You've probably seen them. Those grainy, often monochromatic clips or high-contrast edits featuring two characters who look like they want to destroy each other—or maybe just kiss. It’s a specific vibe. My dearest nemesis videos have carved out a massive niche on TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts, tapping into a psychological trope that humans have been obsessed with since literally the dawn of storytelling.
It isn't just about "enemies to lovers." That’s too simple.
This is about the aesthetic of rivalry. It’s about that one person who defines your existence because they are the only one who truly matches your energy. Honestly, it’s kind of exhausting how good these edits are. They use specific tracks—often slowed-down versions of "Little Dark Age" or haunting orchestral covers—to make a 15-second clip feel like a cinematic masterpiece.
What are my dearest nemesis videos actually about?
At the core, these videos celebrate the "foil." In literature, a foil is a character who contrasts with another to highlight particular qualities. But in the world of short-form video, the "dearest nemesis" is someone more intimate. It’s Sherlock and Moriarty. It’s Batman and the Joker. It’s Jo March and Amy March.
Wait.
Why do we love watching people hate each other?
Psychologists often point to "transference." We see our own internal conflicts played out on screen. When you watch my dearest nemesis videos, you aren't just looking at fictional characters; you’re looking at the personification of "the other." The person who knows your secrets, your weaknesses, and your coffee order, but uses that information to ruin your day. It’s a weirdly personal connection.
The trend blew up because it moved away from the "villain" archetype and toward something more nuanced. A nemesis isn't always a bad guy. Sometimes, they're just the person on the other side of the chess board.
The visual language of the nemesis trend
If you want to make one of these, you can't just throw together random clips. There is a specific visual grammar at play.
First, let’s talk color grading. Most my dearest nemesis videos lean heavily into desaturation. Think deep blues, harsh greys, or even high-contrast black and white. It creates a "prestige TV" look. You want the viewer to feel the coldness of the rivalry.
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Then there’s the "match cut."
This is a technical editing trick where you cut from one character’s face to their rival’s face in the exact same position on the screen. It suggests they are two sides of the same coin. It's effective. It's jarring. It works every single time.
Music choice is the final pillar. You won’t find upbeat pop here. You’ll find:
- "The Perfect Girl" (Mareux)
- "Mary On A Cross" (Ghost)
- Anything by Mitski (specifically "Me and My Husband" or "Your Best American Girl" for the more tragic angles)
The rhythm of the edit usually follows the "beat drop." The first few seconds are slow—build-up, lingering stares, the "almost" moments. Then, the beat hits, and the clips accelerate. It’s a sensory overload designed to trigger a dopamine response.
Why the "Dearest" part matters
The word "dearest" is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. It implies affection. Or, at the very least, a level of respect that you don't give to a common enemy.
In the 2020s, we've seen a shift in how we consume media. We’re tired of the "faceless evil" trope. We want villains we can relate to. We want rivals who have brunch together before they try to take over the world. This is why my dearest nemesis videos often feature pairings like Aziraphale and Crowley from Good Omens or even historical "frenemies" like Hamilton and Burr.
The intimacy is the point. You can't have a nemesis without a deep, abiding interest in their life. You have to study them. You have to understand them. In a way, your nemesis is the person who pays the most attention to you. In a lonely, digital world, that kind of attention—even if it's hostile—is incredibly seductive.
How to find the best versions of these videos
Don't just search the hashtag. That’s amateur hour.
If you want the high-quality stuff—the videos that actually tell a story in sixty seconds—you need to look for specific "edit" accounts. Look for creators who use professional software like After Effects rather than just CapCut templates. You can tell the difference by the "motion blur" and the complexity of the transitions.
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Search for terms like "literary foil edit" or "academic rivals aesthetic." These are the sub-genres where the my dearest nemesis videos trend really shines. You'll find thousands of videos dedicated to the "dark academia" vibe, featuring leather-bound books, rainy windows, and characters who would rather die than let the other person win the class valedictorian spot.
It's basically a digital mood board for people who miss being challenged.
The psychology of the "Rivalry" algorithm
TikTok’s algorithm is terrifyingly good at identifying what kind of "conflict" you enjoy. If you linger on a video of two athletes staring each other down, you’re going to get more nemesis content. But if you watch a video about a messy breakup, the algorithm might pivot.
The "dearest nemesis" content sits in a sweet spot. It appeals to:
- The "shipping" community (people who want the rivals to get together).
- The "cinematography" community (people who just like pretty edits).
- The "psychology" community (people interested in the mechanics of human relationships).
Because it hits all three, these videos have massive "viral potential." They get shared in group chats. They get saved to "vibe" folders. They have longevity that a simple dance trend doesn't.
Common misconceptions about the trend
A lot of people think these videos are just for teenagers. That's wrong.
While the "BookTok" crowd definitely drives a lot of the volume, the "nemesis" trope is universal. Older viewers engage with it through the lens of classic cinema—think Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The appeal is cross-generational because the feeling of having a "worthy opponent" is a universal human experience.
Another mistake? Thinking it’s all about romance.
Sure, "enemies to lovers" is a huge part of it. But some of the most popular my dearest nemesis videos are purely platonic or professional. It’s about the clash. It’s about two forces of nature hitting each other and seeing what happens. It doesn't have to end in a wedding; it can end in a stalemate. Honestly, the stalemate is often more satisfying.
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Actionable steps for engaging with the trend
If you’re a creator, or just someone who wants to dive deeper into this world, here is how you actually navigate it.
Identify your archetype. Are you looking for "The Academic Rivals" (study dates and hidden jealousy)? "The Cosmic Enemies" (gods and monsters)? Or "The Domestic Nemeses" (bickering coworkers who secretly respect each other)? Knowing the sub-genre helps you find better content.
Check the comments. The community around my dearest nemesis videos is incredibly active. They often drop "lore" in the comments that explains the history of the characters being shown. It’s a great way to find new books, shows, or movies to obsess over.
Look for the "original sound." If you find a video you like, click the audio. See how other creators have interpreted that same music. Usually, the "vibe" of the song dictates the "vibe" of the rivalry.
Learn the "slow zoom." If you’re making your own, remember that the most effective nemesis videos use a very slow digital zoom on the characters' eyes. It builds tension. It forces the viewer to look at the emotion behind the hatred.
The reality is that my dearest nemesis videos aren't going anywhere. As long as we have stories, we’ll have rivals. And as long as we have rivals, we’ll have people making 4k edits of them set to 80s synth-pop. It’s just how the internet works now.
To get the most out of this, stop looking for "heroes" and start looking for "mirrors." Your nemesis isn't the person who hates you; they're the person who reflects you. Once you see that, these videos start to look a lot more like character studies and a lot less like simple entertainment.
Find the edits that challenge your perspective. Look for the creators who use lighting to tell a story. Follow the threads of "mutual respect" through the history of cinema and literature. The "dearest nemesis" isn't an enemy to be defeated—they're a partner in a dance that defines who you are.