The Breaking Bad Creator Has A Point About Villain Stories

In an era dominated by morally ambiguous characters and anti-hero narratives, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan has raised an important concern: Are villain stories becoming too aspirational? As more TV shows and movies center on complex antagonists, many viewers have begun idolizing these figures rather than recognizing them as cautionary tales. The Breaking Bad creator’s warning, delivered while accepting a special honor at the Writers Guild Awards, comes at a time when society is grappling with the increasing normalization of toxic behavior—both online and in real life. He argues that storytelling has made villains too “sexy,” encouraging audiences to admire figures who should serve as warnings rather than role models.

Gilligan’s statement—“I say we write more good guys”—is a call to action for writers to reconsider the kinds of characters they glorify. He pointed out that figures like Darth Vader and Hannibal Lecter, originally designed as villains, have become cultural icons, with audiences often cheering for them despite their malevolent actions. When viewers begin to idolize fictional criminals, ruthless leaders, or manipulative masterminds, it raises the question of whether storytelling has inadvertently contributed to the rise of aggressive and antagonistic behavior in the real world. Given how people engage with media today, his words carry significant weight.

Related

The Penguin’s Success Is Another Reminder That The Riddler Was A Failure

Oswald Cobb’s calculated schemes in The Penguin starkly contrast with the Riddler’s flawed, and somewhat illogical plans in The Batman.

Breaking Bad Wasn’t Supposed To Be An Instruction Manual

One of the most striking examples of villainous admiration comes from Gilligan’s own creation, Breaking Bad. The show follows Walter White, a struggling high school chemistry teacher who turns to cooking meth to secure his family’s financial future after being diagnosed with cancer. Over the course of five seasons, Walter transforms into a ruthless drug lord, eliminating anyone who stands in his way. Despite his descent into crime, manipulation, and murder, many fans celebrated him as a genius and a symbol of empowerment.

This reaction was never Gilligan’s intent. He originally likely crafted Walter White’s arc as a cautionary tale, designed to illustrate the dangers of unchecked ambition and moral compromise. However, some viewers latched onto Walter’s intelligence and resourcefulness, choosing to view him as a misunderstood hero rather than the destructive force he became. This phenomenon highlights a broader issue in entertainment: When a character is written as charismatic or competent, audiences may overlook their moral failings and instead see them as aspirational figures.

The idea that Breaking Bad could be misinterpreted as a blueprint rather than a warning is deeply concerning. This shift in perception is not unique to Breaking Bad, either. Many complex villains, from Tony Montana in Scarface to Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, have been misappropriated as icons rather than warnings. It underscores how, when presented without clear moral framing, villain stories can lead to unintended consequences.

Vince Gilligan Going In Another Direction

Recognizing the impact that anti-hero narratives have had on audiences, Gilligan has announced that his next project will take a different approach. He plans to focus on protagonists who embody positive values, challenging the dominance of morally gray figures in modern storytelling. While anti-heroes have their place in fiction, he believes that there should be a stronger balance between them and characters who inspire goodness.

Gilligan’s decision reflects a growing awareness of how storytelling shapes societal norms. When audiences are repeatedly exposed to narratives in which ruthless behavior is rewarded, it can subtly influence the way people perceive success and power. If the most compelling characters are those who lie, cheat, and manipulate to get ahead, then real-world attitudes may begin to mirror that ideology.

Too Many People Think Being Bad Is Good

One of the more troubling trends of recent years is the way antagonistic behavior has been celebrated—not just in fiction but in everyday life. Whether on social media or in political discourse, the idea of being “bad” or showing no remorse has been embraced by many as a desirable trait. This reflects a growing tendency to equate cruelty with strength and kindness with weakness.

The internet, in particular, has become a breeding ground for antagonistic behavior. Trolls, influencers who embrace toxic attitudes, and public figures who thrive on controversy have gained massive followings. Some of these individuals cite fictional anti-heroes as their inspiration, taking cues from characters who prioritize self-interest over morality. The rise of such attitudes raises important ethical questions about the impact of media consumption on real-world behavior.

When villains become aspirational figures, it distorts our cultural understanding of success and morality. If the message people absorb from media is that power and success come from ruthlessness, then it’s no surprise that aggressive and exploitative behaviors have become more prevalent. This extends beyond entertainment and into workplaces, politics, and everyday interactions, where cutthroat behavior is sometimes rewarded rather than condemned.

Breaking Bad was never meant to be an instruction manual, yet the way some fans interpreted it demonstrates how easily stories can be misread. When audiences begin to idolize villains instead of learning from their mistakes, it’s a sign that cautionary tales aren’t always received as intended. As entertainment continues to evolve, Gilligan’s approach suggests a promising way forward—one where compelling storytelling doesn’t have to come at the cost of glorifying harmful behavior. If more creators follow his lead, we might see a cultural shift toward narratives that inspire rather than corrupt.

Breaking Bad

Release Date

2008 – 2012

Network

AMC

Showrunner

Vince Gilligan

• 

  Bryan Cranston

  Walter White

• 
• 

  Dean Norris

  Hank Schrader

• 

  Betsy Brandt

  Marie Schrader

• 

More

The Penguin Succeeded Where Breaking Bad Failed

Oswald Cobb and Walter White share traits and arcs, but what makes The Penguin detestable while Heisenberg becomes a dangerously celebrated icon?