Key Takeaways
- Loki evolved from a selfish villain to a morally complex character through heroic acts and changes in motivations.
- Despite past misdeeds, Loki showed loyalty to family, protected Asgard, and avoided becoming a tyrant.
- Loki's heroic sacrifices, alliances, and redemption arcs reflect significant character growth and evolution in the MCU's Infinity Saga.
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Loki is no stranger to changing his allegiance throughout the MCU, which adds a strong unpredictability element to his character. During the Infinity Saga, Loki is mostly motivated by his selfishness and greed, but the viewers slowly witness an arc of evolution as he moves away from pure egoism and begins to commit heroic acts to help his brother, making him a rather complex and morally gray character.
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At first, Loki was a villain, the most notable of his actions being the crisis in New York and his alliance with the Chitauri, but his defeat taught him a few lessons. Ever since, Loki has realized the error of his ways and slowly but surely stepped away from evil. Even though it was not an immediate change, Loki displayed his virtues on multiple occasions, which allowed him to earn his place as a redeemed character. Following that change of heart, these are the best things the MCU's Loki has ever done.
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8 Surrendered
Loki Went Home Peacefully
- The Avengers (2012)
One of Loki’s most evil acts is undoubtedly the carnage he caused when invading New York. In his bid for power and control of the Tesseract, he doomed countless lives by unleashing the might of the Chitauri upon the Earth, something that only the Avengers could halt. However, this battle was also a major turning point for Loki due to his crushing defeat.
After failing to destroy the Avengers and being defeated and humiliated by Hulk, Loki surrendered and peacefully went to Asgard as Thor’s prisoner. His complacency allowed the God of Mischief to come to terms with his mistakes and eventually atone for his sins by helping Thor.
7 Saved Odin
Protected His Father’s Life
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- Thor (2011)
Loki orchestrated many of Thor’s events so that Odin would see him as a worthy heir and someone to whom he could entrust the throne of Asgard. A part of his plan included manipulating Laufey and the frost giants into attacking Asgard in an attempt to claim his victory and destroy a reviled opponent. However, Loki never intended to let it happen.
When Laufey was about to kill Odin, Loki backstabbed him and ended the giant’s life, proving his loyalty to his father. He hoped that this act of protection would ensure him a place on the throne. His motives were quite selfish, but Loki still displays dedication to his foster family and refuses to side with the enemy.
6 Ruled Over Asgard
Avoided Becoming A Tyrant
- Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
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Loki’s actions in Thor: The Dark World led to him getting the opportunity of a lifetime to finally claim the throne of Asgard. While this would not have been with Odin’s allowance or admiration, he used Odin’s absence to masquerade as his father and become the supreme ruler of Asgard over the next several years.
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Despite his rule having many drawbacks, such as nationwide complacency and laziness, one vice Loki avoided was becoming a tyrant to his people, which is something his biological father, Laufey, would undoubtedly have been. Loki allowed for freedom and entertainment for his people, showing that he did not seek to oppress.
5 Helped Thor Escape Sakaar
Brothers Working Together
- Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
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In Thor: Ragnarok, both Thor and Loki end up in a rather unfortunate predicament, trapped on the scavenger world of Sakaar. The two have multiple conflicts along the way, with Loki attempting to backstab Thor at one point. However, eventually, the two brothers made some new allies and made peace with each other as well.
Eventually, the pair worked as an effective duo in their quest to escape the scavenger world, with this becoming a major turning point for Loki, who joined the side of the heroes in this moment. His aid was crucial in helping Thor and others escape and eventually return to continue the battle in Asgard.
4 Fought Hela
Tried To Save Asgard
- Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Loki was at his most heroic in Thor: Ragnarok. Despite retaining his mischievous and somewhat selfish personality, he displayed loyalty and love towards his brother, showing that he was far from a complete monster. When Thor’s sister, Hela, challenged her brother to claim Asgard, Loki stood by his side.
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When the two returned for the final battle, Loki was at Thor's side. He made peace with his mistakes and conflicting loyalties, proudly standing by his brother in the conflict. Ultimately, he helped activate Ragnarok and played a part in Hela’s defeat, becoming a new, albeit short-lived, leader for Asgardians, along with Thor.
3 Fought Against Frost Giants
Defended His Home
- Thor (2011)
Even as far back as the first Thor movie, Loki displayed redeemable qualities. Despite his constant arguments and spats with his brother, the God of Mischief still had a soft spot for Thor and sometimes wished to protect him. This was especially challenging during the first movie when Thor had not yet wisened up and remained a naive conqueror.
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This younger Thor was more than willing to launch a war campaign against frost giants, which he did, and could have injured himself or even died in the process. Loki was with him, and instead of abandoning his rival, he helped Thor get out alive and return home safely, showing that he loved his brother despite their complicated relationship.
2 Saved Jane
Risked His Life
- Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Thor: The Dark World introduces Loki as a controversial character. He undoubtedly commits crimes, such as helping the Dark Elves reach the Asgardian palace, but his last act is that of a hero. In the first movie, Loki is far less eager to help his brother and especially his brother's human friends, but he changes his mindset in this sequel.
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When Jane Foster, Thor’s love, was endangered by the power of the Aether, threatening to absorb everything in its range, Jane was nearly caught up in the blast. Loki’s timely rescue by pushing her aside allowed the woman to survive and made it far easier for Thor to forgive and make up with Loki in the next movie.
1 Almost Killed Thanos
A Heroic Sacrifice
- Avengers: Infinity War (2019)
The finale of Ragnarok was hopeful for all surviving Asgardians, including Loki, but it did not last long. At the beginning of Avengers: Infinity War, their ship was attacked by Thanos and his crew, who easily sabotaged and annihilated their opposition. Even Hulk’s full might was not enough to stop Thanos when he had the Power Stone.
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Loki made a valiant attempt to stand up to Thanos in his own way. He pretended to kneel before him and willingly give the Tesseract away, but he attempted to kill Thanos with the use of his illusions. It failed, and Loki met his demise, but it showed how much he'd progressed as a character. He was unwilling to give in to selfishness and was ready to challenge powerful enemies like Thanos.
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