History Main / FaceofAThug

The opposite of this trope is FaceOfAnAngelMindOfADemon, which is when someone looks friendly on the outside but is evil on the inside. When that trope and this one are brought together, it can result in UglyHeroGoodLookingVillain, though as mentioned above, the trope isn't always about attractiveness exactly.

'''Shrek:''' Yes. No.\\

'''Shrek:''' No. ''Layers.'' Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. Onions have layers. You get it? We both have layers.\\

* In the ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''[=/=]''ComicBook/PowerGirl'' crossover fic ''FanFic/OriginStory'', Sanchez and Francisco are a pair of twin brothers who work as agents for porn actresses. They are described as looking like walking stereotypes and "feel slimy" when Alex Harris first meets them. It turns out that they are two honestly nice guys who give Alex some helpful advice after realizing she's underage.
* In ''Anime/FullmetalAlchemist'' fanfic ''FanFic/BuildYourWingsOnTheWayDown'' Aviv Seif, [[spoiler: Catherine Armstrong/]]Gabby's boyfriend, looks rather intimidating due to his height and burn scars on his face, which make him look like he's always scowling. He's actually rather down-to-earth and very sweet.

* In ''FanFic/SuchADotingFather'', Endeavor is ranked in the top 10 heroes who look like villains, but (in this fic's AU at least) he's a massive softie and AmazinglyEmbarrassingParent.

* WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}} is an ogre whom humans are scared of because of his monstrous appearance, but in reality he's a JerkWithAHeartOfGold who doesn't hurt people without provocation, and at one point he laments to Donkey that people judge him before they get to know him.
->'''Shrek:''' Ogres are like onions.
->'''Donkey:''' They stink?
->'''Shrek:''' Yes. No.
->'''Donkey:''' Oh, they make you cry.
->'''Shrek:''' No.
->'''Donkey:''' Oh, you leave em out in the sun, they get all brown, start sproutin’ little white hairs.
->'''Shrek:''' No. Layers. Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. Onions have layers. You get it? We both have layers.
->'''Donkey:''' Oh, you both have layers. Oh. You know, not everybody like onions.

* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'': All of [[BigBad Sid's]] toys are [[UncannyValley disfigured and creepy looking]] in some way. Both Woody and Buzz think they're cannibals after they carry away two toys who Sid performed "surgery" on. Then they fix Buzz's arm as he goes through a HeroicBSOD and reveal that they weren't eating the first two toys; they fixed them too.

* Kazuichi Souda in ''VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair'' sports a pretty outrageous {{Slasher Smile}} accentuated even further by his filed down shark-like teeth. He is actually quite timidly and cowardly, and gets called on it within the game.

* Taken UpToEleven in ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'': all of [[BigBad Sid's]] toys are [[UncannyValley disfigured and creepy looking]] in some way. Both Woody and Buzz think they're cannibals after they carry away two toys who Sid performed "surgery" on. Then they fix Buzz's arm as he goes through a HeroicBSOD and reveal that they weren't eating the first two toys; they fixed them too.

