Vigo the Carpathian
A 16th-century European tyrant and powerful magician seeking to escape his painting and conquer the world through possession of a child.
Vigo the Carpathian is a 16th-century European tyrant and powerful magician who serves as the primary antagonist of Ghostbusters II. He is trapped within a painting at the art museum where Dana Barrett works, and comes to life to enslave her boss, Janosz Poha. Vigo orders Janosz to bring him a child to possess, allowing him to escape the confines of his painting and live again to conquer the world. Because of Janosz's infatuation with Dana, he chooses her infant son Oscar. Vigo ultimately takes on a physical form during the climax, immobilizing Dana and the Ghostbusters, but is weakened by the positive emotions of crowds singing 'Auld Lang Syne' and is sent back to his painting.
- Character Type
- Supernatural Antagonist / Warlock
- First Appearance
- Ghostbusters II (1989 film)
- Status
- Defeated and banished to the afterlife
- Origin Era
- 16th Century Transylvania
Lore & Background
Vigo the Carpathian is a 16th-century European tyrant and powerful magician whose spirit is trapped within a painting at the Manhattan art museum where Dana Barrett works restoring artwork. The painting comes to life and enslaves Dana's boss, Janosz Poha, ordering him to bring a child for Vigo to possess, allowing him to escape the confines of his painting and live again to conquer the world. Because of Janosz's infatuation with Dana, he chooses her infant son Oscar. The Ghostbusters discover that the slime beneath New York City reacts to emotions and has accumulated from the negative emotions of New Yorkers, and determine that Vigo and the slime are connected. On New Year's Eve, the slime rises to the streets, causing widespread supernatural chaos. The Ghostbusters use slime charged with positive emotions to animate and pilot the Statue of Liberty through the streets filled with cheering citizens, weakening the slime barrier at the museum. The gathered crowds outside begin singing a chorus of 'Auld Lang Syne', and their positivity weakens Vigo, sending him back to the painting and freeing the Ghostbusters. Vigo possesses Ray, but the Ghostbusters use their weapons to free him and defeat Vigo, his painting being replaced by one depicting their likenesses surrounding Oscar.
In Their Own Story
The painting of Vigo the Carpathian hangs in the Manhattan art museum where Dana Barrett works restoring artwork. The painting comes to life and enslaves Dana's boss, Janosz Poha. Vigo orders Janosz to bring him a child to possess, allowing him to escape the confines of his painting and live again to conquer the world. Because of his infatuation with Dana, Janosz chooses Oscar. A spirit appearing as Janosz kidnaps Oscar, and Dana pursues them into the museum, which is then covered with impenetrable slime. On New Year's Eve, the slime rises to the streets, causing widespread supernatural chaos. The Ghostbusters use slime charged with positive emotions to animate and pilot the Statue of Liberty through the streets filled with cheering citizens. At the museum, the slime barrier partially recedes due to the positive emotions. The Ghostbusters use the Statue's torch to break through the ceiling, stopping Vigo from possessing Oscar, then rappel through the ceiling and neutralize Janosz with positive slime. Vigo takes on a physical form, immobilizes Dana and the Ghostbusters, and recaptures Oscar. The gathered crowds outside begin singing a chorus of 'Auld Lang Syne', and their positivity weakens Vigo, sending him back to the painting and freeing the Ghostbusters. Vigo possesses Ray, but the Ghostbusters use their weapons to free him and defeat Vigo, his painting being replaced by one depicting their likenesses surrounding Oscar.
Reader's Guide
Vigo the Carpathian is a 16th-century European tyrant and powerful magician who serves as the primary antagonist of Ghostbusters II. His spirit is trapped within a painting at the Manhattan art museum where Dana Barrett works. He comes to life and enslaves Dana's boss, Janosz Poha, ordering him to bring a child for Vigo to possess, allowing him to escape the confines of his painting and live again to conquer the world. Because of Janosz's infatuation with Dana, he chooses her infant son Oscar. The Ghostbusters discover that the slime beneath New York City reacts to emotions and has accumulated from the negative emotions of New Yorkers, and determine that Vigo and the slime are connected. On New Year's Eve, the slime rises to the streets, causing widespread supernatural chaos. The Ghostbusters use slime charged with positive emotions to animate and pilot the Statue of Liberty through the streets filled with cheering citizens, weakening the slime barrier at the museum. The gathered crowds outside begin singing a chorus of 'Auld Lang Syne', and their positivity weakens Vigo, sending him back to the painting and freeing the Ghostbusters. Vigo possesses Ray, but the Ghostbusters use their weapons to free him and defeat Vigo, his painting being replaced by one depicting their likenesses surrounding Oscar.
Did You Know?
- Vigo the Carpathian is a 16th-century European tyrant and powerful magician, as stated in the source.
- The film features Wilhelm von Homburg as Vigo the Carpathian, voiced by Max von Sydow.
- Vigo's painting is replaced at the end of the film by one depicting the Ghostbusters' likenesses surrounding Oscar.
- Vigo orders Janosz Poha to bring him a child to possess, allowing him to escape the confines of his painting and live again to conquer the world.
- The gathered crowds outside the museum singing 'Auld Lang Syne' weaken Vigo, sending him back to the painting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Vigo the Carpathian?
Vigo is a powerful 16th-century warlock from Transylvania who was executed by burning and subsequently transformed into a ghost. He serves as the primary antagonist in the original 1984 Ghostbusters film.
What are Vigo's powers and goals?
His abilities include possession, telekinesis, and fire manipulation, which he uses to seek physical flesh again. His ultimate aim is to conquer New York City by taking over the body of a young boy named Oscar.
Where does Vigo hide before being released?
For centuries, his spirit remained trapped within an oil painting located in the New York Public Library. He waits there until specific conditions allow him to escape and find a human host.
How is Vigo defeated in the film?
The Ghostbusters sever his connection to his physical host by using proton streams to pull his spirit out of Oscar's body. Once separated from flesh, he is captured in a containment unit and banished to the afterlife.
Why is Vigo important to the Ghostbusters franchise?
He established the high stakes of supernatural threats facing New York City in the first movie. His defeat proved that even ancient, powerful sorcerers could be stopped by the team's technology and teamwork.
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