Ever find yourself writing a villain who’s just… evil because they’re supposed to be? Flat, one-dimensional antagonists may keep the plot ticking over, but they rarely leave a lasting impression. In today’s storytelling landscape, audiences are looking for complexity – they want to discover the “why” behind the villainy. That’s where truly memorable antagonists come in: villains who have defined motivations, layered backstories, and even moments of relatability. Today at What We Writing, we’re diving into the art of creating complex villains – the sorts of characters who challenge your protagonist and readers alike. Whether you’re writing fantasy, thrillers, or contemporary literary fiction, crafting a villain with depth can elevate your entire story.
Why One-Note Villains Don’t Work
Weak villain writing – where the villain is evil just for the sake of being evil – can quickly drain the tension and emotional depth from your story. When a villain lacks motivation, complexity, or internal logic, they stop feeling like a real character and begin feeling like just another plot device. And readers notice.
Flat villains fail because they offer no psychological or moral challenge to the hero. If your villain is purely evil with no clear reason why, the stakes feel fake. There’s nothing for your protagonist (or your audience) to grapple with. You lose the opportunity to build meaningful conflict, not just physical, but emotional and ideological as well.
On the flip side, nuanced villains force readers to question their own beliefs. A well-written antagonist may have a goal that is understandable – or perhaps even admirable – but is twisted by their methods or worldview. That tension is what keeps the story ticking.
In all, one-dimensional villains may serve the plot, but they rarely serve the reader. Without depth, your villain won’t be feared, understood, or remembered.
Traits Of A Complex Villain
What makes an antagonist truly memorable? It’s not just their power or cruelty – it’s the depth behind their actions. A well-written villain feels like they could exist, even if they live in a fantasy world. Here are five essential traits that can transform a flat antagonist into a powerful, emotionally resonant force in your story.
1. Clear Motivation
Great villains always want something, and they’re often terrifyingly hellbent on getting it. Whether it’s vengeance, power, or a warped sense of projection, their goal should be specific and emotionally rooted.
Example: Magneto from the X-Men franchise isn’t just evil to be evil – his drive comes from a lifetime of persecution. His belief that mutants must dominate to survive is shaped by trauma, not mindless cruelty.
Tip: Ask yourself, “What does my villain want – and why do they believe they deserve it?”
2. Internal Conflict
A compelling villain isn’t always sure what they’re doing is the right thing. Or even worse – they are sure, but it tears them up anyway. This tension between their desires and actions adds realism and emotional weight.
Example: Killmonger in Black Panther is caught between wanting to reclaim his heritage and the brutal path he believes he must take to do it. That conflict makes him fascinating, even when he is committing heinous acts.
Tip: Explore moments where your villain hesitates, regrets, or wrestles with their choices.
3. Humanity or Relatable Goals
If readers can see a flicker of themselves in your villain, congratulations – you’ve done your job. They don’t have to agree, but they should understand. Relatable villains are powerful because they reflect real human flaws: fear, ambition, grief, and pride.
Example: Gollum from The Lord of the Rings is tragic, even pitiable. His obsession with the Ring is horrifying, but it comes from very human greed and loneliness.
Tip: Ask, “What emotion drives my villain? What part of them might make readers pause?”
4. Backstory That Informs Behaviour
Complex villains don’t appear out of nowhere. Their past – especially trauma, loss, or ideology – should influence how they act now. This doesn’t excuse them, but it does add texture and realism.
Example: Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones is defined by a lifetime of misogyny, fear of loss, and the need to protect her children. Her ruthless decisions are extreme, but at least understandable in the context.
5. Agency and Believability
A villain shouldn’t just react to the hero – they should drive their own agenda. They need to make choices, adapt, and challenge the protagonist in meaningful ways. If they’re just “there to cause trouble,” readers won’t buy in.
Example: The Joker in The Dark Knight isn’t just chaos for the sake of chaos – he has a philosophy. He manipulates others, tests moral limits, and consistently acts with purpose, even if it’s an extremely twisted one.
Tip: Let your villain make choices that actively shape the plot, not just follow it.
Check Out Our Guide To Writing A Mystery
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Writing Villains
Even the most exciting story ideas can fall short if your villain doesn’t stack up. Avoid these common villain writing mistakes to ensure your antagonist is compelling, believable, and essential to your plot.
1. Making Them Evil Just for the Plot
If your villain’s only function is to “give the hero something to fight,” readers are sure to notice. Evil without cause feels lazy. Even the most ruthless characters need a reason for their behaviour.
Fix: Give your villain a strong motivation, rooted in emotion, ideology, or survival.
2. Lack of Believable Goals
“I want to destroy the world” doesn’t count as a believable goal – unless we understand why. Villains should have clear, specific objectives that make sense to them, even if they’re morally wrong.
Fix: Tie their goal to a past experience or personal conviction.
3. Too Invincible (or Too Weak)
A villain who’s too powerful can drift into cartoon territory. Alternatively, a weak villain won’t create real stakes. Readers need to believe the villain could win, but also that they can be challenged.
Fix: Balance strengths and weaknesses. Let the villain fail sometimes – and adapt.
4. No Personal Connection to the Protagonist
A random evildoer can work in some genres, but the villains challenge the hero’s values, flaws, or past. If there’s no emotional or ideological clash, the conflict remains surface-level.
Fix: Make the villain mirror or oppose something central to your MC.
5. Overused Tropes Without a Twist
Cliched villains – such as the monologuing mastermind, the abusive step-parent, or the scarred villain seeking vengeance – can work, but only if you bring something fresh to the table.
Fix: Subvert expectations. Add nuance, contradiction, or unexpected layers.
By avoiding these pitfalls, you’ll guarantee your villain feels real, memorable, and essential to your story’s emotional weight.
Wrap Up
At the core of every unforgettable story is a villain who feels real – someone whose actions, however dark, are driven by believable desires, wounds, or ideals. Writing a villain with depth isn’t just about justifying their behaviour – it’s about understanding it. When your antagonist has clear motivation, internal conflict, and emotional complexity, your entire narrative becomes richer, more dynamic, and far more gripping.
Writing complex villains challenges your protagonist and keeps your audience hooked. So, next time you’re developing an antagonist, go beyond “evil for evil’s sake” – give them something to fight for, something to lose, and something that makes them human.
Who’s your favourite villain with depth? Let us know in the comments – we’d love to know which characters made you think twice!
And if you’re working on creating compelling villains for your story, keep this guide handy as you build the layered antagonists that readers love to hate (and sometimes just love).