[[folder:Webcomics]]
* ''Webcomic/{{Alfie}}'': Downplayed with Ozge. While Voch'khari features tend to be more inhuman than those of [[OurElvesAreDifferent Elves]] or [[{{Hobbits}} Havlin]] (the horns do not help), and they do not have the [[BarbarianTribe best reputation]] among settled peoples outside [[DontGoIntoTheWoods the Red Wood]]; her usual shyness would likely come off as more taciturn than menacing if she were [[GentleGiant a couple of feet shorter]].
* In ''WebComic/AxeCop'', all mermaids are good but have mean-looking faces, apparently because they thought scowls indicated happiness and smiles indicated anger. Axe Cop, unaware of this, [[spoiler:murders one by accident. After learning that mermaids are all good and that this is the first time he ever killed a good guy, he immediately breaks down in tears.]]
* ''Webcomic/CursedPrincessClub'': The Pastel King's children are [[https://www.webtoons.com/en/comedy/cursed-princess-club/ep-1-the-king-returns/viewer?title_no=1537&episode_no=1 depicted]] as almost stereotypically pure and attractive fairy tale princesses (and [[TheOneGuy a prince]]) who all adore each other and their doting father and get along with cute woodland animals. So when [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers youngest daughter Gwendolyn]] is introduced with her sallow skin, messy green hair, carnivorous-looking ScaryTeeth, beady [[BlackEyesOfEvil black]] irises (in contrast to her siblings' cute TaremeEyes), rigid [[VillainousCheekbones cheekbones]] and eye sockets, dour expression, ominous room full of creepy creatures like spiders and rats, and overall goblin-like and witch-like vibe, it initially seems like she's being set up as the evil BlackSheep of the family. Yet she's probably even more of a NiceGirl than the rest of her already kind family, as she's a warm-hearted GirlyGirl, a [[FeminineWomenCanCook good cook]] who loves making meals for her family, NiceToTheWaiter to the point of helping the servants with their chores, and could have easily been a PrincessClassic like her sisters if not for how she looks. The main story arc is set off when she gets upset overhearing her arranged fiancé call her ugly after they meet for the first time -- but even then, her first instinct is to [[ItsAllMyFault blame herself]] for not being a worthy bride instead of getting angry at him for being shallow.
* Jaws from ''Webcomic/DemonFist'' has the face of a gremlin and [[SlasherSmile the smile of a shark]] (plus he's a [[OurDemonsareDifferent demon]]), but he's a genuinely cheerful and caring person.
* ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'': When Bob ends up in prison, his cell mate is a really big, burly, bald man with an intimidating squint named Rocko [[MeaningfulName Sasquatch]]. However, Rocko turned out to be a kind if unrefined guy who was only in prison for beating up the people trying to evict his adoptive mother. He and Bob keep in touch as pen pals until Rocko is released, and he becomes a close ally and friend of Bob and his loved ones from then on.
* ''WebComic/MierukoChan'': Chapter 4 involves Miko and Hana trying to find a good home for a stray kitten they find. [[ISeeDeadPeople Miko]] turns down a seemingly harmless fellow who's surrounded by ominous spirits, but convinces Hana to give the cat to Gozuka, a thuggish man covered in scars and tattoos. Not only is Gozuka surrounded by ''nekomata''-like spirits who happen to be much more pleasant-looking than the spirits Miko usually sees, he turns out to be a KindheartedCatLover.
* ''Webcomic/MobPsycho100'' has the various members of the Body Improvement Club, all of whom look like some kind of delinquent: Gouda has HotBloodedSideburns, Jun's head is [[BaldHeadOfToughness shaved]], Hiroshi sports a [[DelinquentHair mohawk]], and Ryohei has ''[[AnimeHair a gigantic pointed pompadour]]''. All of them are incredibly beefy and exceptionally muscular for teenagers. They have to be JapaneseDelinquents who look down on scrawny, awkward runts like Mob right? Wrong. They are kind, pacifistic, good-natured guys who are 100% supportive of each other, and upon seeing that Mob genuinely wants to improve himself, they instantly accept him as one of their own and encourage him to do better each time. No mockery behind his back, no hazing, just acceptance and encouragement to exercise; they are every bit as honest and upright as they declare themselves to be. Of course, being pacifistic good guys doesn't mean they're not willing to act, as the various people who have tried to hurt Mob found out, [[EveryonesBabySister the hard way]].
* In ''WebComic/OnePunchMan'', King's intense looks, coupled with the mysterious [[HellIsThatNoise King Engine]], have led many supervillains to flee in terror rather than fight him. [[spoiler: It's convenient for King, since he can't fight at all and is frightened to death of battling some city-destroying monster. Also, the King Engine is his own beating heart going into overdrive from fear.]]
* ''Webcomic/PixieAndBrutus'': Brutus' [[RuggedScar face]] is proof that the boy has seen some... [[DarkAndTroubledPast stuff]], but he is very calm and patient with his hyperactive new little sister.
* In ''Webcomic/ScalieSchoolie'', [[HugeSchoolgirl Violet]]'s menacing appearance leads many people to believe she is a bully, but she's truly one of the nicest characters in the comic. Part of this is due to her mother, who was bullied herself, forcing her to look the part.
-->'''Violet''': Why does everyone keep offering me their lunch money... Do I look poor?
* ''Webcomic/TheStrongestFlorist'': Jaeho has a brutish face and the physique to match, but he desires to [[RealMenWearPink open a flower shop]] in the virtual reality game New World. His face terrifies ''gangsters'' in the real world and leads everyone in the virtual world--including [=NPCs=]--to think he's a monster early on.
* In the ''Webcomic/TeamFortress2'' comics, when the Sniper accuses the Medic of being a traitor, referencing the SlasherSmile the Medic made [[TraitorShot upon seeing the Sniper earlier]], the Medic responds that he was simply happy to see the Sniper again; apparently, a psychotic grin ''is'' his default genuine smile. Granted, the Medic at the time was working with a team out to kill his previous teammates, but not for the sake of betrayal; rather, he had run out of test subjects and, to continue his research, had signed on with a new team, which, as it turns out, was contracted to kill the old team by Gray Mann.
* ''Webcomic/YourSmileIsATrap'': Lily Cha has a resting scowl on her face, and her classmates think she's a bully because of it. She takes after her father, who runs a flower shop but is thought to be a gang member. At first, Kiyu Ahn is the only classmate who sees her for the kind girl she is.
[[/folder]]

