Analyzing Evil: Frank Costello From The Departed 

I couldn't resist with the thumbnail.

Jack Nicholson always nails his villain roles.

I wish Jack didn’t get old. He’s a one of a kind actor.

As a Boston boy myself, my high school year book quote was “I don’t want to be a product of my environment, I want my environment to be a product of me” in honor of Jack Nicholson’s opening scene quote

Man, this movie is criminally good. The cast is insane, the metaphors and imagery are incredible, and that ending…

“When I tell you…to dump a body in the marsh….you dump him…IN…the marsh.”

The duality in this movie is insane. Each character has two lives or roles, and one of them always has to do with Costello. I first watched this movie when I was way too young, but each time I see it again I see another layer of his horror I missed before. Nicholson really nails the charisma that can lull you into seeing his way. The fact that he has numerous cops he's groomed from childhood speaks to me as more terrifying each time, as I may have been under his spell had I been born in Mass a few decades earlier. P.S. I love how concise yet eloquent your summaries are. The way you so perfectly describe the methods of evil are always so over the top yet perfectly on point. Gets a dark chuckle from me almost every single time, great work!

The Departed was Jack Nicholson's last great movie role. And just more proof that, among Hollywood stars, he's one of the all-time greats.

His impersonation of the Rat; when he suspects their is an informant amongst the ranks, is one of my favorite parts of this movie.

The Departed is one of my favourite films of all time and Frank is a character i was disgusted by. At a point in the film he's described as a tumour and its the most accurate description of him. He does have one redeeming quality however. Its strongly hinted in the film that he does view Billy as something more than a henchmen or a tool to give up. He trusted him with information that he didn't give to anyone else. He's always with billy and frenchie rather than the whole crew even after only knowing billy for a short time. When he encourages billy to eat something at the bar it wasn't with insidious intent he respected billy for standing up to him like his father or uncle would have and genuinley wanted him to enjoy some food at franks leisure. When he scolds billy for not pursuing further education of a higher standing it isn't from a manipulative angle like it was with Sullivan. If billy had for example frank would have been proud and probably encouraged him to pursue a dream and let him be. I know this because he often speaks in high admiration for the people in billys family because they weren't effected by him and they didn't fear him. Numerous times in the film he even takes the advice billy gives him and puts it into action straight away without question while ignoring advice from sullivan even though he's his inside man. Then theres his death when sullivan betrays him. Sullivan says "all that murderin and fuckin and no sons?" Before frank retaliates you see him pause and you know he's thinking of billy. He did view billy as sort of diamond in the rough that he'd like to keep seperate. He even kept the mafia of billys back. Had frenchie or fitsy pulled that stunt i doubt he woulda had the same compassion. He probably would of killed them to avoid further trouble with the mafia. With billy however he smiles and jokes and you know he's thinking the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Kind of ironic really since billy was out to bring him down.

This has been one of my favorite movies for 12 years. Thank you for making this video!

Could you do an Analyzing evil of Scorpio from Dirty Harry? I think he’s one of the most underrated, disturbing, evil killers in cinematic history.

Good pick. As a Bostonian and a big fan of the channel I'm very excited to see what you do with Whitey Bulger (FYI it's pronounced like "Buhl-jer"). While the film adaptation of Black Mass was meh for me, he is an admittedly interesting (although extremely repugnant) figure. My family grew up in South Boston during this era and I grew up hearing all the stories and witnessing all of the ripple effects of his reign of terror. He truly was a person who made his environment "a product of himself" in the worst conceivable ways. Drugs, sexual predation, murder and exploitation of plenty of people who were not "in the game" in the first place. Probably had more to do with destabilizing what had once been an incredibly strong and close-knit community (in spite of its problems) than anyone else. I'd say to just be mindful of the research you do, as there is a lot of literature on Whitey and Winter Hill but most of it's objectivity is suspect since it's written by former associates or people with a fanatic axe to grind (e.g. Howie Carr). The book Black Mass itself is probably a good place to start.

I loved Infernal Affairs, and I must say, for a remake, The Departed was made so well and placing Whitey Bulger (Frank Costello) in the role of Hon Sam was so clever! Easily one of my top US crime films!

One of my teachers at school, he was a declared atheist, told us once that the devil doesn't exist. He then added, there is something far worse, the evil in men.

Yes Jack Nicholson he do know how to play that villain role. The character he's portraying here is every bit as villainous and diabolical as his portrayal as Colonel Jessup on A Few Good Men.

