This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

Movie villains display higher incidence of dermatologic findings than heroes

A majority of the top American film villains displayed significant dermatologic findings compared with film heroes, which may contribute to prejudice directed at those with skin disease, according to study results published in JAMA Dermatology.

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study to identify the dermatologic finding for the all-time top 10 American film villains and heroes, which were compared quantitatively and qualitatively. The American Film Institute 100 Greatest Heroes and Villains List was used.

Researchers used the color film or colorized version of the black and white film, and if no colorized version was available, they studied the color theatrical release poster to examine dermatologic characteristics of the heroes and villains.

Dermatologic findings, which were located on the head and scalp, were evident on six of the all-time top 10 American villains. The findings include cosmetically significant alopecia (30%), periorbital hypopigmentation (30%), deep rhytides (20%) multiple facial scars (20%), verruca vulgaris on the face (20%) and rhinophyma (10%). Gray-hued or unnatural skin color were reported for three villains.

Alopecia was evident in villains Dr. Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs;” Mr. Potter in “It’s a Wonderful Life;” and the unmasked Darth Vader in “Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.”

Hypopigmented skin was seen in film villains including Regan MacNeil in “The Exorcist.”

Villains with facial scars included Darth Vader and Regan MacNeil. Deep rhytides were seen in The Queen as “the old hag villain” in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Facial verruca is exhibited by the Wicked Witch of West in “The Wizard of Oz.”

There was a higher incidence of significant dermatologic findings in the 10 film villains compared with the film heroes (60% vs. 0%; P = .03).

Two film heroes demonstrated dermatologic skin findings localized to the face, Indiana Jones in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and Rick Blaine in “Casablanca,” who both exhibit facial scars. However, the facial scars of the heroes are subtler and shorter than the villains, the researchers noted.

“The results of this study demonstrate Hollywood’s tendency to depict skin disease in an evil context, the implications which extend beyond the theater,” the researchers wrote. “Rooted richly in culture, art and early film history, these dermatologic findings are used primarily to elucidate the dichotomy of good and evil through visual representation and may foster a tendency toward prejudice in our society directed at those with skin disease.” – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.