Analyzing Evil: Francis Dolarhyde From Red Dragon 

Can you imagine, after enduring years of mental and physical abuse, completely ostracized by society and by self, finally coming to the realization (delusion) that you're actually above all of these people who tormented you so much, that you're a god among men and have power over life and death, only to have someone call you the Tooth Fairy?

Will Graham's comment about Francis in the book has always stuck with me: "As a child, my heart goes out to him. As an adult, he's irredeemable." I feel like that sentiment can apply to so many people - trauma profoundly shapes a person, but it's what you do with it that proves what kind of human being you are.

Considering he bites his victims and attacks on a full moon, I’m kinda surprised the press didn’t call him “The Werewolf Killer” or something.

As terrifying as Dolarhyde is, "The Tooth Fairy" has to be the least intimidating nickname for a serial killer ever.

”-life with his grandmother came with it’s own set of severe disadvantages” ”What disadvantages?” ”She’s insane”

Francis was a fantastic complimentary character to Hannibal. While Hannibal has full control of himself and does the things he does simply because he wants to. Francis is a man whom really just wanted to be loved but too much rejection and abuse fractured his mind.

The growth of this channel is staggering in just 2 years. Just shows how you've perfectly provided something that people want

Ralph Fiennes was born to play villains.

In the Red Dragon book Dolarhyde imitates his grandma's voice when he's in the Dragon personality.

Loved Noonan's portrayal. But Fiennes does a great job with his interpretation.

Francis's backstory sounds like something that an actual serial killer would've gone through as a child. I guess it makes sense that Thomas Harris based him off of a real serial killer much like he did with Buffalo Bill. On that note, when are we getting our Buffalo Bill video?

Another banger from the one and only Narrating Eye of the Vold, The Vile Eye. And even tho I do somewhat sympathize/feel bad for francis, it still doesn't justify his personal delusion/madness.

Thomas Harris can REALLY write convincing monsters. Love the book, the movie and show. I have seen manhunter, but it was like 25 years ago, I barely remember anything other than Tom Noonan being scary as hell.

Francis Dolarhyde is a tale of person who was born imperfect and the misery from the minds of others like his grandmother slowly turned him into a monster and that monster slowly consumed him until he meet someone who could've saved him from the Dragon's influence. But the damage was already done and in the end Francis was consumed by it. Another great video VE and my suggestions for the next video El Sueno from Wildlands Any FarCry villains

I loved the novel. That being said, two scenes from "Manhunter" are seared into my mind. Francis's reaction to Reba stroking the tiger. His expression is pure orgasm, seeing her acceptance and love for an apex predator. In the hotel when Will figures out that The Red Dragon has seen the films, his confidence, the inevitability, when he tells the evidence guy to peel back the label. Crawford reacts to Will with fear...and awe. Effing stunning acting! And the novel was not a page turner, it was a page burner. Compelling from cover to cover.

You should do Johan Leibert from Monster. Dude is the literal depiction of evil.

First Hannibal Lecter, now Francis Dolarhyde. You ought to make an analysis of Buffalo Bill and Mason Verger next! And maybe Vladis Grutas too. Thomas Harris is remarkably good at creating interesting and complex serial killer characters.

Fiennes is definitely my favorite take on the character. This also reminds me, I need to watch Red Dragon again.

The show Hannibal will forever be my favorite iteration of this series. It was tailored to perfection and nobody could change my mind.

The only problem I had with the depiction of Dolarhyde, was the fact, that in the book, he was described to jacked af.

The book (the true first Hannibal Lecter story, not SOTL) was amazing and creepy. I liked SOTL, but it just repeated the same formula from Red Dragon. Francis Dolarhyde was a great villain and Ralph did am amazing jon with him.