* ''Webcomic/CursedPrincessClub'': The Pastel King's children are [[https://www.webtoons.com/en/comedy/cursed-princess-club/ep-1-the-king-returns/viewer?title_no=1537&episode_no=1 depicted]] as almost stereotypically pure and attractive fairy tale princesses (and [[TheOneGuy a prince]]) who all adore each other and their doting father and get along with cute woodland animals. So when [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers youngest daughter Gwendolyn]] is introduced with her sallow skin, messy green hair, carnivorous-looking ScaryTeeth, beady [[BlackEyesOfEvil black]] irises (in contrast to her siblings' cute TaremeEyes), rigid-looking [[VillainousCheekbones cheekbones]] and eye sockets, dour expression, ominous-looking room full of creepy creatures like spiders and rats, and overall goblin-like and witch-like vibe, it initially seems like she's being set up as the evil BlackSheep of the family. Yet she's probably even more of a NiceGirl than the rest of her already kind family, as she's a warm-hearted GirlyGirl, a [[FeminineWomenCanCook good cook]] who loves making meals for her family, NiceToTheWaiter to the point of helping the servants with their chores, and could have easily been a PrincessClassic like her sisters if not for how she looks. The main story arc is set off when she gets upset overhearing her arranged fiancé call her ugly after they meet for the first time -- but even then, her first instinct is to [[ItsAllMyFault blame herself]] for not being a worthy bride instead of getting angry at him for being shallow.

* ''Webcomic/CursedPrincessClub'': The Pastel King's children are [[https://www.webtoons.com/en/comedy/cursed-princess-club/ep-1-the-king-returns/viewer?title_no=1537&episode_no=1 depicted]] as almost stereotypically pure and attractive fairy tale princesses (and [[TheOneGuy a prince]]) who all adore each other and their doting father and get along with cute woodland animals. So when [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers youngest daughter Gwendolyn]] is introduced with her sallow skin, messy green hair, carnivorous-looking ScaryTeeth, beady [[BlackEyesOfEvil black]] irises (in contrast to her siblings' cute TaremeEyes), rigged-looking [[VillainousCheekbones cheekbones]] and eye sockets, dour expression, ominous-looking room full of creepy creatures like spiders and rats, and overall goblin-like and witch-like vibe, it initially seems like she's being set up as the evil BlackSheep of the family. Yet she's probably even more of a NiceGirl than the rest of her already kind family, as she's a warm-hearted GirlyGirl, a [[FeminineWomenCanCook good cook]] who loves making meals for her family, NiceToTheWaiter to the point of helping the servants with their chores, and could have easily been a PrincessClassic like her sisters if not for how she looks. The main story arc is set off when she gets upset overhearing her arranged fiancé call her ugly after they meet for the first time -- but even then, her first instinct is to [[ItsAllMyFault blame herself]] for not being a worthy bride instead of getting angry at him for being shallow.

