Masters Of Menace
Have you ever found yourself rooting for the bad guy or just hating their presence? Well, we’ve all done that. Without these engrossing characters, the plotline would be incomplete. So, here are the best cinematic villains who turned evil into an art form.
21. Jafar: Aladdin Franchise
Jafar is the bad guy in the 1992 animated movie Aladdin and its sequel, The Return of Jafar. He is also part of the Aladdin TV series and the Descendants series as Jay’s dad. Jonathan Freeman voiced Jafar in the animated film and the Broadway adaptation.
Aladdin (1992) - Walt Disney Pictures
21. Jafar: Aladdin Franchise (Cont.)
Basically, Jafar is characterized by his desire for power. He seeks to obtain a magic lamp that houses an all-powerful Genie. Jafar then intends to use its powers to take over Agrabah and the whole world. He is shown as a slender man with extravagant robes.
ALADDIN Clip - Sorcerer Jafar (1992) Disney by JoBlo Animated Videos
20. The Borg Queen: Star Trek
She was first brought in in Star Trek: First Contact and has since become one of the most famous villains in Star Trek lore. Portrayed by Alice Krige, the Borg Queen acts similarly to an insect queen by coordinating the actions of the Borg drones.
Star Trek: First Contact: The Borg Queen by Binge Society
20. The Borg Queen: Star Trek (Cont.)
In First Contact (1996), she attempts to prevent humanity’s First Contact with Vulcans by traveling back in time. Later, in Star Trek: Picard, a new version of the Borg Queen enters, portrayed by Annie Wersching. She is seen as seductive and manipulative.
Star Trek: First Contact: The Borg Queen by Binge Society
19. Patrick Bateman: American Psycho
Bateman is a 27-year-old investment banker working on Wall Street. He lives a rich lifestyle of materialism and superficiality. By day, he presents himself as a banker; by night, he moves into a violent alter ego that forces him to commit heinous acts of murder.
I'm not David; I'm Patrick Bateman. | American Psycho by Clip Kings
19. Patrick Bateman: American Psycho (Cont.)
Christian Bale perfectly fits this character. First, Leonardo DiCaprio was considered for the role but he didn’t take it due to creative differences. It has been reported that the actor spent time on Wall Street to prepare for his role as he interacted with real traders.
'Patrick Goes to Dinner with Evelyn' Scene | American Psycho by Movies After Midnight
18. Keyser Söze: The Usual Suspects
Söze’s character is an amalgamation of mysterious villain archetypes from different stories. The name “Söze” comes from a Turkish saying that means “to talk way too much” and The Usual Suspects director behind the magic is Bryan Singer.
The Usual Suspects (1995) Keyser Soze Profile HD by Robert Sandu
18. Keyser Söze: The Usual Suspects (Cont.)
The 1995 film story is told through the narration of Roger “Verbal” Kint. According to Kint, Söze began his criminal career as a small-time drug dealer. One of Söze’s best lines is, “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist”.
PolyGram, The Usual Suspects (1995)
17. The Wicked Witch Of The West: The Wizard Of Oz
The Wicked Witch of the West first shows up in Baum’s original novel, which was published in 1900. In the classic 1939 film, she is then famously depicted by actress Margaret Hamilton. She rules over the Winkie Country, where she uses her powers to control creatures.
17. The Wicked Witch Of The West: The Wizard Of Oz (Cont.)
Like any other witch, she possesses magical abilities, like the power to summon wolves, crows, bees, and the Winged Monkeys using a magical Golden Cap. It’s quite obvious that she has green skin and wears a black hat and cloak. Water is seen as her ultimate weakness.
16. Cruella De Vil: One Hundred And One Dalmatians
As a villain, Cruella ranks 39th on the American Film Institute’s selection of the 100 greatest Heroes and Villains. It was the stunning Glenn Close who took on the role of Cruella in the live-action adaptations of 101 Dalmatians (1996) and its sequel, 102 Dalmatians (2000).
Walt Disney, 101 Dalmatians (1996)
16. Cruella De Vil: One Hundred And One Dalmatians (Cont.)
In the film, Cruella also has a memorable song titled “Cruella de Vil”, which describes her as a terrifying figure whose very presence is associated with evil. Additionally, critic Roger Ebert reportedly stated that she was one of the standout elements of the movie.
Walt Disney, One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
15. Bane: The Dark Knight Rises
“You merely adopted the dark; I was born in it”—this is one of Bane’s highly memorable lines. What’s unmissable is the climactic battle between Bane and Batman turns into a fight where Bane seemingly breaks Batman’s back, showing his dominance over Gotham’s protector.
The Dark Knight Rises, Warner Bros. Pictures
15. Bane: The Dark Knight Rises (Cont.)
About his background, Bane, played by Tom Hardy, is introduced as a former member of the League of Shadows. He basically wants to fulfill Ra’s al Ghul’s mission to destroy Gotham City. In The Dark Knight Rises, Bane's strength comes from his training and the pain-numbing mask.
