Villains We Love: The Anti-hero in American Film and Television

From charismatic criminals to flawed freedom fighters, villains and antiheroes often blur together in ways that both disturb and fascinate us. This course explores the morally ambiguous figures who captivate the American imagination across film, television, politics, and social media. Focusing on the antihero--a character who defies conventional morality while still drawing our empathy--we'll trace how these figures reflect, reject, and distort American ideals. Through screenings, readings, and discussion, we'll explore how they unsettle our sense of right and wrong.