The Villanelle Paradox
Words/Lou Andrews Image/ Tony Dunn
Why are we all crushing on a crazed assassin?
It’s a beautiful evening. The sun hangs tightly in the sky, shedding a warm blanket across the world. I’m appreciating the views over the Dorset coast and the occasional drift of cool breeze. While I sit sipping an iced lemon gin, I find my mind wandering and daydreaming about Villanelle…hang on...wait…what? Yes, the psychotic assassin Villanelle from Killing Eve has somehow strutted her DMs into my tranquil haven, which has now got me thinking “what the hell is wrong with me?!”. But it’s not just me is it? Thousands of people across the world found themselves crushing over the eccentric villain in a big way. In fact I’m betting that many of you reading this have too…yes I’m talking to you!
And the funny thing is…I didn’t have the same exasperated feelings over Jodie Comer. Don’t get me wrong, Jodie is fit, but Villanelle is fire and I found myself wanting to get burnt! Even more worrying you may think...but is it?
Killing Eve burst onto the screens on 8 April 2018, and from the opening scene where Villanelle nonchalantly knocks ice cream over the sweet smiling little girl, to the hospital massacre that ended the first episode it was clear that she was not to be messed with. As the series moved on, the intoxicating magnetism between Eve and Villanelle had us all craving more…and wishing at times we were Eve (especially that last steamy scene of season 5 – you know the one!).
So what is it about Villanelle that had us so captivated? You will be pleased to know that it is not the fact that she is a blood-thirsty serial killer…no…the truth is somewhat more simplistic. She has traits that in some way we all aspire to. She oozes confidence in every stride, from the eccentric threads that she wears (which most of us can only wish we could pull off!), to the brazen disregard she has for what people think of her (the eating pasta incident of Series Two).
That don’t-give-a-damn attitude is incredibly attractive, especially as many of us hide behind the curtains of our internal mind chatter, which has us applying a level of restriction to our everyday lives. There is also the strength vs. vulnerability aspect. Villanelle displays an outwardly strong persona, the kind that would have you feeling completely safe when out with her, and yet completely consumed at the same time. She holds an underlying glimmer of vulnerability too which, every so often, peeps out and shows us her human side and has us buying into the whole ‘she can be fixed’ gag. Who doesn’t like to be the hero every now and then right? And last, but by no means least…she is unpredictable! Is she going to passionately kiss you or violently drive a hair pin through your eye?! It keeps us wanting more and more.
...whether it’s acting or not, we can all choose to change an aspect of our persona if we really want to. So I’m saying…hone it and own it!
So now I feel much better about my little crush, how about you? However, that’s not the only part I find interesting. Let’s go back to what I said in the beginning about me not having the same exasperated feelings over Jodie Comer. Now that’s something I find really interesting here. Jodie played Villanelle so exquisitely and displayed such fine crafted acting that she became a completely different person. “That’s acting” I hear you say, but hang on there…if that’s possible then can’t we all hone a little of that Villanelle confidence? The confidence that many of us don’t think we can achieve, which, in turn, puts us off doing things we want to in our lives (going for that high paid job, chatting up that stranger sat next us etc.). We all act at some point in our lives don’t we? No? You don’t think so? Ever had a really crappy day or some bad news and then had to go out and pretend all is good? I rest my case.
I guess what I’m saying is that if Jodie can create such a magnified paradox in all of us by acting and then, in turn, completely change our perception of her…then surely there is a possibility that we can all hone an aspect of that ourselves? Change what you put out there and you’ll completely change the responses you get back.
It’s been talked about many times over and those of you who have read the book The Secret will know what I am talking about. The laws of attraction. This is living proof that this actually does work. You see, whether it’s acting or not, we can all choose to change an aspect of our persona if we really want to. So I’m saying…hone it and own it! Be more Villanelle!
Next time you want the confidence to go and speak to that stranger you have been staring at for the last hour, pull a ‘Jodie’ and just do it…you never know what you may get back.
Lou x