American Psycho
“There is an idea of a Patrick Bateman; some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me: only an entity, something illusory. And though I can hide my cold gaze, and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable… I simply am not there.”
Talk about delusions of evil and ideas of grandeur. Patrick Bateman is the ultimate sociopath. His ability to blend so efficiently in society yet be so detached is the most compelling aspect of Patrick Bateman to endure. His fixation with Huey Lewis and Phil Collins showed an obsession with details and things, but an indifference to people and life. Obsessing over his business card and the best restaurant in town becomes an anxiety driven focus. His apathy towards the people that he was supposedly engaged with in friendships, relationships, or sexual partners with has moments of pure and utter amusement, but only because we are perceiving the situations from Bateman’s perspective. The impassive perspective of his vision of the world is strange and darkly enchanting. Even in his most grave moments of violence and reality being distorted, there is something gruesomely delightful about it all, but I guess that’s the point.
Misery
“I am your number one fan. There is nothing to worry about. You are going to be just fine. I am your number one fan.”
Nobody can write original horror like Stephen King or could have created the character Annie Wilkes. But no one could have played the character like Kathy Bates. Since Misery came out the phrase, “I’m your number one fan” has a new sinister connotation. Annie Wilkes, almost the reluctant villain coined the phrase and showed the world what true psychotic obsession really was. The inner battle she faced between her unhealthy adoration of Paul and the novel character he created named Misery with her own strange moral code regarding politeness and etiquette, and conflicted with the necessity of keeping Paul there to “help” him was how she kept a balance. The paradox of who she was and her ultimate reaction to Paul’s rejection makes her one of the most memorable characters ever devised and executed.
Harry Potter Series
“Don’t you turn your back on me, Harry Potter! I want you to look at me when I kill you! I want to see the light leave your eyes!”
Lord Voldemort, also known as Tom Marvolo Riddle, ‘You-Know-Who’, or ‘He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’, is the incarnate of evil and sworn enemy of Harry Potter. Even with his presence only occasionally visible, Voldemort is terrifying even in his absence. The history of who he was and the crimes he committed is enough to frighten anyone, but Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort is proof that the rumors in fact understated his wicked evil. His character is so dark and so thick with malice that he cannot even fathom the idea of love, let alone understand it. His nonchalant demeanor sprinkled with a cold brutality, intolerance for good, and his obsession with Harry is enough to frighten anyone, making the melodramatic Voldemort a formidable and terrifying monster.
Nightmare On Elm Street Series
“When I was alive, I might have been a little naughty… but after they killed me, I became something much, much worse… the stuff nightmares are made of.”
Freddy Krueger is the ultimate horror classic villain. With the perfect casting of Robert Englund as Frederick Charles Krueger who was the product of the violent rape of the nun Amanda Krueger by one hundred maniacs. A tormented child, he may be biggest bad of the big bad horror villains, but his back story and motivations and reasons for going all maniacal are actually empathetic. The deep and twisted history and who he was and what he became makes him all the more fearsome, but also tangible. His twisted and masochistic back round coupled with his choice of victims and the way he haunts them, makes him top of the list of scary and definitely the best of the horror film bad guys.
Die Hard
Alan Rickman makes the list once again as yet another evil character, but what is so scary and delightfully wicked about Hans Gruber is his cold and calculated plan to achieve his goal. His character is dense with intellect, violence, and a cunning beyond most static bad guys in this genre, and Rickman only furthers his pizazz with one of his best roles, and by the stars, that’s really saying something when ones talking about Alan Rickman. Bruce Willis was the man in Die Hard, but Die Hard would have been half the movie without Hans Gruber.
The Silence Of The Lambs
“A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.”
