I Finally Know Scar After Watching Mufasa: The Lion King

Mufasa: The Lion King is currently performing quite well at the box office, which leaves me feeling both excited and conflicted. On one hand, I’m thrilled that the film continues to expand the universe of The Lion King, offering a deeper look into the relationship between Mufasa and Scar. On the other hand, after watching the film, I couldn’t help but feel that Mufasa’s story is overly formulaic. It’s Scar, instead, who made me reevaluate the complexity of his character.

Mufasa: A Born Winner

The storytelling in Mufasa: The Lion King isn’t particularly groundbreaking. It follows the classic template of a hero chosen by destiny who overcomes hardships to claim the throne. But when you look closer, Mufasa doesn’t seem to possess many praiseworthy qualities. Instead, Scar—the so-called villain—steals the spotlight with his thought-provoking story.

Let’s talk about Mufasa’s journey. In the film, he faces danger multiple times, and every time, it’s Scar who saves him. First, Scar risks his life to pull Mufasa out of a crocodile-infested river. Then, during a race, Scar deliberately holds back so Mufasa can win and earn the approval of Scar’s family. Later, Scar pushes Mufasa to safety during a waterfall jump. During a deadly encounter with a white lion, Scar shields Mufasa and gets the iconic scar across his face. Finally, when Mufasa nearly drowns in an underground lake, Scar summons every ounce of strength to rescue him.

Given all this, can we really say Mufasa earned the throne on his own? I don’t think so. Meanwhile, Scar shows little interest in the throne, instead being forced into the role of the antagonist by circumstance.

What’s more, Scar was originally the sole heir to the throne. During that pivotal race, he slowed down intentionally to ensure Mufasa, an outsider at the time, could find a place in their family. This act of generosity left me with newfound respect for Scar: a true ruler needs not just strength, but also compassion. Yet, after accepting this gift, Mufasa gradually replaced Scar in the family hierarchy. This unspoken injustice makes me question whether Mufasa’s so-called “kingly virtues” are truly praiseworthy.

Scar: A Tragic Hero

Scar is portrayed with far more depth in Mufasa: The Lion King. He was born to rule, equipped with intelligence, courage, and a strong sense of responsibility. But after Mufasa joined the family, Scar started losing everything.

The first thing Scar lost was love. The film highlights the bond between Scar and a lioness, Sarabi, which was severed when Mufasa entered the picture. Mufasa didn’t steal her intentionally, but his presence was enough to shatter Scar’s world. This reminded me of those moments in life when we are “naturally” replaced—when an exceptional newcomer wins admiration and unintentionally takes everything we hold dear, leaving us to quietly endure the loss.

Even after losing both his rightful throne and the love of his life, Scar still didn’t turn evil, which is remarkable. In the film’s later scenes, during Mufasa’s fight with the white lion, Scar had a chance to save himself but chose instead to protect Mufasa. This decision left him with a physical scar and permanently altered his fate. From that moment, he ceased to be the invincible Taka and became Scar—a lion marked by both physical and emotional wounds. His anger and resentment began to take root.

I can really understand and empathize with Scar.

Why Scar Feels Like a Tragic Hero?

After watching Mufasa: The Lion King, I’m feeling that Scar is the most complex and compelling character in The Lion King universe. He’s not a simple villain but a tragic hero repeatedly betrayed by fate.

Reflecting on his journey, I struggle to find any major wrongdoing on his part. Scar’s tragedy stems from a family and a world that had already made room for Mufasa, leaving no space for him. He didn’t become a scheming villain because of his own flaws but because the world no longer needed him. Once Mufasa became king, Scar was relegated to living in his shadow, burdened with untold pain and injustice.

We’re used to viewing history through the eyes of the victor, but Scar’s story reminds us that every villain has their reasons.

In real life, we rarely encounter “chosen ones” like Mufasa. Instead, many of us can see ourselves in Scar. In life, most people aren’t the protagonists—they’re the ones who step aside to make room for others.

Scar’s story brings to mind countless real-world examples: seasoned professionals overshadowed by newcomers in the workplace, or unsung heroes who, despite their efforts, are defined forever by a single mistake. Their experiences mirror Scar’s journey.

We need characters like Scar—they’re not perfect, but they’re real. They remind us that life isn’t black and white; it’s filled with shades of gray. Every decision has a backstory, and every so-called failure hides a tale of past glories and silent struggles.

Mufasa: The Lion King makes me truly appreciate Scar’s complexity. He’s not just a villain but a soul burdened with dreams and wounds. He made me realize that concepts like justice and evil are never one-dimensional.

Mufasa may be a competent king, but Scar is the character who resonates the most. He reveals the rawness of life and forces us to reconsider the blurry lines between heroism and villainy. Perhaps, if we viewed the world from the perspective of its villains, we’d find it isn’t so black and white after all.


Catch you later for more movie musings!

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