Great villains in films, series and soap operas are responsible for moving the plot and causing problems for the good guys. And, usually, these villains have a legion of fans who admire them and prefer them to the good guys of the plot. If that's your case, don't worry, because the science explains the preference for villains.
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Villains are characters often considered wronged. That's because a plot is only able to work with the presence of the villain as much as the good guy.
Likewise, the path responsible for producing a villain can generate identification in the viewer, who feels close to the character and can understand his motivations.
Lack of charisma, meanness, impatience, difficulty liking people, manipulation and dissimulation are some of the characteristics of the villains, who move away from the good guys considered kind, fair, loving and sociable.
But, given this diversity of characteristics, why do people identify with villains to the point of rooting for them in a story in which the other side defends what is good, beautiful and fair?
According to research published in psychological science, people prefer villains because they look closer to us and that makes them more likable in our eyes.
When talking about fiction narratives, liking villains does not tarnish our image and works as a brain protection for liking these characters. Something like: Because it's a made-up story, I feel comfortable liking the villain.
According to the researchers who conducted the study, in real life, people are more likely to distance themselves from those who share negative traits, such as betrayal and dislike.
However, when talking about fiction, this does not happen and usually brings people closer to villains who have characteristics close to the spectator. As is the case with those who see themselves as intelligent and ambitious and end up having an affinity with Lord Voldemort.
In this way, people manage to create a real protection network to express their tastes for fictional characters, even if they are villains, because they pose no real danger to the society.