Harry Potter wouldn't be the same without Voldemort (Ralph Finnes), the sinister villain who Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) battles at every turn. He has dark motives from a young age and doesn't have any redeeming qualities. He and Harry have an unforgettable connection since he's the one who kills Harry's sweet parents Lily and James Potter and this moment is why Harry has a scar in the shape of a lightning strike on his forehead.
Voldemort has a different name and identity become he becomes the villain that he is known as. What happened to him before becoming Lord Voldemort, and why does he make the switch? This backstory is key to understanding why Voldemort and Harry Potter continue to fight each other and why Voldemort is so evil.
Who Was Tom Riddle?
Before he became Lord Voldemort, this character was called Tom Riddle. Tom is a half-blood wizard and a member of Slytherin who becomes a Hogwarts student in 1938. It's during his time at Hogwarts that he realizes that he wants to live forever and begins thinking about the kind of path that he wants to go down. It's terrifying to see how early his evil plans start.
Tom Riddle begins his terrifying character arc when he figures out how to make a Horcrux when he's 16. He knows that he wants to create darkness and pain in the world and has always been like that. The Harry Potter movies make some changes from the books, but Tom Riddle's origins remain similar. In both cases, he wants to cause pain and destruction, and he feels like nothing can possibly stop him. In both versions of the story as well, he sees Harry Potter as his biggest enemy, and he wants to defeat him at all costs. Harry also remains both horrified of Voldemort and determined to fight back and save himself and his friends.
Fans learn more about Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the second book in the series. This is the crucial backstory to why saying Voldemort's name is forbidden. Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright) likes Harry and writes how she feels in a journal that she locates. The journal is magic, as is everything at Hogwarts, and Tom Riddle changes the letters so she reads the words "I am Lord Voldemort." However, the journal is a Horcrux that Voldemort created, which of course makes it terrifying.
Tom Riddle takes over Ginny so she removes a basilisk from the Chamber of Secrets and hurts many at the school. Harry is able to save everyone, which is one of the first times that he battles Voldemort and is victorious. This is a memorable storyline since it allows Harry to learn more about Tom Riddle and Voldemort and feel a bit more confident in his abilities and powers.
How Did Tom Riddle Become Lord Voldemort?
Just like some horror villains have complicated backstories, the story of who Tom Riddle is and how he becomes Voldemort is properly explained. After graduating from Hogwarts in 1945, Tom Riddle goes down a dark path and becomes Lord Voldemort after he vanishes for a little while. When he comes back, he decides that his name should be Lord Voldemort. Harry Potter book readers know Voldemort is on a sinister journey from an incredibly young age, and it seems like nothing can stop him.
On October 31st, 1981, Voldemort killed Harry Potter's parents James and Lily Potter. He made Horcrux number six when his soul went into many parts, and one ended up in Harry. This is definitely the most significant part of Harry and Voldemort's backstory.
Ralph Finnes played Voldemort in the Harry Potter movies and explained in Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return To Hogwarts that his relatives really wanted him to play the character when he had the opportunity to do so. Finnes said, "My sister has children who were then 10, 11 and 12. I said, 'Have you heard about this Voldemort?'" The kids said "What? You are being asked to play Voldemort? You've got to do it."
It's also important to know that Lord Voldemort wants a new name that isn't part of the Riddle family as they are Muggles and he hates them. While some things don't make sense about Muggles, they are still a significant part of the Harry Potter franchise, and how Voldemort feels about them explains a lot about him.
Tom Riddle becoming Lord Voldemort is a haunting and memorable story, and it's satisfying watching Harry defeat Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. There doesn't seem to be any other possible ending for these unforgettable characters, and thankfully, Harry is the one who is victorious.