Movie villains

My friends and I recently had a discussion about the finer points of villainy. Why the charming and yet sometimes mundane role of antagonist sometimes makes people want to cheer for the bad guy. So we collectively have set out to produce a set of lists for the best villains and worst villains in film. Each entry has been given a lot of consideration based on several factors including originality, type of villain, and the embodiment of their work. While always a work in progress, this entry should be seen as a starting point to illustrate the quality of conflict that some characters will give our protagonist. All villains are not the same, and some stand a cut above the others while practicing their craft. The list is not in any particular order, as much fighting ensues over a rank numbering of these evil-doers. Consider it a collage of villainy.

The Joker – (DC Comics) A role made famous by the DC comics series, made infamous by Jack Nicholson’s portrayal in 1989’s “Batman,” and legendary following the circumstances of Heath Ledger’s portrayal and subsequent death by overdose in 2008’s “The Dark Knight.” A twisted view of a children’s favorite entertainment character from a circus, the Joker has been referred to as the Clown Prince of Crime, the Harlequin of Hate, and the Ace of Knaves. An arch-villain and tormentor of Batman, he executes his diabolical antics throughout Gotham City with no regard for friend or foe in every attempt to prematurely end the caped crusader’s life. Service… with a smile.

Dr. Hannibal Lecter - Thomas Harris' epicurean madman has been played by three actors: Brian Cox in the 1986’s “Manhunter” (based on the novel Red Dragon), Gaspard Ulliel as the teen Lecter in 2007's “Hannibal Rising” and Anthony Hopkins in 1991’s “The Silence of the Lambs,” 2001’s “Hannibal” and the 2002 remake of “Red Dragon.” Voted the best all-time movie villain in an American Film Institute poll, this psychopathic madman demonstrates that you are what you eat. A well developed character who can cause fear with his words as well as his deeds.

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine – (Star Wars series) Portrayed by Ian McDiarmid, Palpatine, also known by his Sith name Darth Sidious, is the central villain of the Star Wars saga. He appears in every film except the first. His ability to use the dark side of the force and manipulate others around him for his own evil ends makes this villain a huge threat all around. He almost single-handedly destroyed an entire galactic senate, pushed the Jedi to the brink of extinction, and created an empire of cloned storm troopers with limited abilities to hit anything with a laser blaster. Most notably, he lured Anakin Skywalker to the dark side by tempting him with teaching him the power to overcome death (Anakin was trying to save his pregnant wife Padme’s life as he dreamed of her dying in childbirth). Come to the darkside… we have cookies.

Maleficent – (Disney) Voiced by Eleanor Audley in 1959’s “Sleeping Beauty,” Maleficent is an evil fairy that wants to take over King Stephan's kingdom (and then, the world). When Princess Aurora grows up, she tricks her into pricking her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel, and Aurora falls asleep. Then, she magically puts a series of thorny vines in order to prevent anyone from waking her up. However, Prince Phillip cuts through the vines and sets out to wake the princess with a kiss. Enraged, Maleficent summons all her satanic powers to morph into a huge dragon, but Phillip kills her with the help of the three good fairies.

Frederick Charles Krueger – (Nightmare on Elm street series) Portrayed by Robert Englund, the product of the violent rape of the nun Amanda Krueger by one hundred maniacs. Called Freddy, he was constantly ridiculed for his well known and strange heritage. It was then he started murdering small animals and as he grew into adulthood, he turned his masochistic behavior on himself. After suffering abuse from his stepfather for many years, he brutally murdered him with a razor. Thought to be killed by the residents of Springwood, OH in a fire, Freddy was destined to reside in Hell in the service of dream demons. Thus he takes his revenge on the children of Springwood by infiltrating their dreams and terrorizing everyone. Don’t fall asleep.

The Wicked Witch of the West – (The Wizard of Oz 1939) Portrayed by Margaret Hamilton, she is the terrifying nemesis of Dorothy and all the residents of Oz. Enraged by the death of her sister (The Wicked Witch of the East) she vows to take vengeance upon Dorothy because Dorothy dropped a house on her sister’s head in Munchkin land. As Dorothy and a rag-tag bunch of residents of Oz try to beseech the Wizard of the Emerald City to help Dorothy return home, the Wicked Witch of the West causes trouble at every turn. She’ll get you, and your little dog too.

Max Cady – (Cape Fear) Portrayed by Robert Mitchum (1962) and Robert DiNiro (1991) Max is a tattooed, cigar-smoking, bible-quoting, psychotic rapist. After spending 14 years in prison, Max learns that his public defender, Sam Bowden (portrayed by Gregory Peck 1962, and Nick Nolte 1991) withheld critical evidence that could have helped get him acquitted. Upon release, Max seeks out the Bowden family to exact revenge. Lock up your daughters.

John ‘Jack’ Torrance – (The Shining 1980) Portrayed by Jack Nicholson, Torrance is a writer and former teacher who is trying to rebuild his and his family's life after his drinking problem and volatile temper lost him his teaching position at a small preparatory school. Having given up alcohol, he accepts a position maintaining a large and isolated hotel (the Overlook) in Colorado for the winter, in the hope this will salvage his family, re-establish his career, and give him the time and privacy to finish a promising play. He moves to the hotel with his wife, Wendy, and young son, Danny, who is telepathic and sensitive to supernatural forces. Slowly taken over by supernatural forces with the hotel, he spirals downwards and eventually attempts to kill his wife, his son and the hotel's former cook before dying. Here’s Johnny…