Empathy or Evil?

Disney’s Shift in Villain Narratives and How We Can Guide the Conversation

Recently, my family gathered for a movie night, and we sat down together to watch Wicked—Disney's reimagined story of the Wicked Witch of the West. It was a special moment, three generations in the same room: me, my parents, and my teenage children. As the film played, I couldn’t help but notice how differently each generation was processing the story.

For our parents, who grew up watching the original Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch was simply evil. She was a symbol of villainy, with no backstory needed—just bad through and through. For them, there was no real room for empathy for her character; she was the enemy, end of story.

Our kids, on the other hand, were fascinated by the idea that the Wicked Witch might not be as wicked as we all thought. The idea that she had a backstory, pain, and a reason for her actions made her more relatable to them. They could see how society’s treatment of her shaped who she became, and suddenly, she wasn’t just a “bad guy” in a fairytale; she was a complex person with feelings and motives.

As for us, personally, I found myself caught between these two perspectives. As a parent, I recognize the importance of understanding where people are coming from, but at the same time, I know that just because someone has a story doesn’t mean their actions are excused. The movie presented an interesting challenge: Is empathy enough, or does this new approach to villains soften the boundaries between right and wrong?

This shift is not unique to Wicked. It’s part of a larger trend we’ve seen in Disney’s storytelling over the last several years—villains being portrayed as misunderstood, complex characters. Whether it’s Maleficent, Descendants, or Frozen II, the villains of modern Disney films are increasingly given backstories that explain their actions, making them seem more human than villainous. But as parents, we need to ask: Are these villains truly misunderstood, or is Disney simply trying to excuse their behavior?

Disney’s recent villains—who are complex, misunderstood, and even sympathetic—have certainly gotten a lot of attention. Cruella, Frozen II, and Maleficent show us the tragic backstory behind their villainous ways. But as parents, we must consider:

• What does this mean for how our children view evil?

• Is it helpful to humanize villains, or are we blurring the lines between right and wrong?

• More importantly, how do we approach these stories from a faith perspective?

Is There a Right Way to Empathize with a Villain?

When we watch a movie, it’s easy to get caught up in the character development. We learn about the villain’s past, their pain, and the things that led them down the path of evil. Suddenly, they aren’t just bad guys—they’re victims of circumstance, too. This is exactly the angle Wicked takes, reimagining the Wicked Witch as someone who has been wronged. Our kids get fascinated by this idea and began asking: “What if she’s not really evil? What if she was just hurt?”

As Christian parents, this presents a challenge. While we are called to show sympathy and compassion, we must also recognize that evil actions are still wrong. Scripture teaches us to be compassionate, but it also emphasizes the importance of confronting evil and seeking repentance. Balancing empathy with accountability is key in guiding our children’s understanding of right and wrong through a scriptural lense.

The “Villain with a Backstory” Trend: What Does It Teach Our Kids?

Disney has certainly capitalized on this trend. From Frozen II (where Elsa's struggle isn't against an evil villain, but her own fears and the aftermath of past mistakes) to Cruella (where we learn the tragic backstory behind her villainous ways), these characters aren’t just evil for evil’s sake—they have reasons for what they do.

This shift in storytelling can influence our children’s view of morality. By presenting villains with complex backstories, we may inadvertently teach them that bad behavior is always justified by circumstances and doesn't need to be addressed or corrected. It's important to guide them in understanding that while empathy is vital, wrong actions still have consequences and need to be confronted.

The Gray Area: Where Does Sin and Empathy Meet?

As parents, we can’t ignore the reality that movies like Maleficent or Cruella show us that sometimes bad things happen to people that shape their choices in harmful ways. While we can empathize with a villain’s hurt, it’s crucial to teach our children that sin is still sin, regardless of the circumstances. As Christians, we are called to empathize, but that doesn't mean we condone sin or let people off the hook for their actions.

Take the example of Maleficent. She’s wronged by King Stefan, but does that justify her actions toward Aurora? In the end, we are left with a question: Can we feel sorry for her and still hold her accountable for the harm she caused?

Helping Our Children See the Full Picture

It’s easy for kids to feel sorry for someone who’s been hurt, especially if that person shows remorse. However, the Bible teaches us that actions have consequences, and we must make choices that honor God. It’s our job as parents to help our children think critically about what they watch and to use these examples to teach them deeper spiritual truths.

For instance, while we may empathize with a character like Maleficent, we should also explain to our kids that her decisions—no matter the pain she’s experienced—are still destructive. Jesus calls us to forgive, but He also calls us to repent and turn away from sin. Understanding this balance is key in helping our children form their own views of right and wrong.

Encouraging Critical Thinking

As Christian parents, we have a responsibility to carefully consider the content our children are exposed to, especially when it comes to messages about morality. Disney has long been known for blending fantasy with valuable life lessons, but with the rise of reimagined villains, we must be cautious of the subtle messages these stories convey. While it’s easy for children to become captivated by the complexity of these villains—characters with tragic pasts and understandable motives—it’s important to remember that our role is not just to enjoy the story, but also to guide our children in filtering these messages through a biblical lens.

Scripture offers guidance on both empathy and understanding. Ephesians 4:32 reminds us to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Jesus demonstrated the importance of empathy in His interactions, reaching out to sinners with love and understanding while calling them to transformation (Luke 5:32). This shows us that while we can sympathize with someone’s struggles, it’s still essential to recognize that sinful actions require us to seek change and growth.

As parents, we have the opportunity to teach our children that while understanding and compassion are crucial, they shouldn’t overlook the need for accountability and transformation.

These stories can serve as great discussion starters about how we show empathy to others, but also how we stand firm in our understanding that God calls us to address wrongdoings and seek forgiveness.

In the end, we can help our children engage with these stories in a way that fosters both compassion and discernment. By grounding them in the truth of Scripture, we can encourage them to appreciate the lessons these villains’ stories offer, while also learning that real love and empathy don’t compromise the call to repentance and transformation.

Conclusion: Striking the Balance Between Compassion and Accountability

As Disney continues to offer more nuanced portrayals of villains, it’s important to remember that while empathy and understanding are vital, they must never overshadow the need for accountability. We can empathize with others without condoning their wrong actions. In fact, Scripture calls us to love our enemies, but also to hold them accountable for their choices.

Ultimately, our goal as parents is to help our children navigate these complicated narratives with a firm grounding in their faith. By teaching them that empathy doesn’t mean excusing sin, we can help them grow into thoughtful, compassionate, and discerning individuals who make godly choices in a world full of gray areas.