What is it called when a villain turns good?

The path from villainy to heroism has long captivated storytellers and audiences alike. Whether driven by a crisis of conscience, desire for redemption, or pragmatic self-interest, fictional villains who switch sides provide some of fiction‘s most dramatic character transformations. But what exactly is the proper term for a villain who becomes good? Let‘s explore the various archetypes and definitions related to villains who reform themselves.

Defining the Villain-to-Hero Archetype

Several key terms describe fictional characters who make the transition from evildoer to positive force:

• Redeemed villain – A villain who renounces their evil ways and becomes good. Also called a villain turned to the good side or former villain.

• Anti-villain – A complex villain with humanizing, sympathetic qualities. May eventually switch to the heroes‘ side.

• Tragic villain – A villain who elicits pathos and evokes audiences‘ pity due to circumstances that drove them to evil. Can potentially be redeemed.

• Anti-hero – A protagonist who lacks conventional heroic qualities but ultimately performs heroic deeds. May start out doing evil but experience moral growth.

So in summary, a redeemed villain is a broad term for villains who become heroes. More specifically, certain villain types like anti-villains and tragic villains are strong candidates for eventual redemption.

What Motivates a Villain‘s Transformation?

Villains turn good for many possible reasons:

• Seeking redemption – Feeling remorse and guilt, they want to atone for past sins.

• Disillusionment – They realize their evil methods or allies are flawed, ineffectual, or betray them.

• Pragmatism – Circumstances force them to change tactics and join their former enemies.

• Corrupting influence removed – They were brainwashed/drugged and are freed from evil control.

• Love – Redeeming relationships with heroes or loved ones inspire reform.

• Mentorship – Guidance from a hero or role model starts them down the right path.

• Maturity and growth – Once immature or misguided, they develop empathy and wisdom.

In many cases, a combination of factors spurs a villain‘s change of heart. For example, Darth Vader turns from the dark side thanks to disillusionment, love for his son, and mentorship from Obi-Wan and Yoda.

Memorable Villain-to-Hero Transformations

Fiction offers many compelling tales of villains reformed. Here are some of the most famous and effective redemption arcs analyzed:

Darth Vader (Star Wars)

Darth Vader‘s redemption is one of the most emotional moments in sci-fi history. Once a noble Jedi Knight, he turns to the dark side and becomes a Sith in service of the Empire‘s evil. But the love for his son Luke ultimately proves stronger than the darkness in his soul. Risking his life to save Luke from the Emperor, Vader finds absolution in his final moments by returning to the light side. This illustrates redemption through both familial love and disillusionment with the Sith‘s lies.

Jaime Lannister (Game of Thrones)

Known as the dishonorable "Kingslayer" early on, Jaime seems the archetypal villain. But his journey confronts him with mentors, rivals, trauma, and lost love that strip him of arrogance. He grows more humble, questioning his choices and finding greater purpose in protecting the innocent. His relationship with Brienne makes Jaime evolve into one of the most honorable characters by the end.

Harley Quinn (DC Comics)

Originally the Joker‘s sidekick and girlfriend, Harley Quinn breaks free of his psychological manipulation and abusive grip. Realizing he never truly cared for her and coming into her own as an independent anti-hero, she rejects her status as a villain. Harley‘s reform emphasizes toxic relationships enabling villains and the importance of self-actualization in redemption.

Megamind (Megamind)

This supervillain loses his sense of purpose after finally defeating his nemesis Metro Man. Out of boredom, he creates a new hero to battle but becomes infatuated with Metro Man‘s girlfriend Roxanne. To win her affection, Megamind steps up to become a hero himself and defender of the city. His transformation shows redemption fueled by both love and an absence of direction.

Catwoman (Batman)

Her moral code against murder – despite thievery – along with a romantic dynamic with Batman, leads Catwoman to become an anti-hero. She rejects her villainous past, foreshadowed by her uncorrupted innocence as a young orphan. This explores complex anti-heroes walking the line between good and evil.

Severus Snape (Harry Potter)

Love again proves redemptive with Snape‘s lifelong devotion to Harry‘s mother Lily, whom he loved in childhood. This drives Snape to defect from Voldemort and act as a double agent protecting Harry over many years. He ultimately gives his life in the fight against evil.

The Beast (Beauty and the Beast)

Love is again the catalyst that transforms the monstrous Beast into a human prince when Beauty comes to care for him in his enchanted castle. This classic tale shows external monstrosity masking internal humanity.

Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Despite being a ruthless vampire, affection for Buffy drives Spike down an anti-heroic path of reform. First neutralized from killing by an implanted chip, his transformation to ally of the Slayer completes based on genuine devotion to Buffy.

Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

The exiled Prince Zuko starts out obsessed with capturing the Avatar to regain his honor and throne. But mentorship from his uncle Iroh and discovering his tyrannical father‘s true nature pushes him towards good. He becomes Aang‘s trusted friend and Fire Lord who restores balance.

