Recently I have been binge watching the Netflix series Jessica Jones. Mostly, this show is a revelation. It’s portrayal of female characters is varied; it’s honestly detailing of trauma and recovery, and it all round hits the ball right out of the park. Truly, “Jessica Jones” is a step in the right direction for women in comic books and female fans. The true star for me, however, was David Tennant with his portrayal of the villain Killgrave. Whilst there is so much I could venture into, so many elements that make this show the stand-out and feminist forward movement it is, the character of Killgrave struck me the hardest.

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I’ve always been terrified of the Joker; a psychopath whose evil deeds stem from nothing but his own desire for chaos and misfortune. Killgrave though, Killgrave is someone more terrifying. His deeds come from his own selfish desires, his need to be loved and admired. Perhaps this is lesser motives for some, but for me, a woman who has been at the mercy of men before, a woman who has a great deal of experience with ‘nice guys’, Killgrave is the ultimate villain. Killgrave is the ultimate ‘nice guy’.

Most women have had to deal with this particular genre of man before. The ‘nice guy’ is a gentleman that feels himself to be wronged by women. He believes his actions are always for the benefit of others, he holds the door open, he gives gifts, he acts like a decent human being and expects to be rewarded for such behaviours. What many would deem to be polite human interaction, the ‘nice guy’ believes that his conduct is worthy of sexual rewards. When he is rebuffed, be it gently or not, his reaction is often violent, leaving the women on the receiving end fearful of the actions of Mr Hyde. The ‘nice guy’ believes himself to be on a higher level than most men, any woman would be lucky to receive his attentions. Thus brings us to Killgrave. His actions, his words, everything he does follows the ‘nice guy’ manual.

“Obviously, I was trying… to show you what I see. That I’m the only one who matches you. Who challenges you. Who’ll do anything for you.” The very words made me shudder. So typical of abuse, he claims love, but that is not love. Control is not love. If Killgrave is anything, he is the very essence of consent. His power allows him to control people. They must do what he says, but even darker than that, he makes people feel that they want to do those actions. He takes their consent and makes it intangible. At one point, Patricia Walker holds a gun to her head and fires, the gun is empty, but she tries to force a bullet into her head regardless. She cries, “he made me want to kill myself. I never want to feel that again.” Abusers do this. They take control, they force control. They take your mind and they warp it, moulding it to their desires.

Killgrave wines and dines the women he captures. He treats them as play things and deludes himself into believing they love him, yet they have no choice. Held under his control, they must abide by his desires. One woman, Hope, lies in a bed soaked with her own urine, unable to move until his return, simply because he told her to. The mere of action of rebellion, of considering not completing the order is unfathomable at that moment in time. This dichotomy in their minds, what they wish to do and what he has told them to wish to do, rages a war, ripping their minds apart. He forces himself upon them, both figuratively and physically. “I’m not torturing you,” he assures Jessica. “Why would I? I love you.” Those words again. A rapist and a sadist, a misogynist wrapped in chivalry, but he loves and so his actions are justifiable in his own mind. His lavish attention will convince her that she loves him. He is the very definition of a ‘nice guy’.

Killgrave isn’t just an abuser though; he’s not just a rapist. Killgrave is a representation of the misogyny that still plagues western society, of the fear women face on a daily basis. He stalks Jessica, pursuing her endlessly with the hopes of convincing her of his affections. He sends law enforcement, the symbol of protection, after Patricia Walker when she speaks against him, almost killing her. There is no one to turn to. He can control anyone. He isolates Jessica, turns those she trusts against her, puts her loved ones in danger and takes law enforcement out of the picture. Isolation is a stronghold of abusers. Their ultimate weapon.

Many women have faced Killgrave’s. Many women have seen Dr Jekyll turn into Mr Hyde. “How about a smile?” A phrase women hear all too often. David Tennant’s Killgrave is the most terrifying villain Marvel has brought to us yet. He is the most realistic villain and this is why he will haunt my dreams for night’s to come. What Marvel has successfully brought to our screens is a true recollection of many people’s lives. It is a blatant representation of the ‘nice guy’ and how damaging they can be.