Starter Villain delves into existential questions of belonging and identity, exploring how characters grapple with self-definition in a world of ambiguous morality and shifting loyalties. At the heart of this exploration is Charlie Fitzer, whose journey of self-discovery unfolds amidst a tumultuous landscape of uncertainty and shifting allegiances.

Charlie's sense of belonging and identity is tenuous from the outset, exacerbated by a series of personal and professional setbacks. As a divorced former business reporter, Charlie grapples with feelings of inadequacy and stagnation. Returning to his childhood home offers a fleeting sense of comfort, yet it also serves as a reminder of a life that feels increasingly stagnant. Aware of his isolation, Charlie reflects on his dwindling connections with friends and neighbors, lamenting the distance that has grown between them. Despite his desire to break free from this isolation, he finds himself trapped in a cycle of self-imposed seclusion, longing for companionship but unsure of how to attain it. Realizing that he knows little about his neighbors, he reflects, “I could have made an effort to be more neighborly" (52). However, amidst the pessimism that clouds his attempts to belong, there is a glimmer of hope as Charlie entertains the possibility of running the local pub.