Croley JA, Reese V, Wagner Jr. RF. Dermatologic features of classic movie villains. The face of evil. [Published online ahead of print April 5, 2017]. JAMA Dermatol. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2016.5979.
This study suggest that evil characters in Hollywood movies have more “dermatological findings” (facial scars etc.) compared to heroic controls.
This was a cross-sectional study comparing the all-time top 10 American film villains with the all-time top 10 American film heroes as obtained from the American Film Institute, The authors found that “the top 10 villains display a significantly higher incidence of dermatologic findings than the top 10 heroes (60% vs 0%), which include alopecia, periorbital hyperpigmentation, deep rhytides on the face, scars on the face, verruca vulgaris on the face, and rhinophyma.”
The authors offer the following cautionary comment: "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."
This study suggest that evil characters in Hollywood movies have more “dermatological findings” (facial scars etc.) compared to heroic controls.
This was a cross-sectional study comparing the all-time top 10 American film villains with the all-time top 10 American film heroes as obtained from the American Film Institute, The authors found that “the top 10 villains display a significantly higher incidence of dermatologic findings than the top 10 heroes (60% vs 0%), which include alopecia, periorbital hyperpigmentation, deep rhytides on the face, scars on the face, verruca vulgaris on the face, and rhinophyma.”
The authors offer the following cautionary comment: "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."