History Main / TheDarksiDe

** Naturally appears aplenty in ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', with its Jedi themes. The Sith in general appear to like to be as evil as possible, and their view on how it's ''rational'' to do things may even be corrupted by the Dark Side. There are a couple of occasions where you are questioned about the right course of action to take from a Sith perspective, and the right option always seems to be the most evil one available. For example, they rationalise why you need to do the YouHaveFailedMe trope, and make sure to ShootTheDog even if it's not strictly necessary. There's also the story of Darth Revan, where it's not entirely clear whether the fallen Jedi with fearsome intellect and immensely strong personality was a puppet of the Dark Side or made it his puppet; it has been suggested that his plan of becoming the galaxy's bad guy in order to [[WellIntentionedExtremist toughen up the Republic for the inevitable invasion of the True Sith]] was really a rational move, but then again, that's exactly what he would think if he was corrupted by the Dark Side in the way described above. It's even mentioned that [[ThisIsYourBrainOnEvil using the Dark Side actually changes a person's neurological patterns, much like prolonged drug use]].

* ''Franchise/StarWars'' is the TropeNamer, with the Dark Side being an aspect of the Force that affords prodigious and unnatural power. In the films, its most prominent user is Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, followed closely by Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious. The common theme to the Dark Side is temptation; it's a quick path to power, it [[ThePowerOfHate feeds on and enhances negativity]], and it's [[DrunkWithPower incredibly addictive]] -- and gets more addictive the more you use it. Prolonged use also has physical consequences (''e.g.'' Palpatine's disfiguration in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith''). For most users, once you've gone to the Dark Side, you can't come back -- Anakin's redemption is long, meandering, unprecedented, and [[RedemptionEqualsDeath fatal]]. The key is to resist the temptation in the first place, as Luke did. The ''Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse'' introduces many more Dark Side users and explores the phenomenon in more depth, and Kylo Ren from the sequel trilogy shows some surprising PragmaticVillainy, suggesting a level of emotional control over his Dark Side powers that's unique among its users and {{subver|sion}}ting the franchise's trend of BadPowersBadPeople.

* In ''ComicBook/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'', the Dark World feeds on the more unpleasant emotions, threatening to turn Link into a beast a few times. The hotheaded Roam is even more susceptible.

** The so-called True Power, which is drawn directly from [[SatanExpy the Dark One]], is highly addictive. Only the very upper echelon of the Dark One's flunkies are allowed to use it, and only one of them does so on a more than completely desperate basis, as they're all afraid of the side effect: [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity going utterly around the bend]] (the one who ''does'' use it is already nuts and a major nihilist to boot--he doesn't care about the consequences).

* Comicbook/TheSentry is a SupermanSubstitute, with all the unbelievable power it implies. Unfortunadely, this also brought out a destructive part of himself known as The Void, that caused an evil act for every good one the Sentry did. And [[EnemyWithout sometimes it manifests as a separate entity]].

* ''Franchise/StarWars'' is the TropeNamer, with the Dark Side being an aspect of the Force that affords affords prodigious and unnatural power. In the films, its most prominent user is Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, followed closely by Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious. The common theme to the Dark Side is temptation; it's a quick path to power, it [[ThePowerOfHate feeds on and enhances negativity]], and it's [[DrunkWithPower incredibly addictive]] -- and gets more addictive the more you use it. Prolonged use also has physical consequences (''e.g.'' Palpatine's disfiguration in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith''). For most users, once you've gone to the Dark Side, you can't come back -- Anakin's redemption is long, meandering, unprecedented, and [[RedemptionEqualsDeath fatal]]. The key is to resist the temptation in the first place, as Luke did. The ''Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse'' introduces many more Dark Side users and explores the phenomenon in more depth, and Kylo Ren from the sequel trilogy shows some surprising PragmaticVillainy, suggesting a level of emotional control over his Dark Side powers that's unique among its users and {{subver|sion}}ting the franchise's trend of BadPowersBadPeople.

->''"If you only knew the power of the Dark Side!"''
-->-- '''[[TheDragon Darth Vader]]''', ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack''

* Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader is by far the most famous ''Franchise/StarWars'' example, but there are plenty of others in the [[Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse Expanded Universe]]. (See also under video games.) Furthermore, if Darth Vader is the primary example, Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious is the immediate second who arguably embodies the Dark Side more than anyone, including Vader. According to the source material, the Dark Side of the Force is powerfully addictive, since not only does it give you visibly stronger powers (at first), it also is a tremendous rush: it doesn't just feed off of negative emotions, it enhances them to some degree, and the more you use it, the more susceptible you are to continued use, like an addict. There's plenty of evidence to show it can be resisted and fought off, but that's like asking a recovering heroin addict to hold on to some heroin for a while: you ARE taking a chance that he will use it.
** The Dark Side is also shown to be physically destructive to those who use it past a certain point. Using Force Lightning caused Palpatine to be disfigured into the familiar, warped condition of the Emperor from the original trilogy, and Anakin's skin and eyes were severely discolored before his final duel with Obi Wan.
** Considered by itself, ''Episode VII: Film/TheForceAwakens'' actually {{avert|edTrope}}s this: [[spoiler:Kylo Ren has spent quite enough time serving the Dark Side of the Force, and he is intellectually convinced that this is the right thing to do-- but it has not corrupted him into total evil and made him forget his human attachments. Instead he is still, in an ironic inversion, tempted by good]].
*** With this fact taken into consideration. The Dark Side itself isn't inheritently evil [[SubvertedTrope ironically enough]]. As explained, it can be very addictive like smoking or drugs. Going overboard like Palpatine makes one go insane, but a healthy (or at least moderate) use makes the Dark Side more akin to sugar or caffeine if anything.

