Over the years we have seen a number of memorable and fascinating characters on the big screen, characters that have since become iconic in the world of cinema and beyond. It is arguable that many of the most memorable characters have been the bad guys, the criminals, the murderers, the evil little bastards, personally I have always found the villains to be more interesting characters. The following list is my pick for the top 25 movie villains, it will contain spoilers so beware for those. Also, heroes with heavy flaws or bad people who are protagonists will not be on this list so don't be expecting to see Alex De Large or Daniel Plainview, there will be a future post for those lot.
25. Michael Myers- Halloween franchise.
The silent killer who stalked the babysitters of Haddonfield Illinois on Halloween night, Myers was a force of pure evil. First killing his sister when he was just a boy, Myers went on to kill a number of other individuals from behind his white Shatner mask while on the run from his former Doctor, Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasence). He is an unstoppable force, surviving any sort of attack thrown at him so that he can continue his bloody string of murders.
24. Drexl Spivey- True Romance
An unhinged pimp with a penchant for egg rolls and blaxploitation films, Drexl Spivey (Gary Oldman) was one crazy guy. With his wild mane of dreadlocks and his scar, Spivey was a memorable figure despite his small role in the film. He is as intimidating as he is insane and almost gains the upper hand over the films hero Clarence (Christian Slater) but he meets his maker at the barrel of his shotgun. Drexl is a fantastic character yet his role is only a small one, he is a character that I would love to have seen more of and one of the highlights of Gary Oldman's career.
23. Hans Landa- Inglorious Basterds
This cunning Nazi colonel (Christoph Waltz) was nicknamed 'the jew hunter' as he spent his time hunting jews across Nazi Occupied France. He has excellent skills of deduction and is very charismatic, yet he uses these skills for the benefit of the third reich making him a formidable foe for the basterds. Every scene with Landa is a tense one and he brings this brilliantly suspenseful presence with him at all times, he is certainly one of Quentin Tarantino's finest creations.
22. Freddy Krueger- Nightmare on Elm Street franchise
Instead of taking to the streets or the Texas backroads, this supernatural serial killer (Robert Englund) stalked people in their dreams while they slept. Once a human child killer, Krueger was killed in a fire caused by the angry townsfolk of Springwood, Ohio, only to come back as a demonic killer in his dream world. He has a ghastly appearance from his scarred face to his knived glove, yet he is comedic at times, spouting out more one-liners than his victims spout out blood. He is arguably one of the most iconic villains of modern horror cinema.
21. Agent Smith- The Matrix franchise
The nihilistic Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) was an AI that was created by the machines to keep order within the Matrix by terminating those who showed any opposition. He takes great pleasure in his job and despite his collected demeanour, he usually does resort to more violent methods. He eventually becomes a computer virus of sorts, gaining the ability to make numerous copies of himself and only grows stronger as the films progress. He is a very cool villain, always dressed in his black suits and shades and a dangerous opponent for Neo (Keanu Reeves).
20. Don Logan- Sexy Beast
Ex-con Gal Dove (Ray Winstone) was enjoying his peaceful retirement in his Spanish villa, then along came Don Logan (Ben Kingsley). Logan is a British gangster and sociopath who is tries to recruit Gal for one last job back in England, and he simply won't take no for an answer. He is bad tempered and incredibly unstable, lashing out at every unfortunate victim who crosses his path in fits of rage and violence. He is a man with determination willing to use violence and manipulation to get whatever he wants.
19. T-1000- Terminator 2: Judgement Day
Although the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) was another formidable enemy, he shall be saved for another list. Instead this spot goes to the T-1000 (Robert Patrick), an more advanced model of terminator with the ability to shapeshift due to his body being composed of liquid metal. He is sent back in time by Skynet to kill a young John Connor (Edward Furlong) before he can lead the resistance against the machines. Using his abilities for things such as turning his hands into knives and imitating the foster parents of John Connor , he is even more powerful than the T-800 model and is willing to stop at nothing until he finds and kills John.
18. Count Dracula- Dracula
The eponymous vampire from Bram Stoker's novel has had a number of onscreen portrayals, but my favourite would have to be that of Bela Lugosi. His portrayal is undoubtedly the most iconic and it is probably what most people think of when they hear the name Dracula. The thick accent, the piercing eyes, he is an icon of horror cinema. Coming to London to feed on the living, the vampire almost added Mina Seward (Helen Chandler) to his undead ranks but was stopped by Harker (David Manners) and Dr. Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan).
17. Colonel Kurtz- Apocalypse Now
Once a highly decorated member of the US army, Kurtz (Marlon Brando) went rogue and formed his own military unit in Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Kurtz was worshipped by the natives as a demi-god of sorts, he was an excellent thinker with brilliant oratory skills. He was also insane and used brutal methods on his enemies, methods that include beheading and grizzly torture. He is feared by the US military just as much as the Vietcong and if not for Ben Willard's (Martin Sheen) daring attack on Kurtz, who knows how powerful he could have became.
