Evil twin

An evil twin is the concept in fiction (especially science fiction and fantasy) of someone equal to a character in all respects, except for a radically inverted morality (and often some changes in appearance, for the audience's convenience).

Related Topics:
Fiction - Science fiction - Fantasy - Morality

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This can be sophisticated or simple. Most often, it is the latter, with the evil twin being a stereotypical villain. A closely related concept is that of an entire mirror universe, containing only evil twins of the characters in the regular universe (and "good twins" of evil people).

Related Topics:
Villain - Mirror universe

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The exotic plot devices inherent in science fiction or fantasy allow the introduction of evil twins much more readily. Such ideas as cloning and time travel offer more opportunities for the twin to arise and their tendency to become exact polar opposites is magnified, rather the just slightly different characters.

Related Topics:
Cloning - Time travel

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Evil twins allow writers to compare the beliefs and opinions of their characters not with other characters, but effectively with the same character. The basis of a characters beliefs and morality can then be explored through the distorted mirror image of their twin. In film and television, the evil twin usually offers an actor the chance to play the same part but with an entirely different approach.

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