reformed villain
Ex-bad guy now
A reformed villain is a character—in fiction or real life—who was once evil or antagonistic but has changed sides, abandoned their wicked ways, or sought redemption.
The term appears frequently in storytelling discussions: The reformed villain joining the heroes is one of my favorite tropes.
Reform may be genuine or suspected of being temporary: Can we really trust a reformed villain?
- antiheroMorally ambiguous main character
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- change of heartReversal of opinion
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- making amendsCompensating for wrongdoing
sworn enemy · repentant · second chance · fresh start · nemesis · rival · dark past · tragic backstory · dark side · inner demons · forgiveness · betrayal · loyalty · sidekick · mentor · scar · guilt · haunted
- redemptionredemption arc, redeemed, forgiven, saved, moral redemption
- hero tropesaction heroes, chosen one, superheroes, hero's journey, reluctant hero
- romantic tropeslove interest, heartthrob, soulmate, Romeo, Juliet
reformed villainfallen angel
Expelled celestial rebel
turncoat · tragic hero · traitor · Anakin Skywalker · Harvey Dent
reformed, villain, reform, reforms, reformer, reformers, reforming, reformation, reformist