Disney’s Most Disturbing Villain

 

Credit to Google

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) is considered to be a classic in the old days of Disney. It is a tale of how good can come together to rid the world of the evil that has plagued them their whole lives. 

It is also a musical, and features one of the best Disney soundtracks, depicting the characters singing about what they desire, and how they hope their people can find peace from the tyranny of Frollo’s character. 

However, this film is much darker than the average Disney film of good vs. evil. It’s all due to the villain, Claude Frollo. 

The actions of Frollo’s character are beyond evil and is considered to be the most depraved villain out of all of Disney.

He belongs in an R -rated film, it honestly shocks me that the directors; Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise got away with such a disturbing character.

What makes Frollo utterly despicable and evil, is that he isn’t aware of how cruel his actions are. He believes he is doing good, but in reality, he is the most sinful of all the characters shown in the film. There are many reasons as to why Frollo’s character is the worst Disney villain ever brought to screen for audiences.

1. He Tortured the Main Character Psychologically for Years

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Frollo’s actions are sick, he murdered the main character’s mother out of hate, and would have killed a baby, yes, a baby, if he hadn’t felt pressured by his delusions to raise the main character as his own. 

He torments Quasimodo’s character (the main protagonist, which is the baby he almost killed) for years, lying about his mother abandoning him, and making him believe that the world outside the tower he is trapped in would hate his deformity. He even allows Quasimodo to be put on display and humiliated by the city when he decides to sneak into the festival taking place, never bothering to put a stop to it. 

How Quasimodo was able to remain so pure throughout the years under the tyranny of Frollo is crazy.

2. Frollo is a Cold — Blooded Murderer

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Since the beginning of the film, Frollo intentionally killed Quasimodo’s mother and once again I have to mention; was willing to murder a child. Frollo deeply despises gypsies and wants to kill every single one. I think the start of the film was also trying to imply that Frollo has killed before. He also set a home on fire containing a family. 

What a sadistic bastard.

3. Frollo Wanted to Esmeralda All to Himself

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One aspect of the film I can’t believe was included; is Frollo’s creepy desire of Quasimodo’s friend, Esmeralda. She is a gypsy who befriends him, and Frollo immediately takes a liking to her. Frollo shows his creepy love for her, and then gaslights her into thinking that scary interaction she just experienced with him was all in her head. 

Wow.

4. Frollo Has the Most Disturbing Villain Song in All of Disney

Credit to Google

Disney villains have always had some of the best songs in their films. 

Frollo’s song takes it up an extra notch, crossing a line to straight up disturbing and terrifying. Frollo’s song contains very dark implications of Hell, desiring and threatening to send Esmeralda to Hell, while seeking mercy at the same time for both of them. 

How this song ended up in a children’s movie rated G, for everyone, I will never know. It is my most favorite Disney song of all time, and this song is the main reason why I came to the realization that Claude Frollo is the darkest Disney villain brought to life.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is already a great film, but what really brought this film to life was the villain. Frollo is the only Disney villain that actually scares me, because he is the only one that feels like he could be a real person inflicting such hatred and evil among the innocent.

The film probably belongs in another platform due to its heavy content, but who am I to judge such a chilling masterpiece?

Thank you for reading!

Emy Quinn