The Dark Knight Rises, Warner Bros.
14. John Doe: Seven
This man sees himself as an avenging arbiter of morality as he aims to expose the wickedness of society by punishing those he deems sinful. Doe’s actions are driven by a twisted sense of justice, where each murder represents one of the seven deadly sins.
Analyzing Evil: John Doe, From Se7en by The Vile Eye
14. John Doe: Seven (Cont.)
These sins are gluttony, greed, sloth, lust, pride, envy, and wrath. Unlike typical movie villains, John Doe is said to exhibit a calm and calculating demeanor. Detective Somerset, in the film, even recognizes similarities of solitary between himself and Doe.
13. Gollum: The Lord Of The Rings
Gollum was originally a hobbit named Sméagol. He belonged to a branch of hobbits known as the Stoor, living near the River Anduin. His transformation into Gollum only began after he discovered the One Ring. Gollum possesses a dual character throughout.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers New Line Cinema
13. Gollum: The Lord Of The Rings (Cont.)
So, one side is the good-natured Sméagol, and the other is the malevolent Gollum. He often argues with himself about his actions. Despite his villainous nature, he is seen as a tragic character. His obsession with the Ring even drives him to bite Frodo’s finger off to reclaim it.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King New Line Cinema
12. Hans Gruber: Die Hard
Alan Rickman did a fabulous job with his depiction of the antagonist in this 1988 movie. Gruber has allegedly made it onto a bunch of lists for movie villains, and he’s even ranked 46th on AFI’s “100 Years...100 Heroes and Villains”. It is still seen as a popular character.
D.Hard (1988), Twentieth Century Fox
12. Hans Gruber: Die Hard (Cont.)
In fact, it was so loved by all that it led to the ultimate introduction of his brother Simon Gruber, played by Jeremy Irons, as the antagonist in Die Hard with a Vengeance. Throughout the movie, Gruber engages in a psychological cat-and-mouse game with McClane.
Hans Gruber Scene | Die Hard (1988) by Ultimate Action Movie Club
12. Hans Gruber: Die Hard (Cont.)
So, he is apparently a highly intelligent and sophisticated criminal mastermind from West Germany. Gruber, with his cold, calculated approach, used to be part of the Volksfrei movement, which was sort of inspired by real-life radical groups like the Red Army Faction.
In The Mind Of A Villain: Hans Gruber from Die Hard by In The Mind of A Villain
11. Max Cady: Cape Fear
Max Cady is the main antagonist in the original 1962 film Cape Fear and its 1991 remake, portrayed by Robert Mitchum and Robert De Niro, respectively. He is seen as a violent psychopath and ex-convict who serves a 14-year prison sentence for assault.
Analyzing Evil: Max Cady From Cape Fear (1991) by The Vile Eye
11. Max Cady: Cape Fear (Cont.)
He holds his old lawyer, Sam Bowden, responsible for his conviction and thinks that Bowden’s lack of a solid defense is what ended up getting him locked up for so long. A lot of psychological manipulation and intimidation come after that.
Analyzing Evil: Max Cady From Cape Fear (1991) by The Vile Eye
10. Michael Myers: Halloween Series
Now, we have the classic silent killer. In the original film, Michael is often referred to as “The Shape” in the credits, a name that emphasizes his role as an almost supernatural force of evil. Michael Myers first shows up in John Carpenter’s Halloween (1978).
Halloween - The OG Michael Myers Featurette (HD) by Universal Pictures
10. Michael Myers: Halloween Series (Cont.)
He is a kid who ends up killing his big sister on Halloween night in 1963. Fifteen years later, he escapes from Smith’s Grove Sanitarium and returns to continue his killing spree. Throughout the Halloween series, Myers stays silent. He rarely speaks, grunting occasionally.
Halloween - The OG Michael Myers Featurette (HD) by Universal Pictures
9. Sauron: The Lord Of The Rings
Sauron is the Dark Lord of Mordor. He seeks to dominate all of Middle-earth using the power of the One Ring, which he has lost and desperately wants to recapture. This individual is highly skilled in manipulation and deception. Let’s not get to seduction.
SAURON | Lord of the Rings by Slyfer2812
9. Sauron: The Lord Of The Rings (Cont.)
He literally disguised himself as Annatar, the “Lord of Gifts”, to seduce the Elves into helping him forge the Rings of Power. In the Lord of the Rings trilogy by Peter Jackson, Sala Baker played Sauron, while Alan Howard provided the voice.
Sauron as Annatar | Season 2 of The Rings Of Power | Episode 2 by Above The Previews
8. Freddy Krueger: A Nightmare On Elm Street
A malevolent spirit who haunts the dreams of his victims? Here you go. Freddy Krueger was created by filmmaker Wes Craven and first debuted in this 1984 film. It’s easy to recognize this man by his burned and disfigured face and a dirty red-and-green striped sweater.
