Captain Vidal

"Mature Content Warning!"
‎This article contains some content involving a mature subject or situation and may not be suitable for younger viewers. If you are 18 years or older or are comfortable with graphic material, you are free to view this page.

“	You'd do better to tell us everything. But to make sure it happens, I brought along a few tools. Just things you pick up along the way. [Holds a hammer] At first I won't be able to trust you, but after I use this, you'll own up to a few things. [Holds a pair of plyers] When we get to these we'll have developed a... how can I put this? A closer bond, much like brothers. You'll see. [Holds a knife] And when we get this one, I'll believe anything you tell me.	„
	~ Captain Vidal's monologue before he tortures his victims.

Captain Vidal is the main antagonist of the 2006 hit Spanish dark fantasy film Pan's Labyrinth and its 2019 novelization.

He was portrayed by Sergi López.

What Makes Him Pure Evil?

Standing behind and enforcing the laws of the unfair and fascistic Franco regime.
Murdering multiple freedom fighters and rebels, even when they were unarmed and helpless.
Brutally murdered two innocent farmers, a father and a son. He mercilessly struck the son's face with a bottle multiple times and shot the father in the chest. (Although the latter one was instant and not painful) He then showed no remorse when learning that they were not rebels, only being annoyed that it was a waste of his time.
When his wife's condition began to deteriorate, he ordered Dr. Ferreiro that if he had to choose, he was to save Vidal's unborn child over the mother. This resulted in his wife's death in childbirth.
Psychologically tortured a captured stuttering rebel, Tarta, by challenging him to count to three without stuttering.
- When he failed, Vidal began physically torturing Tarta.
Although he allowed Dr. Ferreiro to treat Tarta's wounds, it was only to prepare Tarta for another round of torture.
Killed Dr. Ferreiro for mercy killing the tortured Tarta.
Captured Mercedes and Ofelia when they tried to escape.
Physically abused Ofelia and then locked her up.
Planned to torture Mercedes but she escaped.
Killed Ofelia.
Although he seems to be tragic because he lost his father when he died in the war, and he wants to live up to him, he only wants recognition from people at the expense of his father, and he far passes the excuse in any way. His actor Sergi Lopez even stated that this is not an excuse for his actions.

Trivia

To drive the point of Captain Vidal being Pure Evil home, his actor Sergi Lopéz actually considers him the most evil character that he has ever played in his career, describing him as a deranged psycopath impossible to defend, citing that while his father may have been the cause behind his mental disorder, it would be very cynical to use such disorder as an excuse to justify his crimes.
Captain Vidal is, alongside Clement Hoately, one of the two Guillermo del Toro villains to be Pure Evil.