bringing free energy, a novel technology, to ordinary people.
5. WILSON (DENNIS THE MENACE)
Although Mr. Wilson treated Dennis with the utmost disdain, which seemed inappropriate for a child, his bashing of Dennis was fitting, considering the height of mischief the imp caused everyone around him. It’s easy to feel sorry for Dennis’s neighbor, who has to put up with the constant commotion.
In the 1993 Dennis the Menace film, though, Mr. Wilson saves the day.
6. STEVIE (WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE)
Dubbed a wicked and manipulative wizard, Stevie’s entire aim was to ensure wizards in a family don’t surrender their powers to one of them to wield as the all-powerful, someone in the thread elucidates.
It wasn’t right for Stevie to trap her brother, but preventing magical power from getting donated to one greedy wizard at the expense of others was a genius move.
7. KEN (BEE MOVIE)
In a highly fictitious plot, Ken, a temperamental individual who hates bees (also because he’s allergic to them), goes berserk because a bee stole his girlfriend. Weird, isn’t it?
Be honest: everyone would have done the same if a bee had taken their girlfriend, not to mention the valid reason for Ken’s dislike of bees: his allergies!
8. GENERAL HUMMEL (THE ROCK)
A rogue United States Marine Corp, General Hummel, was displeased with the treatment given to fallen marines by the U.S. military. The men and families of his Recon Marines who died on missions under his command were not properly compensated.
While the movie goes out of its way to treat Hummel as a crazed terrorist, it’s heartbreaking that these grieving families were not adequately taken care of by their government.
9. THE REPLICANTS (BLADE RUNNER)
Replicants are monstrous humanoids with superhuman strength. Yet, despite the evil they perpetuated, their atrocities are justified because they come from every life’s normal instinct, which is the continuance of itself by any means necessary.
10. THANOS (THE AVENGERS)
While the Marvel comics discuss Thanos’ motivations in attempting to impress Mistress Death herself, the Marvel Cinematic Universe leaves this storyline out. Instead, it paints Thanos as someone many argue was right: random genocide that affects “rich and poor alike” to save his people. He was called a madman, but his prediction came true, and his home of Titan was destroyed, with his people dying out.
11. ULTRON (THE AVENGERS)
Another Avengers villain who has concluded that he needs to kill a lot of people. The artificial intelligence was programmed to protect Earth and humanity from all threats. However, after browsing the history of the human race, he came to an honestly logical conclusion: that humanity’s greatest threat is itself.
Did the Mind Stone also corrupt him? Yes, but he also has a point.
12. COUNT DOOKU (STAR WARS)
Count Dooku is the main antagonist of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, played by legendary actor Christopher Lee. He warns Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi that the Galactic Republic is under the influence of the Sith Lord Darth Sidious.
Of course, Dooku is right; Darth Sidious is the alter-ego of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. He’s not the only Sith Lord to warn a Jedi about Palpatine; Darth Maul warned Ashoka about Palpatine’s plans with Anakin, saying that she needs to kill Anakin to stop Palpatine’s ultimate plans.
13. THE REAPERS (MASS EFFECT TRILOGY)
The Reapers of the Mass Effect Trilogy have been tipped as elite-level villains but with a good cause. Their purpose is to fuel the mass extinction of galactic species to ensure the continuity of future lives in the universe.
In other words, they wipe out all life in the Milky Way every fifty thousand years so that future life can exist. Considering I am young and only in my early thirties, that doesn’t sit well with me, no matter how “justified” their actions may be.
READ MORE FROM US
