Erik Killmonger: Constructing the Perfect Antagonist Dennis Odhiambo 12th Grade

As the popular statement goes, the hero is as good as his nemesis, this applies to multiple superhero films; however, Black Panther accomplishes this feat on a profound level. Presenting Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger as the main antagonist to Chadwick Boseman’s protagonist King T’Challa, the film offers one of the most insightful, complex, and empathetic nemesis of the genre. Through Killmonger, Ryan Coogler, the director, presents a villain that fully challenges the protagonist both ideologically and physically, in turn, molding the hero. Killmonger as a perfect antagonist manages to unravel and attack the hero’s greatest flaws. As a victim of circumstance, his ideologies are deeply influenced by his background as opposed to the T’Challa whose upbringing was sheltered from systemic oppression. Henceforth, T’Challa’s final resolve is heavily impacted by the physical and philosophical confrontations with his nemesis. Furthermore, to construct the ultimate conflict, both parties have to compete for the same objective but possess different values and viewpoints. Demonstrated perfectly through Killmonger’s resolution to make Wakanda superlative by overtly liberating all black people, who he considers his own, whilst T’Challa...