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If We Were Villains

Quick Scoop

“If you were to be cast in a tragedy, would you know when the play ends — or when real life begins?”
M.L. Rio’s If We Were Villains continues to fascinate readers years after its release, earning a deep cult following in both literature circles and online discussions.

⚡ What’s the Buzz?

Originally published in 2017 , this dark academia novel has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to the ongoing fascination with classical theatre, elite academia, and morally gray storytelling. Online forums like Reddit’s r/books and BookTok threads have reignited debates about the book’s complex moral questions and haunting characters. The story follows seven Shakespearean actors at the Dellecher Classical Conservatory, whose obsession with perfection, art, and performance turns deadly when a member of their group is murdered.
At its heart, If We Were Villains is a psychological portrait of performance versus reality — and the cost of living one’s life as a stage.

🎭 Why It’s Trending Again

Several key factors explain the recent spike in attention:

  1. BookTok revival – Creators have been spotlighting dark academia classics again, pairing moody aesthetics with quotes and scenes.
  2. Possible adaptation rumors – Speculation about a potential TV or film adaptation has resurfaced. (Though nothing is confirmed by M.L. Rio or her publisher, fans remain hopeful.)
  3. Character debates – The fandom frequently reexamines the dynamics among Oliver, James, and Richard, leading to passionate forum threads and detailed fan theories.
  4. Comparisons to Donna Tartt’s The Secret History – Readers keep linking the two as twin pillars of modern dark academia, fueling rereads and literary analyses.

🕯️ The Themes That Haunt Readers

  • Performance and identity — How much of who we are is authentic, and how much is a role we play?
  • Art and obsession — The line between creative devotion and self-destruction blurs dramatically.
  • Tragedy and guilt — The story mirrors Shakespearean motifs of fate, ambition, and moral downfall.

“We did what we always did — we pretended not to notice.”
(Forum quote analyzing Oliver’s denial arc.)

💬 Forum Discussion Highlights

Forum Thread| Topic Summary| View Count| Sentiment
---|---|---|---
r/books: “Is Oliver a villain or a victim?”| Users debate whether the protagonist’s loyalty was love or delusion.| 12K+| Mixed
Goodreads Reviews: “Echoes of Macbeth and Othello”| Readers dissect Shakespearean parallels.| 9K+| Positive
TikTok Literary Edits: #IfWeWereVillains| Cinematic edits trending again in late 2025.| 5M+ views| Nostalgic

🧠 Critical Reception & Speculation

Critics have praised Rio’s prose for its “linguistic grace and psychological sharpness.” However, some felt the ending left too many moral questions unresolved.
Speculation continues that a sequel or companion novella could appear someday, although Rio herself has stated the story was meant to stand alone. Still, this ambiguity only adds to the book’s mythos — much like a Shakespeare tragedy where truth depends on who’s left to tell it.

🕰️ Looking Ahead (2026 Edition)

With dark academia themes back in style, If We Were Villains is poised for another wave of discovery among new readers. Whether through reprint campaigns, reading challenges, or online discussions, it remains a timeless meditation on youth, art, and guilt.

TL;DR

  • If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio blends murder mystery, Shakespearean drama, and academic intensity.
  • Renewed popularity in 2025–2026 driven by BookTok, reread challenges, and adaptation rumors.
  • Themes of identity, rivalry, and artistic obsession make it a cornerstone of the dark academia genre.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here. Would you like me to include a short speculative section on what a film or streaming adaptation of If We Were Villains might look like (casting, tone, and setting)?