* ''Webcomic/CursedPrincessClub'': The Pastel King's children are [[https://www.webtoons.com/en/comedy/cursed-princess-club/ep-1-the-king-returns/viewer?title_no=1537&episode_no=1 depicted]] as almost stereotypically pure and attractive fairy tale princesses (and [[TheOneGuy a prince]]) who all adore each other and their doting father and get along with cute woodland animals. So when [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers youngest daughter Gwendolyn]] is introduced with her sallow skin, messy green hair, carnivorous-looking ScaryTeeth, beady [[BlackEyesOfEvil black]] irises (in contrast to her siblings' cute TaremeEyes), rigged-looking [[VillainousCheekbones cheekbones]] and eye sockets, dour expression, ominous-looking room full of creepy creatures like spiders and rats, and overall goblin-like and witch-like vibe, it initially seems like she's being set up as the evil BlackSheep of the family. Yet she's probably even more of a NiceGirl than the rest of her already kind family, as she's a warm-hearted GirlyGirl, a [[FeminineWomenCanCook good cook]] who loves making meals for her family, NiceToTheWaiter, and could have easily been a PrincessClassic like her sisters if not for how she looks. The main story arc is set off when she gets upset overhearing her arranged fiancé call her ugly after they meet for the first time -- but even then, her first instinct is to [[ItsAllMyFault blame herself]] for not being a worthy bride instead of getting angry at him for being shallow.

* ''Webcomic/CursedPrincessClub'': The Pastel King's children are [[https://www.webtoons.com/en/comedy/cursed-princess-club/ep-1-the-king-returns/viewer?title_no=1537&episode_no=1 depicted]] as almost stereotypically pure and attractive fairy tale princesses (and [[TheOneGuy a prince]]) who all adore each other and their doting father and get along with cute woodland animals. So when [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers youngest daughter Gwendolyn]] is introduced with her sallow skin, messy green hair, carnivorous-looking ScaryTeeth, beady [[BlackEyesOfEvil black]] irises (in contrast to her siblings' cute TaremeEyes), dour expression, ominous-looking room full of creepy creatures like spiders and rats, and overall goblin-like and witch-like vibe, it initially seems like she's being set up as the evil BlackSheep of the family. Yet she's probably even more of a NiceGirl than the rest of her already kind family, as she's a warm-hearted GirlyGirl, a [[FeminineWomenCanCook good cook]] who loves making meals for her family, NiceToTheWaiter, and could have easily been a PrincessClassic like her sisters if not for how she looks. The main story arc is set off when she gets upset overhearing her arranged fiancé call her ugly after they meet for the first time -- but even then, her first instinct is to [[ItsAllMyFault blame herself]] for not being a worthy bride instead of getting angry at him for being shallow.

* Rocko Sasquatch in ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob.''

