Breaking Down Stereotypes: Examining Villain Portrayals in Blockbuster Movies

Many viewers may assume that in blockbuster films, villains often represent certain racial or ethnic groups. However, a closer look at the main villains from top-grossing movies reveals a different trend.

False Premise: Russian, Asian, or Latino Villains

There is a common misconception that in movies, the thug or bad guy is usually a Russian, Asian, or Latino character being severely beaten and taken down by an American hero. Upon closer examination, this does not hold true.

Analysis of Top-Grossing Movie Villains in 2018

Let's delve into the analysis of the main villains from the highest-grossing movies of 2018. Note: This article contains spoilers for some movies.

Black Panther (2018)

Erik Killmonger is the antagonist. He is of Black race and from the fictional country of Wakanda.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Thanos is presented as the main antagonist. He is of bi-racial Eternal/Deviant heritage, and is from the fictional planet of Titan.

The Incredibles 2 (2018)

The main antagonist, Evelyn Deavor, is of White race and residence in the United States.

Aquaman (2018)

Orm, the main antagonist, is of White race and hails from the undersea kingdom of Atlantis.

Jurassic World (2015)

The antagonist, Eli Mills, is White and American.

Deadpool 2 (2018)

In Deadpool 2, the antagonist, Cable, is also of White race and American.

The Grinch (2018)

The main antagonist, The Grinch, is a fictional green character with no specific racial or ethnic affiliation.

Mission: Impossible — Fallout (2018)

The antagonist, August Walker, is of White race and residence in the United States.

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

The antagonist, Ava “Ghost” Starr, is of biracial White and Black heritage and of British nationality.

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

The antagonist, Dryden Vos, is of White race and a Galactic Imperial from the edge of the known galaxy.

Out of the top ten grossing American movies in 2018, there are no Russian, Asian, or Latino villains. While there are instances of such characters in films, they are far from the norm.

It is worth noting that the most common villains in blockbuster American movies this year were white Americans, just as the most common heroes were.

Conclusion

The portrayal of villains in movies is diverse and complex. Stereotyping villains based on race or ethnicity is not only misleading but also harmful. It’s essential for filmmakers and audiences to question and challenge these stereotypes to promote a more inclusive and accurate representation in media.