The Villain's Older Sister Suffers Again Today

Okay, picture this: I'm scrolling through TikTok the other day, right? And suddenly, BAM! Another edit of some angsty villain, complete with the dramatic slow-motion and a sad-but-catchy song. But this time, something's different. There's a comment that catches my eye: "I feel bad for his older sister, though. She probably has to deal with all his emo phases." And that, my friends, is where my brain just went bing!

Because let's be real, we're all so caught up in the tortured backstory of the villain, the hero's noble quest, and the destined romance that we completely forget about the poor souls stuck in the middle. Specifically, the older sister (or sometimes brother, but let's be honest, it's usually the sister) who's just trying to survive another Tuesday when her brother decides to hold the kingdom ransom because his favorite cat died.

The Unsung Heroine of Villainy: Why We Need to Talk About Her

Seriously, have you ever considered the sheer logistical nightmare of being related to a supervillain? We're talking about:

Awkward family dinners: Imagine trying to make small talk with Uncle Gary when he's just finished plotting the downfall of society. “So, Gary, how’s the weather manipulation project going? Still raining on everyone's parade, I see." Yikes.
Constant police raids: "Oh, it's just the authorities again. They're here for Barry's doomsday device. Don't worry, I'll make some tea." I mean, at some point, you'd just get used to it, right?
Endless apologies: "I'm so sorry about my brother turning your garden gnomes into sentient security robots. He's going through a phase." And don't even get me started on the dry-cleaning bills. Evil lairs are notoriously dusty.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg! But what truly interests me is the emotional toll this takes on the older sister. She's not just cleaning up after her brother's messes, she's also dealing with:

Guilt: Did she do something wrong? Could she have prevented her brother from turning evil? (Spoiler alert: probably not, but the guilt is still there).
Loneliness: Who can she even talk to about this? "Yeah, my brother's planning to destroy the world. What about you?" Not exactly a conversation starter at the water cooler.
Fear: Is she next? Will her brother eventually see her as an obstacle to his grand plan? Talk about sibling rivalry reaching a whole new level.

It's a thankless job, really. And let's be honest, she deserves a medal. Or at least a really good therapist.

Common Tropes and Why They Hurt (or Hilariously Help)

Now, in the wonderful world of fiction, the Villain's Older Sister (VOS for short, I'm coining it!) often falls into a few familiar tropes. Let's break them down:

The Long-Suffering Caretaker: This is probably the most common one. She's the one who raised the villain after their parents died (or abandoned them), and she's spent her entire life trying to steer him away from the dark side. She's usually exhausted, perpetually worried, and secretly harbors a sliver of hope that he can still be saved. Think of her as the embodiment of unconditional love... being constantly tested.
The Unknowing Accomplice: Sometimes, the VOS is completely oblivious to her brother's villainous activities. She thinks he's just a quirky inventor or a misunderstood artist. This trope can be played for comedic effect, especially when she accidentally helps him carry out his evil plans. ("Oh, you need me to sign this document that gives you control of the city's power grid? Sure, no problem!")
The Secret Agent of Good: This is my personal favorite. The VOS is secretly working against her brother, feeding information to the hero, sabotaging his plans, and generally being a badass double agent. She's the unsung hero, the silent protector, and the one person who can actually stop him. Give her a spin-off series, STAT!
The Victim: Unfortunately, sometimes the VOS is just a plot device, a damsel in distress used to motivate the hero or manipulate the villain. She's kidnapped, threatened, or even killed to raise the stakes. This trope is lazy and frankly, insulting. She deserves better!

Which trope resonates with you most? And what fresh spins on these tropes could writers create to make these characters more compelling and empathetic?

Beyond the Tropes: Giving the Villain's Older Sister Her Due

So, how can we, as consumers of media, appreciate the VOS more? And how can writers create more nuanced and interesting VOS characters? Here are a few thoughts:

Give her agency: Don't just make her a passive observer in her brother's story. Let her have her own goals, her own dreams, and her own motivations. What does she want out of life? What are her fears? What are her strengths?
Explore her relationship with the villain: Don't just make them enemies or allies. Dive into the complexities of their sibling bond. How did they grow up together? What are their shared memories? What are the things they love and hate about each other? This is where the real drama (and the real feels) lie.
Don't make her just about the villain: Yes, her brother's actions have a huge impact on her life, but she's still an individual. Give her her own story arc, her own relationships, her own challenges to overcome. Let her be more than just "the villain's sister."
Let her be flawed: Nobody's perfect, especially not someone who's dealing with the stress of having a supervillain for a sibling. Let her make mistakes, let her have doubts, let her be vulnerable. It will make her more relatable and more human.

Imagine a story where the VOS isn't just trying to stop her brother, but also trying to understand him. Maybe she even feels a little bit of empathy for him, even though she knows his actions are wrong. Or perhaps she's secretly envious of his power, even though she despises what he does with it. Now that's a story I'd pay to see.

It's Not Just About Supervillains, Is It?

The fascinating thing about the VOS archetype is that it reflects a lot of real-life situations. We all have family members who make questionable choices, who cause us stress, and who sometimes make us question our own sanity. And just like the VOS, we often find ourselves caught between loyalty, love, and a desperate desire to protect ourselves and the people we care about. The key difference is usually that our problematic family member isn't trying to take over the world... though, sometimes, it sure feels that way, doesn't it?

So, the next time you're watching a movie, reading a book, or playing a video game with a compelling villain, take a moment to think about his older sister. What's her story? What's she going through? And maybe, just maybe, you'll find that she's the most interesting character of all.

Let me know in the comments: Which villain's older sister do you think deserves more recognition? And what are some of your favorite examples of this trope in fiction? I'm dying to hear your thoughts!

And to all the real-life "Villain's Older Sisters" out there, I salute you. You're doing a great job. You're seen, you're appreciated, and you deserve all the chocolate and therapy in the world.