extremely underrated trope is the villain's sacrificial lambs that weren't misunderstood or being kept in the dark or mind-controlled when they were evil but are forced into a redemption arc because the villain betrayed them personally. former villains who only stopped because they failed or were caught. grunts that are discarded and switch sides only because they have no other choice. people who need to be force-fed morality to stay alive on the good team. people who improve but are never absolved. people who wanted to raise hell and only change their mind when they, too, are burned.