Please Kill the Villain!

One of my biggest pet peeves in movies or books is when the hero has the villain in their sights and then... lets them go.

Especially if it's a) because their girlfriend said to, or b) because "killing you makes me like you". Excuse me while I roll my eyes.

So, let's discuss why I want people to stop doing this and killing their villains instead.

A Misguided Effort

On the surface, I get it. You don't want your hero to look like a monster, ruthlessly killing those in his path. But this is the VILLAIN. The person who up to this point in the story has committed crimes including by not limited to:

• Murder
• Genocide
• Sexual assault
• Kidnaping
• Assault and battery
• Theft
• Regicide
• Traffic violations

They are not a good person. Most of the time, they aren't repentant, and thus don't deserve mercy.

The hero isn't sparing an innocent life. They're letting someone go who will inevitably come back, threaten those they love, and force the hero to kill them anyway.

What About Court Systems?

But what about a fair trial, I hear you cry. We can't have people out here dealing vigilantly justice, even if the villain does deserve the death sentence.

Very true. And if it works with your story, I agree that the villain should instead be arrested and tried in the proper manner (preferably with the correct sentence of death for their crimes).

But most of the time when this situation happens when that's not an option. Maybe they're in the wilderness, a fantasy kingdom, or they are the person appointed to dole out punishments like this by the government. So they have no excuse for letting the villain go.

But My Girlfriend...

Often, the heroes don't kill the villain because their girlfriend is there and begs him to let the villain go. They're women and don't like violence.

But that doesn't mean the hero should listen to them. It's far better to kill the villain now than to let him go so he comes back later and kidnaps the very woman who begged for his release.

If your girlfriend can't accept that you need to do your job and defeat the villain, even by violent means, then maybe you should get a new girlfriend. If she's a good woman, she'll understand you did what you had to do.

You're Just Like Me

I hate this excuse even more than the girlfriend one. Villains love to taunt the hero that killing them makes them the same. Excuse me, sir, do you see the hero leveling cities or killing innocent civilians? No, you don't.

The villain is killing out of anger or selfishness or simple lack of empathy. They've often killed many people, sometimes hundreds or thousands.

The hero only kills out of necessity. They defend themselves when attacked, but don't instigate. They probably haven't killed anyone in this story so far.

Killing one man who's committed hundreds of murders does not make you the same. The hero is stopping someone who will continue to kill by taking one life. Sometimes, that's a sacrifice you have make.

I understand that killing is hard. It's not something that should be done lightly. But if your hero is going to kill anyone, it should be the villain.

Not killing is not strength. It's knowing when to kill. And watching a hero let someone go who has done terrible things in the name of being "the good guy" actually lowers my respect for him.

When Should You Let the Villain Live?

I'm also not saying that the villain should always die at the end of the story. So, what are some times you should let the villain live?

• When letting them live would be a fate worse than death
• When you have a good punishment for them
• When arresting him works with your story
• When the villain is a relative (within reason)

Obviously, every story is unique. You may choose to kill or not kill your villain for a variety of reasons.

But enough of this hero letting the villain go for no good reason B.S., please and thank you.