Aliens
The Queen Xenomorph and Ripley have a duel of all duels at the end of “Aliens”. From one pissed off Mama to another, these chicks throw down both in vengeance and plain and simple rage. The smaller, less elaborate looking Xenomorphs, have an intellect about their violence, but this angry Queen is cunning beyond the capacity of her vicious fledglings. Terror and an sense of an adrenaline rush is the simplest way the describe the emotion you feeling when the viewer finally sees “who was laying all those eggs”. Her acid dripping mouth, coupled with a double set of chomping jaws, makes this Mammoth Mama one of cinemas most frightening and exciting villains ever and something far greater than an alien prop.
Goodfellas
“You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it’s me, I’m a little fucked up maybe, but I’m funny how, I mean funny like I’m a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I’m here to fuckin’ amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?”
There have been few gangsters or merciless killers have come close to measuring up to the deviant bravado of Tommy Devito. His blatant disregard for any that pose a threat to him, the cruel demeanor in which he confronts others, and his sense of of entitlement is complemented by a harsh sense of humor, that others go along with simply out of fear. Tommy may not have the maniacal or psychological issues some of the others on the list here have, because he has a learned violence instilled to his very core, embraced and encouraged by those who surround him. In our world, Tommy is a monster, but in his world he is a hero among the nastiest and cruelest of the cruel. As bad as Tommy is, you just can’t help but love him, just a little, though you should never laugh at him.
Jaws
Dying. Dying savagely. Dying in a strange realm that we humans are not native to. Dying as food, food to a creature big enough to bite you in half. The veil of carnage the Shark is able to inflict on it’s prey is detailed slowly, piece by piece. First the poor naked girl by the buoy. Then the people by the beach, and finally the crew of the Orca. By the time the shark is revealed, Jabber Jaw could have emerged from the water and we’d still wet our pants. By that time, every viewer has integrated their own personal fears so deep into the Shark that it could have been green with blue spots. The Shark, and the violent death it represents becomes a subconscious tattoo on our psyche after seeing this film that never quite goes away, ever. -Marc R. Luce
Star Wars Series
“The force is with you young Skywalker, but you’re not a Jedi yet.”
Darth Vader is probably one of the most recognizable characters in the history of film, and for good reason. He’s the ultimate villain of villains. The dark warrior who on a whim may feel the urge to force choke the life out of you. Maybe you glanced sideways at him. Maybe he doesn’t like your hair. Maybe he was just stretching and you got in the way. Either way, Vader is the biggest bad of the big bads. Perhaps Lord Vader was an instrument of the Emperor, but he was the most deadly weapon to ever wander the galaxy. Evil, maniacal, and cold to the very bone, Vader gives the impression that he is beyond humanity until The Empire Strikes Back and suddenly his obsession with finding Luke Skywalker goes beyond a mission for his master. It was the search for a lost son. There is no explanation in the original series as to why or how Luke grew up with his aunt and uncle, but the truth that the films hero, all good in the force, was the son of the most evil being in the entire galaxy is a staggering moment in the tale of Vader. The story Obi-Wan told of Vader once being Anakin Skywalker and being turned by the dark side of the force complicates his character even more and gains serious relevance at this point. The two sides of Vader slowly reveal themselves, and by the end of Return Of The Jedi when he tells Luke, “It’s too late for me” it has a resounding and powerful impact. It doesn’t get much better than Darth Vader.
And for the rest of the list click on any of these images:
Overall, I really like the list, but having Queen Xenomorph in before The Joker makes me a little sad.
I have personal and somewhat irrational attachment to the Queen Xenomorph. Can’t really budge on that one, sorry for the sadness!
Can’t argue with Vader as #1, and I love seeing Gruber and Voldemort listed so high.
If I had one complaint, it would probably be Tommy DeVito. I guess I really didn’t see him as a villain. Is he crazy and wild as hell? Heck ya, but to me he just doesn’t fit into the villain category.
He was definitely a bad guy, and would go bonkers for no reason. He might have been a bad guy to root for but he’s still a bad guy. Don’t call him a clown for sure.
The digitally removed nose always freaks me out a little with Voldermort.
