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10 | [[quoteright:250:[[VideoGame/{{Warcraft}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/arthasx2b250_1777.jpg]]]] |
11 | [[caption-width-right:250:[[{{Pun}} From]] a [[TheWisePrince nice prince]] to [[TheEvilPrince an ice prince]].]] |
12 | ->''"Yo, the superheroes have turned evil! Most uncool."'' |
13 | -->-- '''Ethan "Bubblegum" Tate''', ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' |
14 | |
15 | A good guy turns bad, the [[OppositeTropes opposite]] of the HeelFaceTurn. The ways in which this happens are many: |
16 | |
17 | * They have become a RivalTurnedEvil. |
18 | * They have lost perspective, becoming a WellIntentionedExtremist or KnightTemplar. |
19 | * Something horrible has happened that [[DespairEventHorizon shattered their faith in good]], and they have become a FallenHero. |
20 | * [[AmbitionIsEvil Lust for power and fortune at any cost]] has brought out their worst. |
21 | * [[LoveMakesYouEvil Love has turned into a dangerously out-of-control obsession]]. |
22 | * NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished: [[BeingGoodSucks Too many of their good deeds having come back to bite them]] convinces them that being a hero is [[ThenLetMeBeEvil no longer worth it.]] |
23 | * Their allies have [[DividedWeFall made life too difficult]] or out-and-out [[EtTuBrute betrayed them]]. |
24 | * They've [[BewareTheNiceOnes snapped]] after one too many rounds of [[BreakTheCutie being put through hell]]. |
25 | * [[DudeWheresMyRespect Getting no thanks for their work]] or even [[HeroWithBadPublicity a bad reputation]] instead pushes them into a MistreatmentInducedBetrayal. |
26 | * {{Revenge}} has [[HeWhoFightsMonsters twisted them into something as bad as, if not worse than, their original enemy]]. |
27 | * They have gone DrunkWithPower. |
28 | * They made a DealWithTheDevil and did something [[MoralEventHorizon truly heinous]] to cement their allegiance to their new master, turning on their former friends. |
29 | * They fell prey to TheCorrupter[=/=]TheCorruption, which brought out the worst in them. |
30 | * They spent too long [[ToKnowHimIMustBecomeHim in the villain's headspace]] or among villains, leading to BecomingTheMask. |
31 | * One or more villains [[MoreThanMindControl made a convincing argument]] ([[VillainHasAPoint and may actually be right]]). |
32 | * They committed a small act of evil, leading to more and bigger acts as the hero started SlowlySlippingIntoEvil. |
33 | * Their MoralityChain was killed or seriously harmed. Or was abandoned or betrayed them. |
34 | * The other heroes collectively went through any combination of the above (while remaining protagonists), and they did not. |
35 | |
36 | This is the EvilCounterpart to the more common HeelFaceTurn and is generally found in a story with BlackAndWhiteMorality. The many reasons and the probability for a turn are listed in the SortingAlgorithmOfFaceHeelTurning. |
37 | |
38 | In a world full of {{Brainwashed}} victims, they may be the one who appears to be but really is NotBrainwashed. |
39 | |
40 | The term "Face Heel Turn" comes from ProfessionalWrestling, in which a "good" wrestler (a {{face}}) is occasionally tempted by TheDarkSide, or just gets fed up, and becomes a "bad" wrestler (a {{heel}}). Magazines and other promotional material from the various wrestling "leagues" frequently comment on various wrestlers' changes in "alignment" (in wrestling's fictional plotline known as {{kayfabe}}) nearly as frequently as they actually cover events in the ring themselves. (They even use phrases like "Face Heel Turn", though the shorter "Heel Turn" is more common.) |
41 | |
42 | A wrestler's heel turn is often a sign that they are about to see their popularity skyrocket. Indeed, it is very common, once they have turned, to remain heels for their entire careers. Heels that become ''really'' popular may end up "naturally" becoming faces again, but it is just as likely for heels to be beloved ''because'' [[LoveToHate they are heels]]. In fact, as paradoxical as it might seem, a heel turn can help an otherwise despised wrestler become likable: fans may well resent a face character, and may be better able to relate to a character who is [[ThisLoserIsYou profoundly flawed in one way or another]]. (After all, that's what satire is all about.) |
43 | |
