Only some auteurs, if any, are on a level that Martin Scorsese is on. While there's so much you can analyze and appreciate from the iconic filmmaker, the antagonists of his films are often overshadowed. Specifically, Bill the Butcher in 2002's Gangs Of New York, a film that heavily relies on Daniel Day Lewis's performance and personally makes the film.
Daniel Day Lewis gives a memorable performance that many highlight as the peak of his career, which is something in and of itself since there’s so much to recognize from the three-time Academy Award winner. So, let’s dive into the character and what we can learn as writers.
Still from 'Gangs of New York' (2002).
Bill Cutting
William "Bill the Butcher" Cutting is the primary antagonist in the 2002 film Gangs of New York, produced by Miramax/Touchstone. Known for his authoritarian and manipulative nature, Bill leads the Natives gang and becomes the arch-enemy of Amsterdam Vallon, the son of Bill’s former rival, "Priest" Vallon. The character of Bill the Butcher is inspired by the real-life gang leader William Poole.
Personality
Bill's fierce patriotism is rooted in his family history. He reveals that his father was killed by the British in a naval battle during the War of 1812, fueling his drive to protect what he considers the "true" America. The reasoning showcases the antagonist's motivation, which is critical to a great antagonist.
He openly despises Irish immigrants and other newcomers, viewing them as invaders who take jobs and dilute American culture. Like many Americans of his time, he harbors a deep-seated hatred toward Roman Catholics, perceiving the Irish as a threat to Protestant values.
Despite his cruelty, Bill adheres to a strict personal code. While he hates the Irish, he despises figures like Boss Tweed and other corrupt politicians even more for their dishonesty and hypocrisy.
His fury over Amsterdam’s assassination attempt stems as much from the deceit involved as from the attack itself—he believes Amsterdam should have faced him openly. Surprisingly, Bill also shows generosity toward the widows and orphans in the Five Points, providing them free meat, revealing a rare soft spot amid his brutal exterior.
Giving Your Antagonist a Unique Personality
The biggest thing you can do for your antagonist is to give them a unique personality, like Bill The Butcher. While many argue that an antagonist should have a clear goal, sometimes, villains are just pure, unapologetic evil–no shades of gray, no relatability, just plain wickedness.
To make a villain like this compelling, their presence in each scene has to be magnetic, commanding the atmosphere and swaying the emotions of everyone involved. Charismatic villains excel in this area.
When crafting a genuinely sinister, dastardly villain, focus on how their presence impacts others. What does it mean for the characters around them? How does it shift the tone or unsettle the mood? Relatable villains have their place, but a villain doesn’t need to be relatable to be compelling.
Developing Antagonists and Other Characters
There’s plenty to criticize with Gangs Of New York, especially its ending. However, Bill the Butcher serves as an outline for crafting a good villain and antagonist. Regardless, there’s no "one-size-fits-all" antagonist–it’s about what suits the story best.
You’ll often hear that good villains should be relatable or understandable, but that’s not always true. Is Bill the Butcher relatable to anyone nowadays? Some stories can work brilliantly with a villain with shallow or unclear motives to drive an irredeemable monster.
The key is identifying the kind of villain that best serves your story. Don’t just follow general advice on what makes a "good" villain. A helpful approach is to create a villain who contrasts with the main character (or even the most iconic villain if there are multiple in the story's universe).
Another crucial aspect is the villain's actions. Do they follow through on their threats, or are they all talk? When a villain delivers on their threats, it heightens the tension, as readers know real consequences are at stake. On the other hand, a villain who constantly makes empty threats risks losing their edge.
Benefitting the Story
Gangs of New York might be the most ambitious film in recent years, with some of the best production design and cinematography I've ever seen. However, its story structure needs to keep up with this ambition. That's why the enjoyment factor with the film primarily revolves around the antagonist in Bill the Butcher.
What sets this film apart is its dedication to context. Most Hollywood films rush to the hero’s goal, focusing on quick pacing over depth, often missing the chance to show how the hero’s world shapes their journey or how others in that world reflect the hero’s core conflict.
In contrast, Gangs of New York is rich with context, capturing the sweep of 19th-century American history within a single story. It achieves this through a series of powerful oppositions: nativists versus immigrants, the powerful versus the weak, rich versus poor, Catholic versus Protestant, and the clash between tribalism and the rule of law. It’s why the film could’ve been even better, but we’ll always have the iconic performance from Daniel Day Lewis to appreciate.