Yes, thank you. I remember I requested this a long time ago and I’m glad you are now covering this character.

I would love to see a Whitey Bulger episode. Johnny Depp's performance was amazing, and I'm sure your insight on the character and real story would be phenomenal

Definitely wouldn't mind "analyzing evil" videos on some real life people

A video on Homelander from The Boys would be interesting, as it is not necessarily his fault he is the way he is. He is quite literally a product of his environment.

Vile Eye knows just what I like. Martin Scorsese villains.

The Departed is one of my favorite movies and one of Martin Scorsese’s best films. And Frank Costello is one of my favorite villains in cinema. Jack Nicholson killed this role.

109 episodes already!! Heres to another 109 Mr.Vile Eye, please keep making these amazing videos🤘 Thank you, happy new years, mate!

Can you please do Nucky Thompson from Boardwalk Empire? He’s one the most underrated and compelling TV “villains” in recent memory and it would be amazing to see a video on him.

Vern Schillinger and/or Chris Keller from Oz would make a good episode.

You should do Terry Silver from Karate Kid lll and Cobra Kai. That is a interesting character to break down.

Logan Roy should definitely be covered once Succession has finished airing

what a pleasant surprise. thanks.

you should do a analysis on John Mcafee. Dude was the real life Joker.

"The criminals that abuse our data, for their own personal gain." So...Corporations?

Please look Colm Doherty from the brand new Irish film “The Banshees of Inisherin” Directed by Martin McDonagh

There was always the possibility that Frank was pushed in by a priest when he was an alter boy. Remember the scene in the restaurant with the napkin drawing? Remember his remarks? I believe that’s what catapulted his life of crime.

YEEEEEESSSS! IVE BEEN BEGGING FOR THIS ONE FOR A WHILE NOW! THANK YOU SO MUCH VILE EYE!!!!!

Yes, finally an episode about something I've actually seen lol.

Thanks for these videos. Have a Happily Vile New Year!

I'd love to see a video on Raymond Reddington from The Blacklist. It would be fascinated to debate whether he truly counts as evil or not.

Excellent, excellent work. Perhaps your best analysis yet. I adore The Departed as a film but had never given its characters such deep consideration before as you have in this video and I’m not gonna lie: my stomach was turning by the end of it. What a truly despicable person Frank Costello was. Amazing analysis. Bravo! EXCELSIOR!

I’m an artist, and if you give me a tuba, I’ll bring you something out of it.

Analyzing Evil for Frank Underwood from House of Cards is so needed please

Legend has it that Jack Nicholson prank called a GameStop while on set for his new movie, The Departed.

Please. Analyzing Evil: The crooked Man (The Wolf among us)

i wasnt ready for this

Nice one as always. How about Raoh from Fist of The North Star next? 🤔🤔

Excellent analysis. Been a huge fan of this channel for over a year, now. Always love hearing your insight. One slight correction to this video (not that it really matters, but I think it helps explain a few things in greater clarity). Billy Costigan spent the weekends with his father in South Boston, but he actually came from a wealthy family on his mother's side. It's one of the reasons Sgt. Dignam despises him from the onset and Queenan and Dignam both feel he's not cut out for the State Police (in addition to the criminal connections on his father's side). In the scene where he starts popping pills, you can see him looking at a picture of a mother with her small boy in equestrian gear on the back of a purebred horse, which I believe is a photo of him as a young child. My belief is even he realizes that, while yes, it is part of his undercover assignment, he could have been using his intelligence doing something less stressful and dangerous with greater satisfaction, not to mention the regret he carries from watching losers and suckers get murdered by Costello's henchmen. Again, not a big deal in the analysis of Costello, but I think the reason Costello came to enjoy Billy like a rebellious surrogate son was because, in many ways, they actually had a lot in common. Billy was just able to keep his intelligence under wraps so Costello wouldn't see him as a threat. I even think the part where Billy asks Costello "Who thinks they can do what you do...better than you?" is him slightly musing that he could take his place if he really wanted to. He even lets his mask slip slightly when he says Costello runs his operation like "a fucking feudal enterprise", something a regular high school dropout of a criminal probably wouldn't know. But I digress. As always, love your character interpretations, I think they offer great insight into how human psychology works. Keep up the great work.

Just watched Departed for the very first time a couple weeks ago. Great timing.

One of the greatest films of all time.

This is one I’ve been hoping for for a while, fantastic video!

