How to Write a Fanatic Archetype Villain Who’s Willing to Burn it All Down
Villains come in many forms. Some are greedy. Some are clever. Some just want to watch the world burn.
But then there’s The Fanatic – the villain who truly believes they’re the hero.
They don’t care about money, power, or fame. What they want is justice. Righteous victory. Salvation. And they’ll do anything to get it.
In this article, we’re going to unpack what makes The Fanatic archetype such a powerful villain character.
You’ll learn their traits, strengths, flaws, and how to use them in your own stories. Let’s get into it!
Prefer to watch, rather than read? Check out my YouTube video on the fanatic villain archetype below!
What Is a Villain Archetype?
A villain archetype is a classic type of bad guy that shows up again and again in stories.
You’ll find them in myths, books, movies, comics – even video games. Archetypes are not cookie-cutter characters, though. They’re patterns.
Writers can use them as a base, then build something unique. Some well-known villain archetypes include:
The Mastermind (smart and always ten steps ahead)
The Beast (brutal and violent)
The Corrupt Official (twisting rules for personal gain)
The Trickster (sneaky and deceptive)
And of course… The Fanatic
Heroes vs. Villains: What’s the Difference?
Both heroes and villains can follow familiar paths. But there’s one major difference: Heroes grow. Villains dig in.
Heroes learn from their mistakes and evolve over time.
Villains – especially Fanatics – go in the opposite direction. The more resistance they face, the harder they double down.
They become more extreme, more dangerous, and more convinced they’re right.
What Is The Fanatic Villain Archetype?
The Fanatic isn’t just “the bad guy.” They’re a true believer.
Their mission is everything. Their belief is unshakable.
And their actions, no matter how cruel, are always “for the greater good” in their minds.
Key Traits of The Fanatic
Unwavering conviction – No logic or evidence will change their mind.
No self-preservation – They’ll die for the cause. Literally.
Righteous justification – They believe their actions are morally right.
Charisma or fear – They either inspire loyalty or terrify people into following them.
All-or-nothing attitude – No middle ground. You’re with them or against them.
Why Are Fanatic Villains So Fascinating?
Audiences love fanatic villains because they mirror real-life people we’ve seen in history time and time again.
These are leaders, cult figures, or radicals who believe they’re saving the world – even while causing destruction.
Unlike greedy or selfish villains, Fanatics don’t want something for themselves.
They want to “fix” the world. That makes them:
Hard to stop
Impossible to reason with
Genuinely frightening
Writers love them because they raise the stakes.
You can’t negotiate with a Fanatic. You have to outthink – or outlast – them.
Strengths of The Fanatic Villain
Fanatics are both dangerous and powerful. Here’s why:
1. Unstoppable Drive
They never quit. Ever.
Exhaustion? Doesn’t matter. Losing followers? Still going.
Even captured or near death, they’ll push their plan forward.
Example: John Doe (Se7en) – Even in custody, his twisted plan unfolds exactly as he wanted.
2. Terrifying Conviction
They believe 100% in their mission.
You can’t guilt them. You can’t bribe them. Their moral code is everything.
Example: Melisandre (Game of Thrones) – She burns people alive because she thinks her god demands it. That’s next-level belief.
3. Charismatic or Fearsome Leadership
Fanatics often gain followers, either through charm or fear.
Their passion is contagious – or terrifying.
Example: Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War) – His calm certainty and power convince others to follow him, even to death.
4. Fearlessness
They aren’t afraid to die. Threats don’t work on them.
This makes them nearly impossible to intimidate.
Example: The Operative (Serenity) – He’ll do anything, sacrifice anyone (even himself) if it helps build a “better world.”
Weaknesses of The Fanatic Villain
Even the most powerful villain has flaws. And Fanatics have some big ones.
1. Blind to Contradictions
They create a reality where they’re always right. Even when it makes no sense.
Example: Khan (Star Trek II) – His obsession with revenge makes him ignore logic, leading to his own destruction.
2. Inability to Adapt
They’re so locked into one mission, they can’t change course – even when they should.
Example: Max Cady (Cape Fear) – His need for revenge grows so reckless, it causes his own downfall.
3. Alienation from Others
They push people away. Even allies. Even loved ones. Their intensity becomes too much.
Example: Gil Renard (The Fan) – His obsession with a baseball player makes him spiral into violence and paranoia.
4. Overconfidence
They assume their cause will win.
This can make them careless or blind to smarter enemies.
Example: J. Jonah Jameson (Spider-Man) – His hatred for Spider-Man makes him a puppet for actual villains.
Iconic Examples of Fanatic Villains
Let’s take a look at some famous Fanatics in fiction:
Colonel Kurtz (Apocalypse Now) – Believes only he understands war, creating a nightmare jungle empire.
Mrs. Carmody (The Mist) – Turns fear into fanaticism, preaching sacrifice to survive.
Ronan the Accuser (Guardians of the Galaxy) – Obsessed with revenge, he defies even Thanos.
Brother Justin Crowe (Carnivàle) – A preacher turned monster, believing he’s a divine force.
Arthur Harrow (Moon Knight) – Wants to punish people before they commit crimes.
President Alma Coin (The Hunger Games) – Fights tyranny with… more tyranny.
Zemo (Captain America: Civil War) – Sees super-powered beings as the root of all pain and must stop them.
How to Write a Fanatic Villain
Here’s how to make your Fanatic archetype villain character unforgettable:
1. A Belief That Makes Sense
Even if their actions are extreme, their core idea should almost be reasonable.
Example: Thanos wants to save the universe from overpopulation. That’s a real issue – but his solution? Yikes.
2. Make It Personal
Tie their beliefs to their past.
Did they lose someone? Were they betrayed? Did they once fight against what they now support?
Example: Zemo’s family died in a superhero battle. His grief becomes his fuel.
3. Let Them Start Off Justified
At first, their cause might seem fair. But slowly, their methods cross the line.
Example: John Doe punishes sin – but through gruesome, unforgivable means.
4. Let Them Win… For a While
A Fanatic that loses right away isn’t scary. Let them gain followers. Let them win battles.
Let them almost succeed – until their flaws take them down.
Fanatics, Fire, and Fiction
Fanatic villains are unforgettable because they burn with belief. Their passion is terrifying. Their confidence is chilling.
And their refusal to quit? That’s what makes them truly scary. Make sure that when you’re creating a villain character, you ask yourself:
What do they believe in?
How far will they go?
And what will it take to stop them?
Because in fiction (and sometimes real life), the most dangerous person isn’t the one with a weapon. It’s the one who believes they’re saving the world.