My compliments to you, another amazingly entertaining analysis. I was lucky enough to actually speak with Ralph Fiennes last year, telling him that his role as Francis Dolarhyde was amazing. He is truly a great actor. As for you Sir, please continue our entertainment for many years to come! All the best! A fan

I would love to hear your thoughts on these characters... Percy Wetmore and Wild Bill from "The Green Mile". Blanche and Jane Hudson from "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? " Randall Flagg from "The Stand" Greg Stillson from "The Dead Zone" Mrs. Camody from "The Mist" Alex Forrest from "Fatal Attraction" Henry Bowers from "It" Rhoda Penmark from "The Bad Seed" Harry Powell from "Night of the Hunter" Nino Brown from "New Jack City" Nina Myers from "24" Joan Crawford from "Mommie Dearest" Gollum from "The Lord of the Rings" Tyler Durden from "Fight Club" Cersei Lannister, Joffrey Baratheon, Littlefinger, Tywin Lannister, and Ramsey Bolton from "Game of Thrones" King Edward I aka "Longshanks" from "Braveheart" The Governor, Alpha, and Negan from "The Walking Dead" Gus Fring and The Salamancas from "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" Kilgrave from "Jessica Jones" Joe Goldberg from "You" Keyser Soze from "The Usual Suspects" Francie Brady from "The Butcher Boy" Dwight Hansen from "This Boy's Life" Betty Wendell from "THEM" Delores Umbridge from "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" John Ryder from "The Hitcher" Grandmother and Mother from "Flowers in the Attic" Carl Stargher from "The Cell" Barbara and Carol Denning from "OITNB"

We just need Voldemort to complete the trilogy of Ralph Fiennes villains

Thomas Shelby from the peaky blinders would be quite interesting watching his ruthless rise to power

that poor guy was so messed up he had no control of what he was doing. he tried to stop himself and didn't want to be bad, but he had too.

Actually, there is one person I can think of, from the Karate Kid trilogy, that is evil: Terry Silver, from Karate Kid 3. He's actually been added to the Cobra Kai series. If you decide to create an analysis of him, start with reviewing his character in Karate Kid 3 and then review his character in Cobra Kai.

I’d love to see an analyzing evil episode on Colin Sullivan from The Departed. The lengths he goes to to save his own skin is crazy.

Could you do a video on Dracula? Specifically from the adaptation by Francis Ford Coppola. I think it would make for an interesting video.

"He wasn't born a monster. Nobody is." As true as this is, it really makes me long for the time of John Carpenter's Halloween. Just once in a while I'd like to root against someone who was born bad instead of being moulded into a monster by trauma and abuse :(

Suggestions for more villains for Analyzing Evil * The Governor from The Walking Dead (TV show or comics) * Moriarty from Sherlock * Darkseid from The DCU * Senator Armstrong from Metal Gear Solid: Revengeance * Cersei Lannister or Gregor Clegane from A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones * Lord Shen from Kung Fu Panda 2 * Johan Liebert from Monster * Vicious from Cowboy Bebop * Sephiroth from Final Fantasy * Gendo Ikari from Neon Genesis Evangelion * Green Goblin or Doctor Octopus from the Spider-Man Trilogy and the MCU * Bowser from Super Mario Bros * Light Yagami from Death Note (Anime and manga) * Hans Gruber from Die Hard * Imhotep from The Mummy (1932 or 1999) * Frankenstein's Monster from Frankenstein (Mary Shelley's novel or the 1931 film) * Rebecca "Revy" Lee from Black Lagoon * Lelouch vi Britannia from Code Geass * Albert Wesker from Resident Evil * Aku from Samurai Jack * Henry Lee Lucas from Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer * Jason Voorhes from Friday the 13th * Nylarthotep from the Cthulhu Mythos * Lord Ozai from Avatar: The Last Airbender * Noatak/Amon from The Legend of Korra * Jacobim Mugatu from Zoolander * DIO from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure * Clarence Boddicker from RoboCop * Homelander from The Boys (2019) * The Onceler from The Lorax (novel and animated special) * The Grinch from The Grinch (animated special and live-action film) * Homura Akemi from Puella Magi Madoka Magica * Shere Khan from The Jungle Book (Disney) * Magneto from the X-Men Films * Gozer the Gozarian from Ghostbusters * William Afton from Five Nights at Freddy's * Kilgrave from the MCU * The Ice King or the Lich from Adventure Time * Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter * The Other Mother from Coraline * Clay Puppington from Moral Orel

An underrated and truly evil character that is personally one of my favorites due to his terrifying and well developed nature. He may be a shy boy, but he's absolutely a bold character in storytelling.