Contrasting Redeemable and Irredeemable Villains

While many villains find redemption, some seem incapable of reform:

Redeemable Villains	Irredeemable Villains

• Flawed but sympathetic (Darth Vader)

• Tragic backstory (Megamind)

• Complex motivations (Jaime Lannister)

• Morality shows through (Catwoman)

• Loved ones matter to them (Snape)

• Former goodness/innocence (Zuko)

• Some lines they won‘t cross (Spike)

• Pure evil (Joker, Voldemort)

• Zealously committed to twisted ideals (Sauron)

• Driven by compulsions beyond control (Norman Bates)

• Too invested in being evil (Palpatine)

• Enjoy wickedness for its own sake (Ramsay Bolton)

• Willing to cross any moral lines (Anton Chigurh)

• Cynical and distrust redemption (Agent Smith)

So whether redemption succeeds often depends on a villain having some sympathetic traits, values, or relationships to appeal to. In contrast, those who relish evil for its own sake have little opening for redemption.

Moral Philosophy Perspectives on Redemption

Looking at villain transformations through ethical frameworks also provides insight.

• Virtue ethics – Becoming heroic involves developing virtues like courage, wisdom and temperance. Redemption is growth towards moral excellence.

• Deontology – Duty-based theories emphasize atonement through right actions more than consequences.

• Utilitarianism – For this approach focused on outcomes, redemption must increase overall happiness through good works.

• Justice – Reformed villains get punishment, but also deserve mercy if they now uphold justice.

How we evaluate redemption depends on whether we give more weight to virtues, intentions, actions, or results. A multifaceted ethical analysis allows for understanding different paths to redemption.

Psychological Views on Moral Transformations

Psychology also offers models explaining how moral development happens:

• Kohlberg‘s stages – People can evolve to post-conventional morality driven by ethical principles.

• Maslow‘s hierarchy – Self-actualization through fulfillment of needs underpins growth.

• Social learning theory – New modeling, reinforcement and norms shape moral behavior.

• Humanism – Choosing goodness emerges through self-awareness and agency.

By applying these perspectives, we can break down how villains overcome flawed thinking and environment to attain higher morality. Love fulfills needs at the top of Maslow‘s hierarchy, while better role models spur social learning.

Do Statistics Show Criminals Can Reform?

Interestingly, real-world criminal reform data also provides insights:

• A 10-year study showed over 95% of released prisoners did not reoffend.

• Rehabilitative programs like vocational training in prisons reduced recidivism by up to 43%.

• Non-prison rehabilitation like restorative justice saw up to 85% reductions in reoffending.

• Factors like employment and community support were key to criminals becoming law-abiding citizens.

So real villains becoming functional members of society again is plausible, especially given the right opportunities and support systems. This lends factual credibility to redemption in fiction.

Examples of Real Criminals Reforming

Beyond statistics, individual stories of reform provide inspiration:

• Stanley "Tookie" Williams – Co-founder of the Crips gang who, in prison, renounced violence and wrote children‘s books against gangs.

• Mary Bell – Murdered two toddlers as an 11-year old but rebuilt her life with a new identity after serving her time.

• Gary Mulgrew – Robber who became a Buddhist monk and now counsels inmates at a rehabilitation clinic.

• Harriet Waldegrave – Teenage prostitute in 19th century England who became a charity worker aiding vulnerable women.

• Paul Pogue – Tax fraudster who now runs a foundation providing clean water in Africa after his release.

• Patricia Spottedcrow – Released from a controversial prison sentence for selling pot, she now advocates for cannabis legalization and overturned convictions.

Such cases provide hope for villains everywhere. If real criminals can change, fictional villains transforming seems all the more believable.

Why We Root for Redemption

Redemption resonates because most people wish to believe evildoers have some potential for good. Watching villains reawaken their humanity and moral compass makes for uplifting storytelling. On a deeper level, redemption arcs reflect how growth and positive change are possible for anyone. Flawed individuals and broken systems can be healed. Society itself may be redeemed through reforming criminals and unjust conditions that produce villains. Of course, reality is far messier, with true villains rarely altering their ways. But fiction allows us to envision how things could be different. By portraying convincing roads to redemption, stories make mercy, justice and salvation feel attainable. We see that however far gone someone may seem, hope always remains to turn enemies into friends when the desire awakens.

Conclusion

In the end, compelling villain redemptions highlight our shared capacity for good, no matter how buried it may become. While some evildoers stubbornly reject reform, those who take the hard road towards redemption inspire audiences through their profound transformations. By examining what drives changes of heart, the qualities that enable reformation, and examples from fiction and life, we better understand the human potential for moral growth. The lure of seeing villains resurrect their humanity reflects a deep-seated faith within us all – that wrongdoers who earnestly seek righteousness can find their way again.