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"Mature Content Warning!" |
Easily one of the worst and most despicable villains Rockstar has created.
My second proposal for a video game villain and easily the darkest one I've made on this wiki. This one is specifically for the Halloween theme, and I have others I plan to make. This candidate is weak, but it might qualify; it's worth a shot.
What’s the Work?
Manhunt is an stealth and survival horror game created by the legendary Rockstar, the same creators of GTA and Bully. The game focuses on the protagonist: James Earl Cash, who was about to be executed by death penalty but is saved by Lionel Starkweather, where he will have to face several ruthless gangs through his sinister footage.
Who's the Candidate?
Lionel Starkweather is the game's main villain. He was a failed film director who began making darker films when he took over Carcer City, one of the darkest and most corrupt cities in gaming and fiction in general. He orders Cash's fake death and has him participate in his macabre snuff films in which Cash must face off against gangs and corrupt Carcer City police.
What Makes Him Pathetic?
- He is a cruel and sadistic snuff film director who created several repulsive snuff films in Carcer City.
- Although he was a successful film director but fell into disgrace and ostracism, this doesn't even come close to justifying his horrific actions, as he was possibly already a bad person in the past and now he has become worse.
- He makes Cash face several dangerous and cruel gangs in the game, taking sadistic pleasure in watching Cash kill several gang members.
- He is the one who created Pigsy, a mentally unbalanced killer who wears a pig's head as a mask. Where Lionel would lock him in his basement and feed him human flesh.
- Even though his death was horrific and violent, it's not interpreted sympathetically; it's even karmic due to the horrific actions he committed.
- Although the game has several repugnant villains, Lionel easily stands out as directly responsible for the game's events and the many horrible things that happen.
What Makes Him a Pinhead?
- He's neither charismatic nor a master manipulator, as he manages to hire the police and gangs because of his position of power and money. He also had help from others like Mr. Nasty.
- In one recording, he's somewhat hostile toward Gary, the Carcer City police chief, who could easily get rid of him if Gary weren't an extremely corrupt and greedy scoundrel.
- Even knowing how dangerous Cash was, he continues filming and lets him live for a while. Until Cash gets tired of him and goes after him for revenge.
- When Cash finally enters his mansion, he doesn't even try to escape, thinking the Cerberus will simply kill him. This is what causes his horrible death when Cash breaks free of the obstacles and kills him.
Preventions/Mitigating Factors/Freudian Excuse?
If he ever had redeeming qualities, then he subverted them; he has none. He also has no comical or sympathetic moments.
The fact that he directed highly profitable films may indicate great intelligence and competence, but I disagree. There's no evidence at any point that his activities indicate much intelligence. Besides, he only managed to get as far as he did thanks to the help of other villains like Mr. Nasty, Ramirez, and Gary. He wouldn't have gotten very far without their help. Although the game is about exploration, it has a story (a very well-constructed story), so it's not just for shock value.
Intelligent/Charismatic/Master Manipulator? Not really. He can only run his "business" through money and help from others like Mr. Nasty. Furthermore, the Carcer City police force is extremely corrupt and easily compromised. This also rules out the possibility of him having charm or being manipulative as well. He doesn't seem like a smart guy; he thinks it's a good idea to provoke Cash during the game, and even when he goes after him, the idiot doesn't even try to escape the mansion and stays in the same place, relying on Cerberus's security, which ends up being killed by Cash (a guy who faced many dangerous villains in the game).
Final Verdict
Weak Yes to Lionel, but what do you think? And Happy Halloween early or late, I already forgot.