When the animated blockbuster ‘Arcane‘ was released in collaboration between Netflix and Riot Games, the TV audience saw a truly stunning picture full of flawed heroes and multi-dimensional villains. One of the central figures of Arcane’s narration is Silco—an exceptionally dangerous kingpin of the undercity Zaun. In theory, Silco can be easily classified as an archetypal cold-hearted antagonist who uses his narcotic “Shimmer” to create an army of superpowered criminals who will stage a revolt against Piltover’s cruel utopian society. However, the creators of the show subverted standard fantasy stereotypes, depicting him as one of the greatest tragic and ideological figures.
Being literally born from oppression and poverty, Silco is an extremist, believing that no matter how cruel he should be to the world, change is possible only with bloodshed. Still, what makes him such an interesting character is his total lack of cold political pragmatism when he is facing the vulnerable emotional state of a traumatized little child.
Sunder Of Brothers And Emergence Of Zaun
The whole story of Silco starts from the foundation of his trauma related to his relationship with Vander, his brother-in-arms, in the fight. Once, they fought alongside in a violent uprising against Piltover’s enforcers, and their relations broke after Vander decided to abandon violence in favor of peace.
After that, Vander tried to drown Silco in a brutal battle, leaving a mark on his left eye filled with toxic water. After that betrayal, he concluded that any compromise would mean his death and began ruling the undercity through crime, giving it a new name: “Zaun.”
Related: Top 10 Most Charismatic Movie Villains Of All Time
The grand political scheme of Silco is to seize full control of Zaun from Piltover by any means possible. For him, any moral standards are unaffordable for people living in oppression and poverty.
He sees his brutality as the only way to destroy the shackles of the rich people of the topside. He executes his rivals and manipulates the resources with extreme coldness without even an ounce of mercy.
The Radically Reflecting Adoptee Powder
Everything changes when Silco meets Powder—a little girl with blue hair who has just been abandoned by her sister Vi after a tragic explosion that took the life of their adoptive family.
Recognizing in Powder his own history of sisterly abandonment, Silco decides to take her in and helps her transform into Jinx, an anarchist with a chaotic mind and a brilliant intellect.
In Case You Missed It: Top 10 Movie Villains With The Saddest Backstories
Instead of curing her psychological problems, Silco supports all the negative aspects of her personality, allowing her to express herself through deranged behavior in exchange for the unconditional validation she needs so much.
The new dynamic becomes the center of his existence. Silco adopts the girl as his daughter and appoints her as his lieutenant.
Even though his other top lieutenants see Jinx as an unpredictable liability, he always protects her, considering her damaged psyche as a great feature of the undercity life.
Round Table’s Greatest Sacrifice
The climax of Silco’s tragedy comes when Piltover’s Council offers him the chance to achieve his dream of full independence for Zaun. In return, Topside demands that he hand over Jinx to stand trial for her terrorist attacks against Piltover.
Being alone with the statue of Vander, Silco finally understands what made Vander abandon the struggle—being a parent. Silco understands that he cannot sacrifice his daughter for the utopian ideal. At that moment, Silco realizes that his political ambitions have become secondary to his love for his daughter.
In the final scenes, Silco’s tragic dilemma comes to a head at a wild dinner organized by Jinx, when, during the scuffle, he tries to kill Vi to protect ‘his Jinx‘ from becoming Powder.
In panic, Jinx shoots Silco in a desperate move, leaving him dying on the ground. During his last moments, Silco shows his true colors, speaking his last words, not cursing his killer or crying about his lost power, but comforting Jinx, saying, “Don’t cry. You’re perfect.”
You Might Also Like To Read: The Heartbreaking 1974 Film Role That Defined Gena Rowlands’ Entire Career