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If you like digitally removed noses… check out Vincent D’Onnofrio in The Salton Sea. AKA: The Tweaker Movie.
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Love This!!!
Thanks Gweed.
Props on Gruber. Mad props
Thank you! Glad to see the love!
Good list. Though I would put Hans at number 2, but that’s mainly because I love Die Hard. Also I can’t really consider Tommy DeVito as a villain, it just doesn’t work in my mind. But still a good list!
Yeah, I agree, I’m not sure if Tommy is a villain – but I still can dig it.
I’m definitely surprised that everyone is thinking Tommy no villain. Maybe I’m wrong, and maybe he’s more of an anti-hero, but I couldn’t stomach making this list without him on it.
I do like the element of surprise with the pick, didn’t see it coming at all!
I’m glad there was some surprises. I figured most of the ten here were kinda forgone conclusions.
Just the order a bit mixed.
Hmmm. I don’t know if I consider Patrick Bateman a villain, I think he’s more a victim of the American Dream. I think Frank Boothe deserves a spot on your list. Love the Hans shout out, and I have always felt that Brian Cox was a far superior Hannibal Lector. I do love lists, and I did yours.
Where’s Bill the Butcher?
Patrick Bateman might be a victim but he is also represents everything that is wrong with our society: greed, selfishness, hypocrisy and content for everything that doesn’t benefit him. I know he would be in my top 10 villains
True – but there is something about Patrick Bateman that keeps me from labeling him a villain – I can’t put my finger on it exactly.
This is going to brew further contemplation in my head – perhaps a character study post is in order for Bateman.
Thanks Castor, I might budge on Tommy a wee bit, but Bateman is all those wonderfully awful things you described. We might enjoy watching him, but he is pure and simply evil.
But I honestly think that he’s evil from the “Reagen Society” – so in essence Bateman would be a victim of the American Dream, and in turn making the Regan Era American Dream evil.
I’m writing a character study of Bateman, I just can’t let this one slide.
You could write a damn book.
Speaking of, have you read the book? Even better than the film.
I hadn’t seen Gangs In New York before the list was created. Sorry Frank!
Aaaaah. Bill the Butcher was brilliant.
Ditto Cox as the better Lector. He was far more eerie than just doing a creepy voice.
I agree, he wasn’t as eccentric – he was boiled down to a creepy motherfucker.
Can I swear on here? Sorry!
Fuck no you can’t! hahahahaha!
Way to cap off your Top 50 villains list! Tommy DeVito is incredibly ruthless and unpredictable, exploding in anger for the smallest offense, glad to see him up the list.
Yeah for someone digging the Tommy DeVito addition. I think he belongs here, just because we love to hate him, doesn’t make him any less of a villain.
FINALLY, you get 10 right. I actually like this Top 10 better than some of the one’s I’ve read in magazines… BTW… I was totally precog on Lecter and Vader!!!
PS. I’m looking into the podcast stuff this weekend!
I’m glad to finally please you Kai, even if Lector is in the Top Ten.
You did totally see the finale, but brilliant people often see things the same way, and how could I make a list like this without Vader as #1?????
Impossible, that’s how.
Woohoo! Keep me updated, I’ll be working a lot but I’ll still be around!
Nice list Heather, did Kevin Spacey make it for The Usual Suspects? I can’t recall, but he seems like a good choice and if I were going back to old movies I’d say Charles Boyer in “Gaslight” he was dastardly scary.
Why is everyone arguing over Tony, the issue should be Patrick Bateman…not a villain:)
I am loving the Bateman/DeVito controversy here. I’m wondering if they weren’t so low on the list that there would be such a heated debate.
I guess my thoughts boil down to the fact that this list is about the GREATEST villains, not scariest or most evil. It does play a factor into what considerations you’d make for the list.
Spacey in the Usual Suspects didn’t make it, but would be a worthy addition to anyones. Great villain.
