Exploring the appeal of villainous characters in film-induced tourism: perceived charismatic leadership and justice sensitivity

This study explores how villainous characters enhance the attractiveness of tourist destinations within the context of film-induced tourism. Integrating character arc theory, reception aesthetics, emotion contagion theory, and place attachment theory, the research examines the perceived charismatic leadership of villainous characters and its impact on film tourists' emotions, place attachment, and visit intention. A questionnaire distributed to 532 viewers of the Chinese drama *The Knockdown* revealed that charismatic villainous characters significantly influence visit intention, mediated by place attachment and moderated by justice sensitivity.

Rui Yao, Jian Yang