What about the Rose The Hat from Dr. Sleep. She’s not amazing in and of herself but playing her into the King Universe would be fun. Especially how she uses fear to spike “The Shine” in her victims to get more power out of them and how the IT creature may be doing the same. And honestly if we’re talking about how that power is used in the King Universe, you can add Flagg and the Red King using them for the Breakers.

Might be the best thumbnail you’ve ever posted

Couldn’t remember if it was a hat or a T-shirt but fun fact, Nicholson’s character was supposed to where some Boston Celtics gear. But Jack flat out refused to do that since was a diehard Laker’s fan.

I saw an interesting clip about this film where Matt Damon is talking about how Jack Nicholson came up with a lot of the dialog and stuff in that scene where he and Frenchy kill that man and woman on the beach and Frank says "She fell funny". It was really interesting. I think Jack Nicholson has some darkness in him. I've read that he grew up thinking his mother was his sister, just like Ted Bundy did. Also, the incident with Roman Polanski, Quaaludes, and the underage girl happened at Jack Nicholson's house.

"You know what i like about restaurants? You learn a lot, watching things eat."

Your analyses always blow me away. Each episode I've watched has impressed and entertained me. Such work! Yes, please do Whitey Bulger, sooner than later.

Have you considered doing a video on the Joker from Batman '89? I mean you did videos on Jack Nicholson's other memorable villains like Colonel Jessup, Jack Torrance and Frank Costello, so why not do his portrayal of the Joker? I mean Nicholson’s portrayal felt like a more comic book accurate version of the Joker than Heath Ledger's performance because Nicholson was a prefect mix of being eccentric and cartoony while also being terrifying and intimidating.

the one I want from you more than anything is AM from 'I have no mouth and I must scream', a truly epic evil 🖤

I just revisited the movie and it is right up there as one of the best of all time. Vera Farmiga is a beauty. I remember seeing her for the first time in Source Code.

Always found it weird that Frank was based on Whitey Bulgar but he’s Italian. Bulgar was Irish mafia and an IRA funder.

I need to go back and rewatch this one I havent seen it since it came out. An episode about Whitey Bulger would be excellent. I have a few villains I want to see. My #1 is Vic Mackey from The Shield. A brutal corrupt cop needs an episode about him. Since Jack Nicholson has been in a few episodes (this one and in the past), why not cover his version of the Joker? We've seen both the Heath Ledger and the Joaquin Phoenix versions of the character, we need to complete the trilogy and get the OG version from the first movie. And as something different, If you want to cover another fictionalized version of a real person, what about Andrew Cunanan from the 2nd season of American Crime Story? Those are some ideas I had and would love to see for this series.

7:10 he doesn’t claim he won’t hurt him he say it ain’t gonna hurt you which is true as he dies instantly

Jack Nicholson always nails his Jack Nicholson roles.

Whitey Bulger ate with my grandparents at my current dining table. My grandmother made a big ham

Hiya! Might be a big ask but can you do Stan from Nightmare Alley? It's one of my favorite stories and I would love to hear your thoughts on his character (or Lilith, either would be super cool to hear about from you)

Im never this early, love your videos!

I love your videos. Some request of Villains I would like to see a video on are Raoul (panic room) Alec Trevelyan (GoldenEye) René Belloq (Raiders of the Lost Ark) The truck driver (Duel) Will Teasle (First Blood) Lila & Mary (Psycho 2) Caledon Hockey (Titanic) The Birds (the Birds)

Just discovered this series/channel and I've but one question. Where the hell is video on The Wire?! Quite a few great villains to choose from, especially Chris or Marlo.

Yup... give us Whitey and the Winter Hill gang ASAP!! That guy was truly vile. A horror of a human being. Interesting that you're branching out into real people! Love it.

I’d love to see you talk about Whitey Bulger. Also, I’m wondering if you’ve ever considered doing a video on Bruno Ganz’s (RIP) Adolf Hitler in Downfall, as I think it’s a captivating performance that brings humanity to the horrible individual that Hitler was.

Oh, fantastic choice.

