It just makes it so angsty, because Jax would have been trapped as a kid with all the hormones from puberty. No wonder he would be a jerk. And depending on how long he's been in the circus, he might have even been raised in the circus. And everyone else is an adult, so they essentially were bullied by and bullied back a child.

Lana, my evil OC: lol I was bored and was like Mcfuckit Imma go destroy a kingdom or two

Other character's redemption arcs: The hero being merciful and a new friendship sparking, or a sudden moment of clarity or breaking free from control of a demon.

Mom: Why did you wake me up

Me: Are you sure it wasn't the dog?

Dog: *running around and smacking into things with his wrecking ball tail*