44 | Note that a Face-Heel Turn is harder to pull off than a HeelFaceTurn -- at least convincingly. If a character is introduced as likable and heroic, it takes some good writing to properly take them through the CharacterDevelopment required to become a villain. Simply {{Foreshadowing}} that a character could turn evil is not enough. The work has to be put in to get the character to that destination; there are plenty of wrestling examples where this hasn't been done, or the reasons for the turn are so badly thought out that the fans reject it, and the wrestler turns back face shortly after. |
45 | |
46 | Contrast: |
47 | * TheMole: The Mole was always working for the BigBad from the beginning, whereas a character making a Face Heel Turn was a genuine good guy until their change of heart. |
48 | * ForcedIntoEvil, whereas the character was still a genuinely good guy, but had his own reasons to be on the bad guys' side [[TokenGoodTeammate while still maintaining a good heart]], whereas a character who did a Face Heel Turn is a character who not only goes to the bad guys' side, but also become a genuine bad guy at heart. A character Forced Into Evil can be said to be about halfway froom doing a full Heel Turn, but not a full turn yet like the ones in this page (given time, however, they may make a full turn in the future). |
49 | * FaceMonsterTurn, which has ''many'' subtropes. The character really has no choice about becoming evil, because they are Brainwashed, [[AndThenJohnWasAZombie literally turned into monsters]], [[DemonicPossession are possessed]], or some other reason. |
50 | * FakeDefector, where someone on the side of good infiltrates the villains' side by pretending to do such a turn. |
51 | * EvilAllAlong, in which the character was, well, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin evil all along]], but not necessarily working ''for'' the villain, like TheMole. |
52 | |
53 | Compare ProtagonistJourneyToVillain, a plot which utilizes this trope as the entire character and story arc. BigBadSlippage, where the BigBad does this over the course of the story, is a SubTrope. |
54 | |
55 | See also HeelFaceRevolvingDoor, NeutralNoLonger, DealWithTheDevil, WeUsedToBeFriends, StartOfDarkness and EtTuBrute. If the turn takes place extremely abruptly, it may include JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope. If after the turn, there are still past rivalries with their new potential allies they can't overcome, see PersonalHateBeforeCommonGoals. |
56 | |
57 | Not to be confused with EvilAllAlong, in which a character that was thought to be good was [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin evil all along]]. This trope describes a legitimate hero going to the dark side, not a DoubleAgent. |
58 | |
59 | '''Due to the nature of this trope, ''MAJOR UNMARKED SPOILERS ahead!''''' |
60 | |
61 | In RealLife, the nature of HeelFaceTurn and Face-Heel Turn is subjective (one person's "heartless betrayal" is another person's "seeing the light", [[HazyFeelTurn depending on what group the individual is going to or leaving]]). Therefore, '''Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease''' |
62 | |
63 | [[noreallife]] |
64 | ---- |
65 | |
66 | !!Example subpages: |
67 | |
68 | [[index]] |
69 | * FaceHeelTurn/AnimeAndManga |
70 | * FaceHeelTurn/ComicBooks |
71 | * FaceHeelTurn/FanWorks |
72 | * FaceHeelTurn/{{Film}} |
73 | * FaceHeelTurn/{{Literature}} |
74 | * FaceHeelTurn/LiveActionTV |
75 | * FaceHeelTurn/{{Music}} |
76 | * FaceHeelTurn/ProfessionalWrestling |
77 | * FaceHeelTurn/TabletopGames |
78 | * FaceHeelTurn/VideoGames |
79 | * FaceHeelTurn/{{Webcomics}} |
80 | * FaceHeelTurn/WebOriginal |
81 | * FaceHeelTurn/WesternAnimation |
82 | [[/index]] |
83 | |
84 | !!Other examples: |
85 | |
86 | [[foldercontrol]] |
87 | |
88 | [[folder:Asian Animation]] |
89 | * In ''Animation/PleasantGoatAndBigBigWolf: Mighty Little Defenders'', General Wolf/Chapper used to be a friendly wolf who supported peace between goats and wolves with the help of his goat friend Gogoa. After he got shot with a laser gun, he thought Gogoa was the one who shot him (Gogoa was actually framed for it). A month later, Chapper woke up to find out that the wolf tribe had lost and the leader had died. Chapper found out that Gogoa had left Goats' Village and Chapper was not welcome in the village. These events turned General Wolf against Gogoa and the other goats and he became determined to get revenge. |
90 | [[/folder]] |
91 | |
92 | [[folder:Mythology and Religion]] |