Do a video of the incarnation of evil. The dark lord Sauron

Great video again, two suggestions of mine are The Kurgan from Highlander, and Bob Ewell from To Kill A Mockingbird.

When are we getting some psycho femme fatales? Basic instinct, Fatal Attraction, Play Misty for me.

Fiennes was incredible in his portrayal but I feel one that must be covered is Nina Meyers from “24”

would love to see a breakdown of Gendo Ikari from NGE

A Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen) could be a good Analyzing Evil, he's so perfect in Casino Royale.

I want to see a movie where the main character is as troubled and disturbed as Dollarhyde, but he gets nearly completely rehabilitated.

You should do Cersei Lannister, Joffery Baratheon, or Ramsey Bolton from Game of Thrones. Of all the villians on that show these three were the most despicable. I just don't know which one deserves to be featured on your channel.

You should make a video about Light Yagami from the original Death Note series. Not the varied and numerous live action adaptations.

Gene Hackmans character in Quick and the Dead is evil as could be. I think it may be his best role

One villain I'd like to see covered is Clyde Shelton from Law Abiding Citizen.

Tom Noonan had the characters quiet, withdrawn abs tortured personality but nowhere near the physicality. Ralph Fiennes looked the part but he couldn’t portray Dolarhyde’s inner torment. Richard Armitage brought it all together.

Been waiting for this one. One of the most morbidly sympathetic serial killers in fiction. The dynamic between Dolarhyde, Will Graham and Hannibal make this story one of the best of its kind, Manhunter being the best adaptation of it.

I think someone like Syndrome from "The Incredibles" would be a good one to analyze. People tend to get a lot about his backstory wrong (namely they claim Mr. Incredible said that you can't be a hero without powers when he never did) but there's a lot to the character all the same. For a character in a children's movie, he commits a LOT of murder and for what? What was his REAL motive? Who was he really?

You should totally do Mr glass and the hoard from the m night shamalyn trilogy

Keep the good work by making such amazing videos. Here are some suggestions for future videos: -Voldemort from the Harry Potter series -Johan Liebert from Monster -Light Yagami from the Death Note manga and anime -Eren Yeager from the Attack on Titan manga and anime

what strikes me is his duality. its the standard jekyll and hyde dynamic. a sordid little hobby, but a very different person nervously parades in public. It reminds me of one of the most curious sayings in terms of its logic "you aren't being yourself"

Since you’ve done real monsters like Amon Goeth, do you think you’ll ever do Idi Amin from Last King of Scotland?

Could we get Tai Lung and Lord Shen from Kung Fu Panda? They're surprisingly deep for family film villains.

I'd love to see Analyzing Evil: Nolan Grayson (Omniman)

One anime villain that you should definitely add to the mix is the Monster himself Johan Liebert.

1) Fantastic job you did with this one, as per usual. 2)Just to give you some of the less popular suggestions to cover: - Kevin from M. Night Shyamalan trilogy (aka "the beast"); - Mr. Glass from Unbreakable and Glass; - Percy Wetmore from Green mile (either him or wild Bill); - Walter Sullivan from SH4; - Claudia Wolf from SH3; - Bane from The Dark Knight Rises; - Eric Killmonger from Black Panther; - Magneto from the X-men series; - Lee Woo-jin from Oldboy; - Niander Wallace from Blade Runner 2049; - Alejandro from Sicario; - Bill from Kill Bill; - Captain poison from Blood Diamond; - Clyde Shelton from Law Abiding Citizen; - Tyrell Wellick from Mr. Robot; - The Yellow King from True Detective; - William D. Fosters from Falling Down; - Sweeny Todd from The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; - Harvey from The Lovely Bones; - Bruce Robertson from Filth; - Raoul Silva from Skyfall; - Orochimaru from Naruto (either him or Pain); - Gendo Ikari from NGE; - Ladd Russo from Baccano!; - The Major from Hellsing Ultimate; - Knives from Trigun; - Father from FMA: Brotherhood; - Mother Gothel from Tangled; - Lord Shen from KFP 2;

