Movie Villains Who Were Right About More Than Fans Admit

Villains are essential aspects of our favorite stories. They help drive the plot and keep the audience hooked. However, not all of these characters are villains just for the sake of it. Many of them have complex backstories and moral beliefs. Though the execution is often unreasonable, some villains have understandable motives or beliefs. Here are 6 movie villains who were right about more than fans admit.

6. Erik Killmonger (Black Panther)

Though many of his actions were unjustified, some of Erik Killmonger‘s beliefs and goals were not extremely far-fetched. Wakanda’s highly advanced resources were kept from the rest of the world, though they had the technology to help people worldwide. Killmonger simply wanted to share these resources with the world to make it a better place.

Killmonger’s motives stem from the heartbreaking memory of his Father’s life being taken by T’Chaka. T’Chaka was his father’s brother and T’Challa’s father, so his prejudice against the family has roots. Ultimately, Killmonger was left alone in America as a young boy.

Though he had justified ambitions of helping others and a rightful claim to challenge T’Challa for the throne, many of his actions made him a bad king. He approached with violence and destroyed a sacred Wakandan tradition. Though T’Challa was the better king, Killmonger’s beliefs were understandable.

5. The Riddler (The Batman)

This is another case of a tragic backstory leading to unsavory actions. The Riddler was an orphan, just like Bruce Wayne (Batman). While Wayne lived in luxury after his parents passed away, The Riddler, aka Edward Nashton, was raised in the Wayne Foundation Orphanage.

The children in the orphanage were victims of neglect. Children were exposed to overcrowding, rats, and freezing temperatures. Poor conditions were a result of politicians and highly ranked police officers using the orphanage money for personal gain.

Nashton’s motive is to stop the corruption in Gotham City. He wants to take out the elites so that people like him, such as orphans, don’t suffer. While eliminating corruption and working towards a better life for people is a good motive, his execution was evil and unjustified.

4. Shere Khan (The Jungle Book)

This human-hating tiger is very fearful, despite the confident persona he displays. Shere Khan‘s desire to rid the jungle of humans is his way of protecting himself from his fear of guns and fire.

Humans are the only creatures who can wield firearms or create fire with ease. Since Shere Khan has likely avoided being killed by competitive hunters his whole life, he had to learn to protect himself.

While Mowgli shows no threat, his fear remains. Shere Khan’s attempts to get rid of Mowgli seem evil, since Mowgli is an empathetic child who loves animals, but his fears are rooted in reality.

3. Karli Morgenthau (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier)

When Thanos used the Infinity Stones to rid the world of half its population, Karli Morgenthau noticed how people abandoned borders and fighting to come together and support one another. During this period, known as the blip, Morgenthau believed the world had become a better place despite the tragedy.

When The Avengers brought back the other half of the population, she realized the government cared more about those who had been lost to the blip than the people who lived through it.

Due to her struggle and loss, she worked towards a better future of unity, similar to how the world was during the blip. She believed refugees who survived the blip should be given the same treatment as those who disappeared.

While her cause was noble, her crime and violence needed to be stopped. Ultimately, Morgenthau died for the cause.

2. Miranda Priestly (The Devil Wears Prada)

While this editor-in-chief is known to be strict and difficult to please, she prioritizes work and recognizes the sacrifices that come with being successful.

Miranda Priestly, portrayed by Meryl Streep. shows Andy, the protagonist, that being a fashion journalist requires hard work, discipline, commitment, and presentation. She prepares her for a difficult industry that requires constant accommodation and pivoting.

Ultimately, her harsh approach prepares Andy for a harsh work environment.

1. Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War)

While Thanos‘s actions are certainly unforgivable, he noticed and wanted to fix a very real problem. The people on his home planet were faced with poverty and struggle. Recognizing the importance of utilizing resources, treating people equally, and acting sustainably is an incredibly important realization that Thanos came to. Something needed to change. Unfortunately, the solution he proposed was far from moral.

The solution, according to Thanos, was to use the infinity stones to randomly eliminate half the world’s population, so the other half could thrive. Though his conclusion that wealth or power does not make someone’s life worth more than another’s life is reasonable, to fix the world’s problems through killing people was irrational and immoral.