16. HAL 9000- 2001: A Space Odyssey
A super intelligent computer designed to control the systems of Discovery 1 on its mission to Jupiter, HAL (Douglas Rain) was depended upon by the astronauts on board to ensure that everything was in order aboard Discovery 1. However, astronauts Poole and Bowman soon discover that HAL has a malfunction and attempt to shut him down, to which he does not respond very well. HAL sets about killing the astronauts, making use of the environment around him which he controls. He is clever, his voice is chilling and worst of all he is in control which makes him all the more sinister given the amount of power he holds over the crew.
15. Nurse Ratched- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
R.P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) thinks he's getting the easy way out after he pleads insanity and ends up in the Salem State Hospital, that is until he meets the evil Nurse Ratchet (Louise Fletcher). She is a sadistic woman who takes advantage of her authority to keep the patients in order by revoking things like food and toiletries when they don't do as she says. She is a stern woman with an iron fist who is hated by the patients, a Margaret Thatcher type figure if you will. She clashes many times with McMurphy ultimately resulting in her having him lobotomized, however the patients no longer fear her thanks to him and most of her authority is lost.
14. Bill the Butcher- Gangs of New York
William 'The Butcher' Cutting (Daniel Day Lewis) led the Natives gang in the Five-Points district of New York city in the mid 1800's, attacking immigrants and anyone he saw as un-American. He gains immense power in the area, manipulating political leader Boss Tweed (Jim Broadbent), while also striking fear into his enemies with his brutal methods that include mutilation and torture. He is an extremely intimidating and unpredictable character portrayed impeccably by Day-Lewis and although being a butcher by trade, there are other more brutal reasons behind this nickname.
13. Paul- Funny Games
Dressed in all white and accompanied at all times by his colleague Peter (Frank Giering), Paul (Arno Frisch) is a sadistic maniac who takes great pleasure in torturing families. He uses a combination of physical abuse and psychological abuse to break his victims and taunt them continuously while at the same time discussing the rules of convention in cinema. He also tends to break the fourth wall, often smirking at the camera and addressing the audience throughout the film. He comes across as calm and charming but on the inside, Paul is a sadistic monster.
12. Jack Torrance- The Shining
This is a man on the edge. Although in Stephen King's book, Jack is portrayed as a man struggling with inner demons, the film version (portrayed by Jack Nicholson) is a man who is mad right from the beginning. Jack is near breaking point, from his annoying wife Wendy (Shelly Duvall) to his abstinence from alcohol, there is so much pushing Jack until finally he reaches breaking point during his time as winter caretaker at the sinister Overlook Hotel. He then attempts to murder his family with an axe, unleashing his madness through his rampage through the hotel. Different to the character from the book but a powerful performance from Nicholson.
11. Commodus- Gladiator
Based on the Roman Emperor of the same name, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) killed his father Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) to gain power for himself before slaughtering the family of Maximus Meridius (Russell Crowe). He is greedy and cunning, carefully planning his rise to power by the use of foul play, he is also smug and disrespectful to both friend and enemy. He has a personal vendetta against Maximus and goes as far as poisoning him in an attempt to defeat him in battle, but like all Roman Emperors, Commodus eventually meets his end.
10. Tyler Durden- Fight Club
Nihilist, anarchist, projectionist, Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) is a man with big ideas who befriends the humble narrator (Edward Norton), convincing him to join him in starting a fight club. His head is packed full of facts such as how to make bombs from soap and how to cut porn into reels of film but his aspirations soon turn sinister as the fight club gradually becomes a terrorist organisation known as Project Mayhem. Tyler is a violent anarchist who has no values or beliefs, only destruction. His charisma and oratory skills make him a brilliant leader and he will stop at nothing until he has left the world in ruin, not to mention that plot twist.
9. Anton Chigurh- No Country for Old Men
What's the most you've ever lost in a coin toss? These could very well be the last words you ever hear upon encountering Chigurh (Javier Bardem). He is a violent hitman who is sent to recover two million dollars found by welder Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) after a drug deal gone wrong. He is armed with a captive bolt pistol that he uses on his victims or to break locks on doors, it is his signature weapon throughout the film. He is an unstoppable force to be reckoned with and although he has committed a variety of brutal offences, his greatest crime is his haircut.
8. Darth Vader- Star Wars franchise
Once a brilliant Jedi named Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader (Richard Prowse/James Earl Jones) was born out of hatred and greed as Anakin embraced the dark side and turned on his fellow Jedi. More machine than man, he is enclosed inside a cybernetic life support suit that gives him immense strength and his sinister appearance, along with this he is extremely skilled in the ways of the force. Ruthless in his ways, force choking his way through his enemies, Vader became one of the most prominent figures of the Empire next to Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) himself. Despite this, he gains redemption in the end and his soul is finally at peace.