I took Francis' "Love" towards his grandmother as an ironic mislabeling of the emotion of hate rather than an honest misunderstanding of what "love" is

I loved everything about this apart from the comment about Dolarhyde being a 'schizophrenic'. This is incredibly unlikely. At the age of 42, he remains a highly intelligent, highly organised individual. Active episodes of schizophrenia (known as psychosis) are toxic to the brain. Thus, every episode of psychosis leads to a brain injury and a subsequent loss of function. With repeated episodes of psychosis or prolonged periods of psychosis (during which an individual might experience auditory hallucinations) comes further loss of function. So, by the age of 42, if Dolarhyde were to have experienced auditory hallucinations for the past ~ 24 years (assuming onset at 18) then his brain would be heavily impaired and he would typically function like many of the individuals I have cared for in this state - these are not people you would describe as remotely organised and would be assessed as falling well below the average IQ. A delusional disorder may be more appropriate, and such individuals can typically function quite well in society with the exception of their particular delusion (which causes great dysfunction in that area of their life. It's true that Dolarhyde is blunted in his affect (restricted facial responses) but could be better explained by a need to mask his emotions to protect himself. Source: 11 months shy of being a psychiatrist Love the channel, keep up the great work

"As a child, my heart bleeds for him. Somebody took a little boy and turned him into a monster. But as an adult, he's irredeemable."

I'd love to see an analysis of Tom Ripley from the Talented Mr. Ripley as played by Matt Damon - really enjoying these type of vids 👍

You should do Hannibal Lecter analysis, but specifically the version from Hannibal(the show) as I feel that version of him has a very different and unique set of behaviours and actions

Can you do Gollum from Lord of The Rings next?

I thought Francis Dolarhde was terrifying at the end of Mindhunter cutting Will's face with the piece of glass in his hand then robotically throwing Will aside walking out of the room getting the shotgun blasting the ambushing cops at the door but in the book, he was built like a bodybuilder so he would be like the Terminator.

I think it's so interesting to look at how throughout his life Francis was constantly emasculated by the people around him. The nickname from the orphanage, his grandmother's threats of castration and forcing him to sit down to use the bathroom, the tooth fairy nickname. That emasculation reflects the homophobia of the society Francis was raised in, homophobia that's also reflected in his encounters and infatuation with both Will and Hannibal. Great video! I'll be doing my own video essay on him and posting it soon 👍

9:32 Weirdly enough despite him thinking everyone thought he was horrendously ugly some of the women Francis worked with fancied him not just Reba.

There is an old question: are the action of the insane evil, or symptoms of their illness? A person who kills for money is a hit-man. A person who kills because of the voices is a serial killer. Both have killed as many people, which one is more evil? I say that the insane aren't operating under the same sort of rules as you and I. It doesn't absolve them for their acts, but it does place their motives outside of normal judicial concepts. How does one cross-examine a person who thinks they are a God, and you are a worm? What would a worms sense of justice mean to a God?

I’ve got a good video topic! You should cover Bane from the Dark Knight Rises

Lorne malvo from fargo please.

I think we need a Stringer Bell analysis. His willingness to undermine, manipulate and harm those around him for the sole intention of capital gain is both chilling & captivating.

Great video as always! Have you ever read or played I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream? I think the villain AM would be an interesting analysis

"This is a Very Shy Boy Will... I'd Love to Meet'Im."

Excellent work. The only detail I think you missed, and something that I always found interesting, was that the families Dolarhyde killed had the exact same structure as his mother's family excluding him; a mother, a father, two sons, and a daughter. I always interpreted that as him thinking that the people he needed to kill had to be, what was in his mind at least, a "perfect" family. To me at least, it felt like another manifestation of his trauma. Also, neither here nor there, but Tom Noonan has always been easily my favorite portrayal of the character. Even though I don't really think any of the adaptations of 'Red Dragon' have properly lived up to book, 'Manhunter' is easily my favorite because it has the best Will Graham, a very effective Francis Dolarhyde, and so much tension and atmosphere you can drown in it.