Oh nice, Has Gruber, The Queen Alien and Jaws:) Very classy…but Vader is so overrated. Number 11 maybe but number 1? Really? Does Vader give you nightmares? Lecter or Kruger, now those guys keep you awake at night…not Annie!
Picking Vader as #1? To that, I say “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO” (quote courtesy of Star Wars Episode III)
How can one argue Vader? Even if you don’t love Star Wars Vader is the damn epitome of villain. I love him more than all the stars in the sky and will irrationally defend his choice till my head explodes.
Thanks for the Gruber love.
Who can argue with Vader @ 1? He was forever the best villain for children of many generations.
Ok, Ok, he can be number 1…it is your site after all. Just please don’t let your head explode…I think you would be missed too much:P
Thank you. I think I’ll be more successful in life with my head attached, but who knows, it could do that Men In Black thing and grow back. I’m sure my mother would wager that as a distinct possibility.
I was waiting, oh-so-patiently….I was sure he was going to be in the Top 5 at the very least. The greatest screen villain (in my estimation) of all-time…Ralph Fiennes’ Amon Goeth. What the hell???? I’m shocked, I’m stunned, I may weep. Goeth is so very disturbing. The guy isn’t only a Nazi (that’s a bonus), but represents the purest of evil known to humanity. First Tommy Lee Jones steals his Oscar and now you kick him while he’s down….Ha! Nazis don’t like that at all… At all!
I Pardon you… NOT!
I didn’t mean to steal his thunder, but I honestly never even considered him, but certainly a well thought out choice. You are right about his performance being highly underrated though, and it makes me wonder why it does and has slipped under the radar, even on this spectacular list.
Heather, you’ve once again inspired me to create my own top 50 villains list. I love it!
I CANNOT WAIT!
Marvelous, m’dear, simply marvelous!
I should have known that Annie Wilkes would crack your top 10. Ditto for Patrick Bateman. And while I’m not the world’s biggest “Star Wars” fan, even I concede that there’s no villain more iconic than Darth Vader.
I forget: Did Little Bill Daggett from “Unforgiven” show up anywhere in your list? He’d certainly be in my top 10.
That’s the reason Vader got number one. He may be a personal favorite, but also is more than likely the most easily recognized bad guy ever.
And I’m sorry but Bill Daggett did not make the list. Unforgiven is on my Top 100 movies I have seen but should.
It’s on AMC quite a bit you should catch it.
COnsider it stalked.
great end to a great list
agree that Bateman not really a villain though. still, you wouldnt wanna cross him in an alley.
Darth Vader is a pussy
For that, the next ultimate Deathmatch is Heather vs. Ross McG.
A great list all around, but you knew that. What I like most is the diversity: a shark, a crazed fan, a terrorist, etc. Not only that, but most of these baddies are more than just a one-trick-pony, with many layers to peel, excpet the shark and queen, naturally.
You said imitation is a form of flattery Heather so I’m hijacking this “50 best” countdown for July…you’ll see what it is soon, sort a surprise…
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I’m waiting with the utmost anticipation!
Extra points for using “utmost” in regular conversation.
I like points. Thank you.
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Kathy Bates was another brilliant villain in Rob Marshall’s TV version of Annie. I tink she got an Emmy for playing Mrs. Hannigan.
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I think Anton Chigurh’s way too under rated at 35/36th position, My top ten will have him, with ‘the Joker’ and ‘the Skeletor’. The skeletor was one villain who haunted my dreams(nightmares rather) when I was a kid.
Skeletor was a pretty creepy character, I’ll give you that. I don’t know about ultimate villain. Chigurh’s position would have the possibility of moving up, along with the Joker if they stand the test of time, but I’m certain each will.
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I just finished looking though all of the top 50, and personally I’d have Hans Landa somewhere in the top 10. What makes him such a fantastic villain (other than some great acting) is that throughout the entire movie, he has fun with what he does. He takes the killing and hunting as sport.