Thor, Harry Potter, Superman — it’s understandable why we like positive images. But why do we find villains attractive? Why do you sometimes even want to be like them? We deal with the psychologist Nina Bocharova.
The attractive images of Voldemort, Loki, Darth Vader and other «dark» heroes touch some hidden strings in us. Sometimes it seems to us that they are like us — after all, they were rejected, humiliated, neglected in the same way. There is a feeling that for those who are “on the bright side of the force”, life was initially much easier.
“Heroes and villains never appear alone: it is always a meeting of two opposites, two worlds. And on this confrontation of forces plots of world-class films are built, books are written,” explains psychologist Nina Bocharova. “If everything is clear with positive characters, then why are the villains interesting to the viewer, why do some take their “dark” side and justify their actions?”
By identifying with the villain, a person unconsciously lives with him an experience that he would never have dared himself.
The fact is that the «bad guys» have charisma, strength, cunning. They were not always bad; circumstances often made them so. At least we find an excuse for their unseemly acts.
“Negative characters, as a rule, are very emotional, courageous, strong, smart. It always excites, arouses interest and catches the eye,” says Nina Bocharova. Villains are not born, they are made. There are no bad and good: there are the oppressed, the outcast, the offended. And the reason for this is a difficult fate, deep psychological trauma. In a person, this can cause compassion, sympathy and a desire to support.
Each of us goes through different stages in life, experiences our own traumas, gains experience. And when we look at bad heroes, learn about their past, we unwittingly try it on ourselves. Let’s take the same Voldemort — his father abandoned him, his mother committed suicide, did not think about her son.
Compare his story with the story of Harry Potter — his mother protected him with her love, and knowing this helped him survive and win. It turns out that the villain Voldemort did not receive this power and such love. He knew from childhood that no one would ever help him …
“If you look at these stories through the prism of the Karpman triangle, we will see that in the past, negative characters often ended up in the role of the Victim, after which, as happens in the drama triangle, they tried on the role of the Persecutor in order to continue the series of transformations,” says expert. — The viewer or reader can find in the «bad» hero some part of his personality. Perhaps he himself went through something similar and, sympathizing with the character, will play out his experiences.
Identifying with the villain, a person unconsciously lives with him the experience that he would never have dared himself. And he does it through empathy and support. Often we lack self-confidence, and, trying on the image of a “bad” hero, we adopt his desperate courage, determination, and will.
It is a legal way to expose your repressed and repressed feelings and emotions through film therapy or book therapy.
A rebel wakes up in us who wants to rebel against an unjust world. Our Shadow raises its head, and, watching the «bad guys», we can no longer hide it from ourselves and others.
“A person can be attracted by the villain’s freedom of expression, his courage and extraordinary image, which everyone is afraid of, which makes him powerful and invincible,” explains Nina Bocharova. — In fact, this is a legal way to make public your repressed and repressed feelings and emotions through film therapy or book therapy.
Everyone has a shadow side of their personality that we try to hide, suppress or repress. These are the feelings and manifestations that we may be ashamed or afraid to demonstrate. And in sympathy with the “bad” heroes, the Shadow of a person gets the opportunity to come forward, to be accepted, albeit not for long.
By sympathizing with bad characters, plunging into their imaginary worlds, we get a chance to go where we would never go in ordinary life. We can embody our “bad” dreams and desires there, instead of translating them into reality.
“Living with the villain of his story, a person gets an emotional experience. At an unconscious level, the viewer or reader satisfies his interest, contacts his hidden desires and does not transfer them to real life, ”the expert sums up.