-->'''Mr. Krabs:''' "Why should I pay to light the whole restaurant?"

Contrary to what the WellIntentionedExtremist and AntiHero [[ItsTheOnlyWay might say]], you ''cannot'' [[EvilVersusEvil "fight the Dark Side with the Dark Side"]] -- HeroicWillpower notwithstanding, the consequences will inevitably lead to the user's PyrrhicVillainy.

* Used straight and subverted in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': gaining Hollow powers raises people's upper power (it is stated that shinigami have a maximum power they can attain) and allows them great spiritual growth. But it also risks giving into your SuperPoweredEvilSide for a world-class FreakOut. The Vizard thoroughly beat their dark sides into submission in order to access the power safely, and teach others in their dilemma how to do the same; however, not all people who gain Hollow powers ''want'' to suppress The Dark Side.

** Naturally appears aplenty in ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', with its Jedi themes. The Sith in general appear to like to be as evil as possible, and their view on how it's ''rational'' to do things may even be corrupted by the Dark Side. There are a couple of occasions where you are questioned about the right course of action to take from a Sith perspective, and the right option always seems to be the most evil one available. For example, they rationalise why you need to do the YouHaveFailedMe trope, and make sure to ShootTheDog even if it's not strictly necessary. There's also the story of Darth Revan, where it's not entirely clear whether the fallen Jedi with fearsome intellect and immensely strong personality was a puppet of the Dark Side or made it his puppet; it has been suggested that his plan of becoming the galaxy's bad guy in order to toughen up the Republic for the inevitable invasion of the True Sith was really a rational move, but then again, that's exactly what he would think if he was corrupted by the Dark Side in the way described above.
** During the game the player can decide to go full dark side, who will grant alternate quests, dialogue and the Dark side ending choice in the late game, where on [[spoiler: top of the ancient temple of Rakata Prime the player can decide to take up Bastila's offer and strike down his jedi companions in order to reclaim the lost title of Dark Lord of the Sith, this leads to the republic fleet getting obliterated by the Sith fleet and Jedi master Vandar dies, after that Revan kills Malak, finally he goes on the Ancient Temple where he's finally recognized as the Dark Lord of the Sith, as the Republic fleet is crippled for the losses, Revan builds an immense fleet from the Star Forge to conquer the galaxy]]
** After the third planet [[spoiler: the player discovers that they're Darth Revan, reprogrammed by the Jedi, aside from being angry to Bastila because she hid the truth, the player can later further go into villainy (especially if previously light side centered), and gives alternate responses from main quests, where Revan can tell Uthar Wynn on Korriban that they're Darth Revan, and he decides to pledge his allegiance to him]]
** ''VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed'' In the alternate ending of you can choose to [[spoiler:kill Darth Vader and take his place as the Emperor's right-hand man. However, you then decide to kill the Emperor to elevate yourself further, but he sees it coming and mangles you to the point that you had to be put into a suit like Vader was, and are forced to serve as his apprentice indefinitely.]]
** In ''VideoGame/JediAcademy'', the reason given to why your character is tempted by the Dark Side is his mounting anger towards a [[TheRival sort-of-friend who has been annoying and trying to beat him all along]], culminating with trying to kill him during his own momentary fall to the Dark Side. If you take the Dark Side option and have Jaden kill him, then instead of maybe going MyGodWhatHaveIDone or something else sensible after his anger fading, he will go on to decide he now wants power above all else and go after the villain not to stop her but to steal her ArtifactOfDoom. Apparently for a Jedi to become angry enough to kill a helpless prisoner automatically also makes them obsessed with power and others' weakness.

The [[TropeNamer trope is named]] after the dark side of yhe Force from ''Franchise/StarWars''.

* Raven in the first season ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' episode "Nevermore". Her inner darkness took control of her, that's why she pulled Dr. Light under her cloak with all the [[CombatTentacles black tentacles]] and did [[MindRape something horrible]] underneath. All with [[GlowingEyesOfDoom glowing]] [[RedEyesTakeWarning red eyes]] and the nastiest smile she's ever had in the show. It's a deep [[EnemyWithin internal struggle]] though, and she's mortified when she snaps out of it. Though the glow comes back and she snarls with sharp teeth when asked what she'd done to him.

The trope is named after the dark side of TheForce from ''Franchise/StarWars''.