* ''Webcomic/CursedPrincessClub'': The Pastel King's children are [[https://www.webtoons.com/en/comedy/cursed-princess-club/ep-1-the-king-returns/viewer?title_no=1537&episode_no=1 depicted]] as almost stereotypically pure and attractive fairy tail princesses (and [[TheOneGuy a prince]]) who all adore each other and their doting father and get along with cute woodland animals. So when [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers youngest daughter Gwendolyn]] is introduced with her sallow skin, messy green hair, carnivorous-looking ScaryTeeth, beady [[BlackEyesOfEvil black]] irises (in contrast to her siblings' cute TaremeEyes), dour expression, ominous-looking room full of creepy creatures like spiders and rats, and overall goblin-like and witch-like vibe, it initially seems like she's being set up as the evil BlackSheep of the family. Yet she's probably even more of a NiceGirl than the rest of her already kind family, as she's a warm-hearted GirlyGirl, a [[FeminineWomenCanCook good cook]] who loves making meals for her family, NiceToTheWaiter, and could have easily been a PrincessClassic like her sisters if not for how she looks. The main story arc is set off when she gets upset overhearing her arranged fiancé call her ugly after they meet for the first time -- but even then, her first instinct is to [[ItsAllMyFault blame herself]] for not being a worthy bride instead of getting angry at him for being shallow.

* ''Webcomic/CursedPrincessClub'': The Pastel King's children are [[https://www.webtoons.com/en/comedy/cursed-princess-club/ep-1-the-king-returns/viewer?title_no=1537&episode_no=1 depicted]] as almost stereotypically pure and attractive fairy tail princesses (and [[TheOneGuy a prince]]) who all adore each other and their doting father and get along with cute woodland animals. So when [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers youngest daughter Gwendolyn]] is introduced with her sallow skin, messy green hair, carnivorous-looking ScaryTeeth, beady [[BlackEyesOfEvil black]] irises (in contrast to her siblings' cute TaremeEyes), dour expression, ominous-looking room full of creepy creatures like spiders and rats, and overall goblin-like and witch-like vibe, it initially seems like she's being set up as the evil BlackSheep of the family. Yet she's probably even more of a NiceGirl than even the rest of her already kind family, as she's a warm-hearted GirlyGirl, a [[FeminineWomenCanCook good cook]] who loves making meals for her family, NiceToTheWaiter, and could have easily been a PrincessClassic like her sisters if not for how she looks. The main story arc is set off when she gets upset overhearing her arranged fiancé call her ugly after they meet for the first time -- but even then, her first instinct is to [[ItsAllMyFault blame herself]] for not being a worthy bride instead of getting angry at him for being shallow.

* ''Webcomic/CursedPrincessClub'': The Pastel King's children are [[https://www.webtoons.com/en/comedy/cursed-princess-club/ep-1-the-king-returns/viewer?title_no=1537&episode_no=1 depicted]] as almost stereotypically pure and attractive fairy tail princesses (and [[TheOneGuy a prince]]) who all adore each other and their doting father and get along with cute woodland animals. So when [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers youngest daughter Gwendolyn]] is introduced with her sallow skin, messy green hair, carnivorous-looking ScaryTeeth, beady [[BlackEyesOfEvil black]] irises (in contrast to her siblings' cute TaremeEyes), dour expression, ominous-looking room with creepy creatures like spiders and rats, and overall goblin-like and witch-like vibe, it initially seems like she's being set up as the evil BlackSheep of the family. Yet she's probably even more of a NiceGirl than even the rest of her already kind family, as she's a warm-hearted GirlyGirl, a [[FeminineWomenCanCook good cook]] who loves making meals for her family, NiceToTheWaiter, and could have easily been a PrincessClassic like her sisters if not for how she looks. The main story arc is set off when she gets upset overhearing her arranged fiancé call her ugly after they meet for the first time -- but even then, her first instinct is to [[ItsAllMyFault blame herself]] for not being a worthy bride instead of getting angry at him for being shallow.

