On one hand, I actually enjoy the idea behind movies like Maleficent and Frozen (and the Wicked play). I'm all about villainous characters getting redemption arcs!
But on the other hand, I don't like the actual execution.
And it took a while to realize why, but I think I figured it out. Their stories aren't true redemption arcs. In a redemption arc, we learn things from a different character's point of view. We see why they've done bad things - without seeing an actual defense of it. We see the character grow to understand just how awful they are, and how many people they're hurting. We see them struggle with their choices, as they continue to shape the story. When it's done well, a redemption arc is a truly captivating and beautiful thing. It shows that no matter our past, we can always shape the future for the better.
Instead of getting that, what they do is take away all agency from the characters and turn them into a perfect victim. They don't HAVE to be redeemed, because they never did anything wrong in the first place. Everyone else just happens to be meanies, and they're just reacting. Weak. In the end, they take away any interesting characterization they can have. They're only supposed to be likable, because they never messed up in the first place. Now where a redemption arc is powerful because of how relatable it can be, this trend feels alienating. Who out there has never done anything bad in their lives? Who out there can honestly claim to be a "perfect victim", like these characters are ended up painted as.
I just want a villain retelling where they openly acknowledge that they've done bad things in the past, and where they have the character's alignment change makes sense in a clear and concise way.
