Women’s Day 2026: Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, Cynthia Eviro as Elphaba – female villains who went rogue for good reasons
When we think of female antagonists, we think of women with gothic makeup wearing deep-hued dresses sporting elaborate hairstyles driven with the sole intention to rule and exploit. But no, over the years, storytelling has evolved, and female antagonists are no longer dictators devoid of compassion. Today, they are complex characters whose reputation of being ‘the black sheep’ is a byproduct of social injustice. Their actions, which are deemed ‘bad’ in the conventional sense, are undertaken for a greater purpose, for the welfare of humankind. And that is possibly why some ‘antagonists’ have appealed to the audience more than the lead.
From Elphaba in Wicked fighting the ‘Wizard of Oz’ for animal rights to Cassie in ‘Promising Young Woman’ taking the role of vigilante, here are a few antagonists who were bad for good reasons.
