Why do we love villains?

Do you know what "nemesis" means? A righteous infliction of retribution manifested by an appropriate agent. Personified in this case by an 'orrible ****... me. :cool:
 
I think because it appeals to our darker impules and fantasies. How many of us can honestly say they've never been so mad at someone that they've imagined killing them? Or releasing stress by going on a killing spree? Would we ever do it? Of course not! But thats beside the point. The villains get to do the evil stuff we sometimes wish we could do, so its a vicarious thrill to be able to watch them do it instead.
 
I also think that liking/respecting the villian somehow makes you (as the viewer) feel safer, in some weird way; if the story were really taking place and you were confronted by said villian, finding some common ground could increase your chances of survival (make you exempt from the vilian's campaign).
 
They can be such charismatic and fascinating characters that you just cannot help liking them and are drawn to them because they possess something that you wish you could have.

My favourites are Michael Corleone (AL Pacino), The Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman), Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes) and Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins).

How can you not like this bunch? :D
 
I think there's something deep in the human psyche that attracts us towards villainous leadership - I guess in tribal days you'd be more likely to survive if your chief was a ruthless, brutal sod and you were prepared to toe the line.
 
When the guy died at the end of Law Abiding Citizen... Disappointing.
I wanted him to kill everyone.

I like particular villains which have control over any situation, and can do anything they want, like you said though OP, a villain pedo?... That's more sickening than eccentric.
 
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