8. Freddy Krueger: A Nightmare On Elm Street (Cont.)
He also wears a brown fedora and a glove with razor-sharp blades joined to the fingers. In fact, his glove is one of his most recognizable features and primary weapon. Unlike other horror villains, Freddy has a dark sense of humor and witty one-liners.
A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child (1989) - Freddy's Son Scene | Movieclips by Movieclips
8. Freddy Krueger: A Nightmare On Elm Street (Cont.)
Throughout the original film series, Robert Englund has played the role most of the time. A fresh portrayal of Freddy was then provided by Jackie Earle Haley, who took on the character in the 2010 remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street.
7. Anton Chigurh: No Country For Old Men
Javier Bardem brings to us a chilling representation of pure evil. Some critics believe that Chigurh is a “symbolic vulture” who is an example of chaos and the randomness of fate. His actions, in a way, force others to confront their own morality.
Paramount, No Country for Old Men (2007)
7. Anton Chigurh: No Country For Old Men (Cont.)
Javier Bardem’s performance earned him many accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (2008). He also won the 2008 Boston Society of Film Critics Award and the BAFTA Award for Best Film Actor in a Supporting Role.
Paramount, No Country for Old Men (2007)
6. Scar: The Lion King
Scar, originally known as Taka, is the younger brother of the king of the Pride Lands, Mufasa. It was his jealousy and resentment toward Mufasa that drove him to plot against his brother and his nephew, Simba. Of course, his goal is to seize the throne of the Pride Lands.
Animation of Scar from The Lion King by Az Adamson
6. Scar: The Lion King (Cont.)
Scar has a pretty sarcastic sense of humor that makes him stand out. One of his classic lines, “I’m surrounded by idiots”, totally shows how he feels about everyone else around him. The character was animated by Andreas Deja and voiced by Jeremy Irons in the original film.
Animation of Scar from The Lion King by Az Adamson
5. Agent Smith: The Matrix franchise
Agent Smith’s appearance includes a black suit, white dress shirt, dark sunglasses, and an earpiece. Hugo Weaving played Agent Smith in the first three films of The Matrix series. He is depicted as an AI program that maintains order within the matrix by eliminating threats.
Best Agent Smith Moments [MASHUP] | The Matrix | TNT by TNT
5. Agent Smith: The Matrix franchise (Cont.)
He is definitely one of cinema’s greatest villains. In 2008, he was chosen by Empire magazine bagging the 84th Greatest Movie Character of All Time, underlining his impact on popular culture. The film itself won four Oscars at the 72nd Academy Awards in 2000.
Best Agent Smith Moments [MASHUP] | The Matrix | TNT by TNT
4. Norman Bates: Psycho
The character Norman Bates was inspired by the real-life serial killer Ed Gein. Gein had some messed up behaviors that influenced both Bloch’s novel and Hitchcock’s movie. He also had a tricky relationship with his mom, which is similar to Bates’ struggles.
4. Norman Bates: Psycho (Cont.)
Norman has a split personality, switching back and forth between being a nice motel owner and acting like his mom, “Mother”, who is super controlling. The success of Psycho led to several sequels and adaptations that further improvised Bates’s character.
3. Voldemort: Harry Potter Series
So, is there anyone who hasn’t come across this figure? Some kids even fear his very image. Most witches and wizards themselves fear Voldemort so much that they avoid saying his name, referring to him instead as “You-Know-Who” or “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named”.
Warner Bros., Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
3. Voldemort: Harry Potter Series (Cont.)
Voldemort was born as Tom Marvolo Riddle with a troubled childhood. He is the archenemy of Harry Potter, and the aim is to kill him. Ralph Fiennes is best known for portraying Voldemort, first showing up in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005).
Warner Bros., Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
2. The Joker: Batman Series
This is our well-known chaotic and unpredictable villain with a sadistic sense of humor. The Joker debuted in Batman #1 in April 1940, created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson. He was initially shown as a psychopathic serial killer and jewel thief.
2. The Joker (Cont.)
This one is Batman’s greatest foe. Joaquin Phoenix, the Joker in Joker (2019), snagged an Oscar for Best Actor. Similarly, Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight (2008) rightly won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He is definitely one of the best bad guys out there.
Warner Bros., The Dark Knight (2008)
1. Darth Vader: Star Wars Saga
And now, for the one we’ve all been waiting for. The best in the business has to be Darth Vader, who was known as Anakin Skywalker by birth. He was a Jedi Knight who fell to the dark side and became a Sith Lord under Emperor Palpatine (Darth Sidious).
Twentieth Century, The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
1. Darth Vader: Star Wars Saga (Cont.)
Some of his recognizable features consist of his deep voice, which is provided by James Earl Jones, mechanical breathing, and imposing black armor. Interestingly, it is reported that the famous line “I am your father” was kept secret even from the actors during filming to avoid leaks.