7. Annie Wilkes- Misery
Although she comes across as sweet and welcoming, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) is anything but that as writer Paul Sheldon (James Caan) soon finds out. After he is in a horrible car accident Paul is rescued by Wilkes who claims to be his biggest fan, but when she discovers that he is killing off her favourite fictional character her darker side comes out. She subjects Paul to a number of torturous acts including beating and 'hobbling him' in the films most infamous scene, she also frequently yells abuse at him calling him things such as 'a dirty birdie'. She is one of the most terrifying women in cinema and Bates has become renowned for her portrayal of Annie.
6. The Joker- The Dark Knight
Although I love Jack Nicholson's portrayal of the Joker in Tim Burton's Batman, it is fair to say that Heath Ledger's version has become the most iconic. He managed to take elements from different versions of the character to make it his own and oh how it worked, the greasy green hair, the smeared facepaint, the scars, he was truly something else. The Joker wreaked havoc on Gotham City, robbing banks, murdering mobsters, all for the sake of chaos. He had no real plan, only to introduce a bit of madness into the world which emphasises how truly unhinged he was. Unfortunately Ledger died some time after filming, however the role gained him an Oscar and high acclaim from both fans and critics alike.
5. Frank Booth- Blue Velvet
This insane crime boss (Dennis Hopper) has done everything from kindapping to rape and even murder to get what he wants, that being beautiful singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rosselini). He is sadistic and suffers from a split-personality disorder that seems to be connected with a mysterious gas that he frequently inhales. In order to win over Dorothy he kidnaps her son and husband, forcing her to obey his commands in order to keep them safe, a promise he does not live up to. Frank is extremely violent and unhinged, lashing out at random on whoever is near, be it to friend or foe.
4. Norman Bates- Psycho
Tall, handsome and charming, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) seems like the perfect man. He works at his family motel greeting guests along with taking up taxidermy as a hobby, however behind this simple life lies a dark secret. Norman suffers from a split personality disorder, switching to the persona of his deceased mother whenever he feels sexually aroused which causes him to commit violent murders while dressed as 'mother'. If that wasn't enough, he keeps the rotting corpse of his dear mother in the basement of their gothic house that looms over the motel. He may seem like your ordinary, mild-mannered man, but Norman Bates is much more sinister.
3. Keyser Soze- The Usual Suspects
The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled is convincing the world he didn't exist. These are the words uttered by Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey) in the final scene of The Usual Suspects when it is revealed that he is the mythical crime boss Keyser Soze. Throughout the film Soze is talked about like a boogeyman of the criminal underworld, nobody knows what he looks like or who he even is apart from a select few. By the films end it is revealed that it was in fact the narrator, Kint, who was Soze, posing as a disabled and meek man. A manipulative sociopath, Soze evades custody by fabricating the story and placing the blame on his colleague Dean Keaton (Gabriel Byrne). As soon as the police realise the truth it is too late and Soze has already made his escape.
2. Hans Gruber- Die Hard
Ruthless criminal mastermind Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) arrives at the Nakatomi Corporation during a Christmas party accompanied by his henchmen. The German baddie and his men went under the guise of terrorists in order to steal millions of dollars from the corporation, not anticipating the intervention of Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis). Charismatic, violent and extremely intelligent, Gruber was relentless and murdered nonchalantly when he needed to, making him a brutal leader. It was his brains, however, that were his greatest asset, orchestrating his grand scheme along with having brilliant skills of improvisation. It is clear that Gruber is one of the most intelligent villains on the list, however, there is one man who beat him to the top spot...
1. Hannibal Lecter- Hannibal franchise
Although originally portrayed by Brian Cox in Manhunter and most recently on television by Mads Mikkelsen in Hannibal, Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Hannibal Lecter is undoubtedly the most iconic. From his first appearance in The Silence of the Lambs to his more prominent role in its sequel Hannibal and brief appearances in Red Dragon, Hopkins' version of Hannibal was extremely creepy yet impossible to look away from. He brings an eerie presence with him wherever he goes and we get a true sense of how dangerous the cannibalistic doctor is in his infamous escape scene in The Silence of the Lambs. Apart from being a deranged cannibal, he is sophisticated and cultured, having a superiority complex of sorts due to his immense intellect. Lecter is without a doubt the most intelligent and most intimidating villains in cinematic history and Hopkins does a brilliant job at bringing the character to life.
So that was my pick for the top 25 villains in cinema, obviously you'll have your own opinions so if you have a favourite movie villain that I have left out then let me know. I will be following up this list soon so stay tuned, until next time!
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