Exploring Film as Popular Art Promoting Scarred Villain Trope

As an influential art form, cinema holds the power to shape social norms. One of the most enduring cinematic conventions is the “scarred villain” trope, wherein facial differences as scars convey moral corruption. Recent advocacy efforts challenge this trope, implying a possible evolution in portrayals of facial differences. We analyzed top-grossing films, spanning four decades in the United States and two decades in India, to assess how facial differences are represented. Contrary to expectations, the scarred villain trope has intensified over time. This escalation occurred alongside increased non-villainous characters with anomalies. Country of origin did not predict the presence of facial differences in villains or heroes, but the “Action” and “Fantasy” genres most frequently depicted villains with anomalies. Furthermore, villains’ facial differences involved more facial subunits than heroes. These findings underscore how cinematic art can reinforce damaging stereotypes, highlighting the need for critical reflection on the cultural power of film.