Awesome analysis, Also here are some suggestions: Conal Cochran - Halloween 3 Season of the Witch Eli Sunday - There Will Be Blood Krug Stillo - The Last House on the Left (1972) Herbert West - Reanimator Hyman Roth - The Godfather Part II David Kleinfeld - Carlitos’s Way Stuart Richards - Cruising Sheriff Will Teasle - First Blood John Kreese and Terry Silver- The Karate Kid/Cobra Kai Franchise

I would like to see more villains that are also historical people who actually existed

Frank trying to get Billy back to school was probably a way to get Billy in as an informant somewhere. Billy's intelligence could have made him an excellent engineer or an economist. Hell maybe even a lawyer (not sure if he'd pass the bar with his supposed record of assault though). And well, that could put him somewhere where he'd be of use to Frank and Frank could use his own influence to skyrocket his career. That's what he did with Colin Sullivan. He planted murder weapons and told Colin where to find it etc, that helped skyrocket Collins career.

I don't have any examples that come to mind atm but I'd really love to see more evil characters like the mom in precious, it's been a while since we've had one of these. Or characters that never actually get their hands dirty (only in relation to actually comitting violence, of course since we know their actions end up having direct or inderect consequences) like that guy from Narcos, Amado Carillo Fuentes, or Yuri from Lord of War (which you also already did a vid on).

Hell yeah. I was just watching your video about Voldemort and then you posted this.

Bears pointing out that French killed his wife on Frank’s say-so and talks about it years later as if he had to sell an unreliable car and took a bit of a loss on it. Also, Frank was a bit of a dandy in his own way. He didn’t dress fashionably per se, but his clothes were flashy and well taken care of.

Suggestion: John Kreese, or Terry Silver from the Karate Kid trilogy and Cobra Kai

I'd definitely love to see the Whitey video sooner than later. That should be an interesting one.

Analyzing Evil: Horde Prime from the Netflix She - Ra series.Thanks for your narration and analysis of Frank Castello from The Departed. Great video. Kind regards from Ásgeir in Iceland (I am sorry to the person who responded that I could not read the comment which is no longer available. I find many similarities between Horde Prime and Frank Costello and much like Frank Costello, Horde Prime owns everything he has, and scarily even the memories of those who dare to question his authority or refuse to follow his line).Like Horde Prime, Frank tries to take over the consciousness of those who are closest to him and like Horde Prime he promises people power and wealth if they choose to work for him.

Bro please cover Kevin from We Need to Talk About Kevin and the grandmother from Flowers in the Attic. Love and good cheer for the New Year.

You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting on this!!’

I can't wait for 'Analyzing Evil: Chef Skinner from Ratatouille'

I love the subtlety of giving him a wolverine comic because I always thought he could play the old wolverine.

OMG yes I want to see you do a video on Whitey a.s.a.p I grew up in Massachusetts not far from Boston and after graduating high school I moved to Boston (Dorchester in fact) for a few years. The Whitey Bulger story is fascinating and I'm sure you will do an amazing job with it.

Yes I want a video on good ole Uncle Whitey!!!

ANALYSISING EVIL 😈: Tighten from MegaMind.

Love the content!! Keep it up vile eye

you should do an analyzing evil episode on the movie this was based off, infernal affairs it's much the same but also had some key differences I really liked.

Jack was so great in The Departed. Terrifying as hell.

Now you’re doing people through history you should do Roy Demeo, stone cole ruthless killer. And Greg Scarpa, they’re both killers apart of organized crime but polar in their approach to kill and personalities

Ray 'Who's the daddy? I'M THE DADDY!' Winstone From the film 'Scum'

I just watched the movie Basic Instinct, A classic thriller. I’m so surprised you haven’t covered this one. Can you do an analysis on the character Catherine Tramel played by Sharon Stone. it was such a good psychological thriller.

Ol' Frank looks like he's suffering from a bad case of Hemorrhoids on that thumbnail.

Doing an episode on Whitey would be cool

Maybe an analysing evil on The Captain from The Nightingale? Played by Sam Clafflin. That film is so messed up but Clafflin's character is absolutely evil

You should do an episode on J.R. Ewing from Dallas.

I love love love this film! Thank you for making this video and I didn't know Frank was based on Whitey

I LOVE your work (your Jimmy McGill and Baby Jane videos are favorites) and look forward to your Bulger video. The Costello character had little in common with the real mobster. Nicholson has to Nicholson, for better or for worse.

You should definitely do Whitey Bulger, with reference to The Black Mass. I think Johnny Depp made a career and underrated performance as him. Cheers!

Nice! I love this movie. Excellent stuff 👍

What about the many evil characters from Once Upon a Time in America?

Love your vids, ever considered doing and villains from lone wolf and cub or Richard from hotline miami?