Writing What are your thoughts on redemption arcs? Do they always need to happen, or should some characters stay villains?

[Snehazrul]

For me, I actually love the characters more ,who go through redemption arc. But sometimes, some characters are more suited as villains

 

[DDDepth]

I don't think that every character needs, or realistically would, go through a redemption arc. People are very stubborn after all.

 

[ThisAdamGuy]

If it makes the story better, do it. If you're just shoehorning it in because you like the trope, don't.

 

[Forestbear]

Only if the character really takes an L do I think a redemption arc is valid. It's gotta be rewarding and cathartic.

 

[Dec]

Depends on the character. Not everyone will "turn a new leaf". Some don't want to, some can't, and others will return to their "old ways" not long after their "redemption" arc ends. Sure, there is the "everyone should have a second chance" but I disagree. There are some types of characters whose existence in the first place was a mistake - not because they are badly written (they can be super cool), but because they are so rotten there is no saving them.
As long as it fits the character itself, then those arcs are okay. Otherwise, they can ruin the story, by washing a likable (or not, but still cool) character into something he is not.

 

[Indicterra]

It's nice and great for the story

But sometimes we will get things like Endeavour redemption arc.

I don't know how anyone suffered from guy forgive him or should forgive especially his wife whom he raped and Tortured multiple times

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Some characters should be irredeemable. Some should be like Darth Vader - redeemed at the last possible second by an act of sacrifice.
You should NOT follow the lead of Once Upon A Time and have 75% of the villains not only redeemable but redeemable within the season where they first appear (at least it took two seasons for Regina to become a hero, and Gold kept vacillating, always giving in to his darker side and then pulling back, every time - got tiresome, really)

 

[Placeholder]

> What are your thoughts on redemption arcs? Do they always need to happen, or should some characters stay villains?

Consider the Nazis from Indiana Jones, the Emperor from Star Wars, or the chicken from Wallace and Grommet. Or Lee Atwater from the Republican's Southern Strategy.

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I think you should work out why the villain is the hero of their own personal narrative, even if they don't verbalize it on screen.

 

[PancakesWitch]

the best redemption arcs are those you dont even realize are redemption arcs, dont make it too obvious and meld it with the current story and other characters and world building

 

[Prince_Azmiran_Myrian]

What takes precedent should be what kind of story one is trying to tell.
Depending on that should decide the fate of such a character.

 

[GlassRose]

Why would you even think redemption arcs need to happen? Most people are the hero of their own story, so what is there to redeem? What's a redemption arc to one character may look like a fall from grace to another, and neither of those are really an expectation to begin with? Some people aren't willing to be redeemed, they don't think they need to be, why would they? Redemption can only happen when there's some kind of internal conflict, a villain that is confident in their self image/idealogy, without said idealogy containing major gaps to he explooited, is not going to have the impetus to change, so why would they? It's unrealistic, and unnecessary, and often detrimental, to the story to try to force a redemption on a character. It tends to feel extremely shallow. A redemption is something that needs to be handled with care and be tailored to the specific character in question and their motivations, personality, ideology, and circumstances. It is difficult to do well, and should be used sparingly when appropriate, not carelessly thrown in for the sake of effect.

 

[Snehazrul]

the best redemption arcs are those you dont even realize are redemption arcs, dont make it too obvious and meld it with the current story and other characters and world building

Totally agree

 

[AncestorDuck]

You need to ask yourself first if redemption is possible and realistic. A serial killer and rapist who preys on women for years won’t change no matter what, while an aggressive parent who struggles with their emotions can go to therapy and learn how to manage them.


In short, if it makes sense for the character to change and redeem themselves, then do so. If not, let it be

 

[DorenWinslowe]

Redemption arcs are great. Everyone loves it when Darth Vader turns back to the light side. There's nothing more badass than a villain fighting on the side of the good guys. However, it takes a bold writer to have their 'redeemed' character backslide into old habits. Change is difficult. Most people can't do it. Think of every New Years Resolution you picked up for two weeks and then dropped, every bad habit you swore you'd quit and then pick back up because 'one more time' didn't sound like a dealbreaker, right up until it became a habit again.

Redeemed characters have to earn it. They have to want to change. They have to recognize their flaws and internalize that. And they usually need support from others to continue to do so. And when they don't do that, or get that help, they almost always inevitably fall back into old habits. Change on a large scale just isn't natural. It usually happens as the result of trauma of some kind, and rarely sticks when it's self-enforced.

 

[Tsuru]

Funnily,
Ruined King Viego of LoL

got a shitty "sob story/reason" (he simped for a woman so hard so he try to revive her, which destroy his country and curse him)
but somehow its so shit AND so understandably realistic shitty evil reason
that it doesnt forgive his evil acts, hence stay a villain.
Hence "liked" by fans.


He is the kinda benchmark of "not everyone need a redemption arc, a villain is a villain"
and of "not all villains has a big reason to do what they do, most villains do crimes for bs reason or cravings"

(just like some neighbors got death feuds for the most petty thing or criminals wanting to kill bc they want to kill)
(70% of crimes have no logical reasons even / criminal profiling is overhyped / its also why its sometimes hard to solve crimes bc they doesnt make sense)
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Meanwhile I saw a reverse topic weeks ago.
Spiderman is doing the reverse effect. With how many comics portraying him suffer the most sufferable bs in the universe. (you can say any suffering a human can have and spiderman probably suffered it.)
That being good and being hero, doesnt pay off.

"There is even a comic that show that even if he wasnt there, there wouldnt be a difference"


Now you get series writing bad guys being good and heroes being bad.
We are in bizarro world.

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