I always felt like, if Francis could have waited - held back the Dragon a little longer, until he met Reba - he may have been in the clear, and may have enjoyed a normal adult life, or as normal as anyone has. It’s a tragedy - for the people he hurts and himself. I normally don’t pity the killer, but in this case Harris did a great job making him very understandable, if not entirely sympathetic. Nice video

Dolarhyde was both great in Red Dragon and Manhunter, but I just can't seem to like his portrayal in Hannibal due to story being a mess there.

One of my personal favorite fictitious evils. Absolutely horrifying insane, but strikingly competent and decisive.

Another great one. Really, really good. Do Nino Brown from New Jack city or Frank White from King of New York.

I was waiting a long time for this video, I love Hannibal's books and your video was incredible. I feel that each adaptation has given its part regarding who Dolarhyde is, but in my case, my favorite adaptation will always be Manhunter, maybe the size of Tom Noonan helped a lot to make Francis look intimidating. If he had trained his muscles before the movie, he would certainly have given the character much more power. I would have loved to see the Red Dragon tattoo that they prepared for him but never used, it's a shame.

Analyzing Evil- Jamie gumb aka buffalo bill- "It rubbs the lotion 🧴 on its it does this when it's told.

Tom Noonan is by far the best Dolarhyde he really portrayed his sensitivity his strength and his madness.

The original movie was more gross & disgusting. The main character Francis also fit the physical description in the novel almost perfectly. Reminded me of The Cell. Ralph Fiennes just didn’t cut it in Red Dragon for me. Oh. Could you do a breakdown of the main character, Carl Rudolph Stargher, in The Cell?

It’s always the mother’s fault, very simplistic. Men and woman can be monsters.

Would love to see you analyze Silco from Arcane his relationship with jinx is so interesting

The first two villains in the movie "Manhunter" were never equaled or surpassed. They set the gold standard. In addition Michael Mann was the genius behind it all.

Do you plan on doing an analysis on Jack, from The House that Jack Built?

May I make a suggestion on a villian that exists and has a movie titled after him Bronson. Britains most violent prisoner. Edit: Another suggestion is the movie Naked (1993) with David Thewlis as Johnny. He's the most fascinating character although a couple other characters are too.

Red Dragon, and Dolarhyde, are Harris’ best in the Hannibal series. He really did peak immediately.

Love your analysis of all these villains, including ones that I'm not necessarily familiar with myself. Given that No Way Home home came out, I'd be curious to see a video of Dafoe's Green Goblin, since most people would consider him the best Spidey villain, and a possible contender for best MCU villain.

I wonder if this guy will do the TV series version of hannibal. He's a bit different from the movie and book counterpart

I would love to see a duel video on Joffrey Baratheon and Ramsey Bolton

the red dragon is a great book...thomas harris is a brilliant writer and his stories arent as scary as they are viscerally disturbing..like the nick name the kids give dolarhyde in the orphanage...i read the book over a decade ago and yet the scene where his grandma comes to meet him for the first time in the orphanage is embedded in my brain...when she meets him for the first time his grand ma asks him if he knows his name and dolarhyde gets excited...he knew the answer...the older boys had told him...he looks her in the eyes and says "cunt face"

I would like to recommed reading the manga "Monster" and analysing it's main villain, Johan Liebert, and his relation with other characters in the story. There are many who analysed him before, but I would like to learn about your interpretation.

After all these years.. im still impressed with Fiennes as Dolarhyde.. his performance was just.. 👌🙌👏

Wouldn't being capable of feeling empathy make him a sociopath instead of a psychopath?

Please do Buffalo Bill’s story as soon as possible.

you should analyze the evil of Chance Gilbert from Longmire, I think he is a brilliant villain.

Analyzing Evil: Agent Smith from Matrix

Ralph Fiennes is a fine actor, but wayyy too good looking for this role. Frankly, so was Richard Armitage. Tom Noonan was much more appropriate.

I feel so sorry for Francis, till this day....

The way they disrespected his looks in the movies/shows just killes me everytime.

I'd like to see a video on Luke from Children of Men.

Great video as always. I do have a suggestion for a video, if I may: Judge Holden from Blood Meridian written by Cormac McCarthy

Yes, love this villain, Finneas's performance really captured me