* Free Magic in ''Literature/TheOldKingdom'' is like this. This power is the remains of the primordial magics that were not included in the creation of [[TheForce the Charter]], and are therefore inimical to life as we know it. Free Magic isn't ''evil'', exactly, but it's an extremely destructive, chaotic, and dangerous power, being the source of power for numerous hostile entities (including TheUndead) and prone to causing side-effects like madness and megalomania in those mortals who try to harness it. It's more of an OrderVsChaos situation and even Charter magic can be dangerous for the untrained.

*** With this fact taken into consideration. The Dark Side itself isn't inheritently evil [[SubvertedTrope ironically enough]]. As explained, it can be very addictive like smoking or drugs. Going overboard like Palpatine makes one go insane, but a healthy (or at least moderate) use makes the Dark Side more akin to sugar if anything.

** Happens quite a bit to radical Inquisitors, who feel that using demonic powers or weapons to fight Chaos is a good idea, and don't quite understand that those are in fact good ways to get corrupted ''by'' Chaos. Especially because many Radicals have to employ evil methods to ''acquire'' such means.
** Focusing on ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' specifically; An excellent example of the power of Chaos, is the Literature/HorusHeresy novel ''Fulgrim''. Fulgrim starts out as a Primarch, the settings' equivalent of a human archangel, and a great lover of art of all kinds. In the end, the least of his depravities is creating art with the blood and screams of his victims. Throughout Fulgrim's descent into madness, he never fully realized what was happening, and every step on the way makes absolute, reasonable, bone-chilling ''sense''.

* Somewhat predictably for the setting, ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' takes this trope and hurls it screaming over the edge in the form of Chaos. The result? There's no Light Side--only a sort of Gray Side, and the actual Dark Side is ''sentient''. A sentient, extremely intelligent, masterfully manipulative, and very powerful Dark Side that occasionally takes matters into its own hands when mortal pawns aren't getting the job done. However, the greatest defense everybody has against Chaos is itself, since it or its [[GodOfEvil major manifestations]] will always turn on itself(/each other).

** An excellent example of the power of Chaos, is the Literature/HorusHeresy novel ''Fulgrim''. Fulgrim starts out as a Primarch, the settings' equivalent of a human archangel, and a great lover of art of all kinds. In the end, the least of his depravities is creating art with the blood and screams of his victims. Throughout Fulgrim's descent into madness, he never fully realized what was happening, and every step on the way makes absolute, reasonable, bone-chilling ''sense''.

* In ''Webcomic/ComingUpViolet'' high school popularity is treated a lot like this. This is made all too evident when [[spoiler:Abby]] tries to convince [[spoiler:Violet]] to usurp the AlphaBitch's power and ends up sounding very much like [[StarWars Chancellor Palpatine]].

** Considered by itself, ''Episode VII: Film/TheForceAwakens'' actually {{avert|edTrope}}s this: [[spoiler:Kylo Ren has spent quite enough time serving the Dark Side of the Force, and he is intellectually convinced that this is the right thing to do-- but it has not corrupted him into total evil and made him forget his human attachments. Instead he is still, in an ironic inversion, tempted by the Light Side.]]

The trope is named after the dark side of TheForce from ''StarWars''.

->''"You don't know the power of the Dark Side!"''
-->-- '''[[TheDragon Darth Vader]]''', ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi''

* Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader is by far the most famous ''Franchise/StarWars'' example, but there are plenty of others in the [[Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse Expanded Universe]]. (See also under video games.) Furthermore, if Darth Vader is the primary example, Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious is the immediate second who arguably embodies the Dark Side more than anyone, including Vader. According to the source material, the Dark Side of the Force is powerfully addictive, since not only does it give you visibly stronger powers (at first), it also is a tremendous rush: it doesn't just feed off of negative emotions, it enhances them to some degree, and the more you use it the more susceptible you are to continued use, like an addict. There's plenty of evidence to show it can be resisted and fought off, but that's like asking a recovering heroin addict to hold onto some heroin for awhile: you ARE taking a chance that he will use it.

** Considered by itself, ''Episode VII: Film/TheForceAwakens'' actually {{avert|edTrope}}s this: [[spoiler:Kylo Ren has spent quite enough time serving the Dark Side of the Force, and he is intellectually convinced that this is the right thing to do -- but it has not corrupted him into total evil and made him forget his human attachments. Instead he is still, in an ironic inversion, tempted by the Light Side.]]

* Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader is by far the most famous ''Franchise/StarWars'' example, but there are plenty of others in the [[Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse Expanded Universe]]. (See also under video games.) According to the source material, the Dark Side is powerfully addictive, since not only does it give you visibly stronger powers (at first), it also is a tremendous rush: it doesn't just feed off of negative emotions, it enhances them to some degree, and the more you use it the more susceptible you are to continued use, like an addict. There's plenty of evidence to show it can be resisted and fought off, but that's like asking a recovering heroin addict to hold onto some heroin for awhile: you ARE taking a chance that he will use it.

* While his name would not be enough reason to qualify as this trope, [[ComicBook/DCComics Darkseid]] was certainly one of many beings to successfully tempt Mary Marvel with powers that were sure to corrupt her.