93 | * In UsefulNotes/{{Christianity}}, [[{{Satan}} Lucifer]] was an Angel who led a rebellion against God -- in some versions he wanted to take God's place, in others, he refused to acknowledge humans as God's beloved creations, among numerous other reasons -- and was, together with all other rebel Angels, sent to hell, where they all become demons. Which makes this trope OlderThanFeudalism. This betrayal has been captured in Creator/AlexandreCabanel's ''Art/TheFallenAngel'' (1847). |
94 | * UsefulNotes/{{Islam}}'s story is slightly different from Christianity's: Satan (called "Iblis" in Arabic) was never an angel, but a Djinn near God. He fell because of his pride, and not acknowledging that humans now were in a higher position with God than he used to be. He did not challenge God Himself, but His influence on mankind, saying he'll sway humanity to corruption, and will show humans are no better. Unlike Christianity, he will not become a demon; he'll just be sentenced to eternity in Hell. |
95 | * ''Literature/TheBible'': |
96 | ** There's Cain killing his brother Abel. |
97 | ** The once-wise Solomon becomes corrupt. |
98 | ** Judas Iscariot, whose betrayal led to UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}}'s capture and crucifixion by the Romans. Though in a few {{Alternative Character Interpretation}}s , most notably Gnosticism, Judas actually betrayed Jesus on request in order to ensure Jesus was captured, killed, and resurrected as planned. |
99 | * Myth/NorseMythology: Loki was a trickster god, but he was Odin's brother-in-arms, and although he often caused trouble, he also helped the gods. He then conspired to kill Balder out of jealousy (since he was loved by everyone), and he made sure that Balder stayed dead. Shortly later, Loki kills another god's servant during a feast because everyone were praising his good work, and he is kicked out of the hall. Loki, though, goes back into the hall, reminding Odin he promised they would always drink beer together, and begins insulting the gods in their faces, until Thor kicks him out again. In retaliation for his insults and Baldur's murder, Loki is bound naked to some boulders with the entrails of his own son while a snake drips venom into his face. When Loki gets free, he will orchestrate the end of the world in retaliation. |
100 | * Myth/EgyptianMythology: Set, the god of foreigners. He was known for protecting Egypt with the desert and the sun god Ra by fighting the {{god of evil}} Apep. Then he became overcome by envy and murdered his brother Osiris, which eventually led to his downfall at the hands of Osiris's son Horus and the goddess Bast taking over his Apep fighting job. |
101 | * In Myth/GuatusoMythology the Gods sent four prophets to warn humanity that the world would be destroyed if they didn't change their wicked ways. The first one, Tíyeúnhe, gave in to temptation and joined them, because of this, the second and third prophets killed him through sorcery. |
102 | [[/folder]] |
103 | |
104 | [[folder:Theatre]] |
105 | * In the back story of Creator/{{Euripides}}' ''Hecuba'', Achilles, hero of ''Literature/TheIliad'', defected to Troy after falling in love with Trojan princess Polyxena. And then his would-be brother-in-law Paris shot him in his AchillesHeel ''at the wedding'', and everything went pear-shaped for the Trojans. |
106 | * Invoked by Pulitzer in ''Theatre/{{Newsies}}'', by threatening to have the Newsies arrested if Jack doesn't agree to end the strike. In exchange, Jack tries to argue against ''his own cause'' at the rally ''he organized'', despite protests from Spot and Davey. Luckily, Katherine talks him down, and he relents. |
107 | * This is essentially the entire plot of ''Theatre/SweeneyToddTheDemonBarberOfFleetStreet'' as the protagonist begins a sympathetic AntiHero, progresses into AntiVillain territory over the length of the first act, and finally crosses the MoralEventHorizon with gusto by intermission, largely due to SanitySlippage. |
108 | * ''Theatre/WesterosAnAmericanMusical'': What is seen of Theon Greyjoy's story in the play can be summed up as this. When first seen, Theon is fighting alongside Robb and trying to petition his father Balon, an old enemy of Robb's family, to fight alongside Robb. Balon unfortunately decides he'd rather have a second round against Robb's family instead. Last Theon is heard of, he's reported to have captured Robb's hometown for Balon. |
109 | * Elphaba from ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'' fits this trope, after having everything she tries spectacularly backfire on her, and having everyone she loves die all around her, she snaps during the song 'No Good Deed' dedicating herself to a lifetime of evil. Almost immediately subverted when she is shown to be just very, very pissed off, but not actually evil a mere song later. |