* ''Webcomic/CursedPrincessClub'': The Pastel King's children are [[https://www.webtoons.com/en/comedy/cursed-princess-club/ep-1-the-king-returns/viewer?title_no=1537&episode_no=1 depicted]] as almost stereotypically pure and attractive fairy tail princesses (and [[TheOneGuy a prince]]) who all adore each other and their doting father and get along with cute woodland animals. So when [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers youngest daughter Gwendolyn]] is introduced with her sallow skin, messy green hair, carnivorous-looking ScaryTeeth, beady [[BlackEyesOfEvil black]] irises in contrast to her siblings' cute TaremeEyes, dour expression, ominous-looking room with creepy creatures like spiders and rats, and overall goblin-like and witch-like vibe, it initially seems like she's being set up as the evil BlackSheep of the family. Yet she's probably even more of a NiceGirl than even the rest of her already kind family, as she's a warm-hearted GirlyGirl, a [[FeminineWomenCanCook good cook]] who loves making meals for her family, NiceToTheWaiter, and could have easily been a PrincessClassic like her sisters if not for how she looks. The main story arc is set off when she gets upset overhearing her arranged fiancé call her ugly after they meet for the first time -- but even then, her first instinct is to [[ItsAllMyFault blame herself]] for not being a worthy bride instead of getting angry at him for being shallow.

* FaceOfAThug/RealLife

Compare DeathGlare, FrozenFace, GentleGiant, TheGrotesque, MisunderstoodLonerWithAHeartOfGold, HeroWithBadPublicity. Subtrope of PaperTiger (except in those cases where kind-but-scary-looking characters [[BewareTheNiceOnes suddenly become truly as scary as they look]]). A frequent subversion of ScaryBlackMan. When an actor has this, they'll often be type-cast as thugs.

* In ''Fanfic/LiveAHero'', Izuku is eerily pale-skinned, frightfully thin, CoveredInScars, and has a habit of [[KnifeNut playing with and sharpening knives in plain sight]]. Despite it all, he wants to be a Hero.

* ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'': The Pau'an as a whole LooksLikeOrlok, with gray skin, sunken red-rimmed eyes, long gnarled fingers and limbs, and a mouth full of razor-sharp fangs. Despite their ghastly appearances, they're capable of being perfectly friendly, as shown with [[NiceGuy Tion Medon]], who greets Obi-Wan and is happy to help him track down General Grievous despite worrying about the potential battle that could break out in the city.
** That being said, in the ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'', there was at least one Sith Lord among that race, Darth Desolous from ''VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed''.
** [[ArcVillain The Grand Inquisitor]] from ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'' is also a very bad individual who definitely looks the part, but he used to play this trope straight when he was a Jedi.

Compare DeathGlare, FrozenFace, GentleGiant, TheGrotesque, MisunderstoodLonerWithAHeartOfGold, HeroWithBadPublicity. Subtrope of PaperTiger. A frequent subversion of ScaryBlackMan. When an actor has this, they'll often be type-cast as thugs.

Please note that it doesn't necessarily mean "ugly", even though most of the examples below are. It's more about looking threatening than actually looking unattractive, and it's possible to look both handsome and fearsome. Indeed, there are situations where the scary-looking character is found attractive as a ''result'' of being scary-looking (e.g. AllGirlsWantBadBoys), which can in turn lead to the infatuated party [[LovingAShadow being disappointed by how non-scary the crush really is underneath]].

Please note that it doesn't necessarily mean "ugly", even though most of the examples below are. It's more about looking threatening than actually looking bad, and it's possible to look both handsome and fearsome. Indeed, there are situations where the scary-looking character is found attractive as a ''result'' of being scary-looking (e.g. AllGirlsWantBadBoys), which can in turn lead to the infatuated party [[LovingAShadow being disappointed by how non-scary the crush really is underneath]].

** In ''VisualNovel/TheGreatAceAttorney'', it's immediately clear why Barok van Ziek is known [[TheDreaded the Reaper of the Old Bailey]]. He's [[EvilIsBigger towering]], dressed like Dracula; and though he's clearly very handsome despite the RuggedScar between the eyes, he seems incapable of expressions other than [[IcyBlueEyes icy-eyed]] {{Death Glare}}s and menacing {{Kubrick Stare}}s. Even after he proves DarkIsNotEvil, Ryunosuke is still terrified to make eye contact with the man he's dubbed the "'Least Approachable Man in the World' winner, ten years in a row."