Why We Love the Wicked

Everybody says they want the good guys to win. But it’s the wicked who keep us turning the page.

We cheer for justice, but it’s the villains who hold our attention. Because the wicked cross lines we only imagine. They do the things we swear we never would—and then make us wonder if that’s really true.

The wicked are dangerous, sure. But they’re also magnetic. They make a story unpredictable. They force us to stare at the dark corners of ourselves we’d rather ignore. And that’s why, no matter how much we claim to hate them, we keep coming back.

We can’t get enough of them. And they’re fun as hell to write, because you never know what they’re gonna say or do.

Why We Love Them

Transgression. The wicked break the rules we’re too afraid—or too decent—to break. They remind us what freedom looks like when it’s stripped of conscience.

Honesty. The wicked don’t wear masks. They’re upfront about their hunger, their greed, their cruelty. They show their teeth, while “good people” hide theirs behind polite smiles.

Reflection. Every wicked act makes us ask: What would I do in their shoes? Would I be any better? Sometimes the answer unsettles us. Sometimes it excites us.

Tension. The wicked tilt the story off balance. When they walk into a room, you know something’s going to happen—but not what. And that’s the hook.

Charisma. Some of the worst people are also the most magnetic. They make us laugh. They charm us. They make us want to believe them, even when we know better.

Southern Noir Lens

In Southern noir, wickedness isn’t a shadowy figure in an alleyway. It’s closer to home.

It’s the preacher who thunders about sin on Sunday morning and hides his own on Saturday night. It’s the sheriff who knows which side of the county line to look away from. It’s the cousin everybody defends—until the truth comes out. It’s family. It’s neighbors. It’s the people you wave to on the porch.

And that’s why it sticks. Because the wicked aren’t strangers. They’re familiar. They’re trusted. Sometimes, they’re loved.

Final Word

We love the wicked because they show us what happens when the mask comes off. They remind us that every human heart has cracks, and some folks are brave—or reckless—enough to let the rot show.

In noir, the wicked keep the story breathing. They’re the danger, the fire, the spark.

And the truth is, we don’t just fear them. We can’t look away from them.