110 | ** Nessarose, her sister, goes from a bratty but well-meaning child to the Wicked Witch of the East who, unlike is closer to the [[Film/TheWizardOfOz the film's]] portrayal of her than Elphaba. She is named governor of Munchkinland and uses the position to strip away their power in order to keep her husband Boq from leaving her, and when he tries, [[spoiler:she removes his heart, turns him into the Tin Man, and blames it on Elphaba]]. Likewise, Boq goes from a shy boy with a crush on Galinda to [[spoiler:a far more murderous version of the Tin Man, who declares "for once I'm glad I'm heartless -- I'll be heartless killing her!"]]. |
111 | [[/folder]] |
112 | |
113 | [[folder:Visual Novels]] |
114 | * Discussed in ''VisualNovel/DoubleHomework''. According to Marco, this is what happened to Dennis after he’d been fixing his classmates’ computers for no apparent reward. |
115 | [[/folder]] |
116 | |
117 | [[folder:Web Animation]] |
118 | * ''WebAnimation/TheMostEpicStoryEverToldInAllOfHumanHistory'': [[TokenRobot Epic Robot Guy]] is a good guy in episode three, "The Most Epic Superhero Origin Story Ever", who becomes a villain by the time of episode five, "The Most Epic Crime-Stopping Mission Ever". This is {{Lampshaded}} InUniverse with the text “he became a bad guy! Dun dun dunnn!” written next to him when he appears. |
119 | * ''WebAnimation/RedVsBlue'': After one too many betrayals and being imprisoned after all his efforts to bring down the Director, Agent Washington snaps and decides to capture Epsilon for the Chairman so he'll finally be allowed to leave Project Freelancer and the UNSC behind, even if it means he'll have to kill the Reds and Blues to do it. Getting double-crossed by [[TheBrute the Meta]] and having the Reds and Blues save him once more causes Wash to change his mind and realign with the heroes against the Director. |
120 | * ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': |
121 | ** According to [[BigGood Ozpin]], Lionheart was a different person before joining [[BigBad Salem]] and he seemed just as loyal as Team RWBY appears to be in the present. The second season of ''WebVideo/RWBYTheGrimmCampaign'', which depicts the Kuchinashi incident and takes place two years before the beginning of the main series ends with him sending Huntsmen reinforcements to help deal with the Wave crime syndicate that's left in Kuchinashi after their leader is killed. [[spoiler:By the start of the main series, he begins feeding Salem the locations of every Huntsman in the kingdom to have them all killed, and he enrolls Cinder's team into Haven Academy with forged transcripts so that they can sabotage Beacon Academy from within. During the Battle of Haven, he learns Oscar's identity and contemplates capturing him for Salem, hoping he can finally be freed from the torment of working for her. By then, he's become a person that Ozpin no longer recognises.]] |
122 | ** Ironwood first appears as one of [[BigGood Ozpin's]] most trusted allies and someone who desperately wants to protect the world from [[BigBad Salem]]. The events of Volume 3 leave him traumatised from the way the villains exploit him and his army to harm Vale; he becomes increasingly authoritarian and controlling, such as closing the Atlesian borders and imposing curfews. Four volumes later, the heroes become increasingly concerned about his decisions until he finally snaps from a combination of learning that Salem can't be killed and the villains pressing his TraumaButton one too many times. [[spoiler:Pushed over the edge into villainy, he fulfills Oscar's prediction of becoming as dangerous as Salem by temporarily replacing the BigBad as Volume 8's ArcVillain.]] |
123 | * ''WebAnimation/PaperPuppets'': Ukulele falls to this trope when [[DarkActionGirl Slipper]] gives her a makeover to look edgy and emo. |
124 | * ''WebAnimation/Supermarioglitchy4sSuperMario64Bloopers'': [[spoiler:Enzo. He used to be a friendly guy and was being nice to other people until in "Birthday Freakout", after [[IdiotHero Mario]] ruins his birthday party. From then on he becomes a villain and is determined to kill Mario and the rest of the main cast. He is also actually revealed to be the [[SerialKiller shady black figure]] in "The Visitor" (2014).]] |
125 | * ''WebAnimation/TrickMoon'': Prior to the events of the short, Mage trapped Prince in the Moonstone and left the group to join [[BigBad Dr. Bleak]]. |
126 | [[/folder]] |
127 |
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