Only a good opponent can bring a hero’s genuine heroism to life! As a result, it doesn’t take much intelligence to realise that villains are an important aspect of any interesting film. Frequently, the filmmakers devote as much time to the villain’s role as they do to the protagonist’s. The package tends to fall flat without the menacing bad villain, and this has resulted in some great villains in the cinema industry throughout the years.
We’ve enjoyed their unpredictability, the hazards they offer, and the thrill of an evil figure doing devastation while the hero struggles to keep up! We’ve gathered some of the most formidable yet underappreciated villains in this video, without whom the films would be incomplete! Enjoy the video and put your moral soul to rest for a while.
Milo, The Last Boy Scout (Taylor Negron,1991)
Joe Hallenbeck, a burned-out investigator, is hired to defend a stripper named Cory, who is a key witness in a case. He fails, however, as she is killed in a drive-by shooting. As a result, Joe teams up with Cory’s lover, Jimmy Dix, a former quarterback for the Los Angeles Stallions. During their research, they come upon a large scheme involving a professional football team and a politician.
If you think of a villain good enough to take on the mighty Bruce Willis, the first thing that comes to mind is probably Alan Rickman from Die Hard. However, Taylor Negron did not disappoint as the prime antagonist in The Last Boy Scout. Seldom do we talk about the secondary antagonist in a movie, but here we must!
He plays the right-hand man to Sheldon Marcone, the notorious crook. He isn’t the usual hard-bodied hero or villain you’re used to seeing, but his ruthlessness more than makes up for it. With his character, an unstoppable murdering machine, he raises the action quotient in this film.
This merciless killer delivers some savage dialogues that reveal the villain’s terrible personality. There are some memorable situations, such as when Joe battles Milo on the lighting platform of the stadium. We can’t get past the insane killer’s horrible end, when he falls from the platform and into the rotor blades of a helicopter, which purees him.
Hans Gruber (“Die Hard”) Alan Rickman
For Christmas, John McClane, an NYPD officer, travels to Los Angeles to see his wife. She works for the Nakatomi Corporation, and during his visit, they are kidnapped by a band of thieves commanded by Hans Gruber.
They’re preparing a lucrative heist, but John decides to handle things himself. As the gangsters gain control of the high-rise, he must fight back. Is he capable of saving the hostages and bringing Hans Gruber to justice?
Die Hard is very close to the action fans, and it wouldn’t have been possible without one of the most ruthless villains you would find in cinematic history – Hans Gruber. Alan Rickman was just the right guy for the role of this baddie, who would pose a serious threat to Bruce Willis.
This conniving villain is a cultured and classy evil man, and even in the worst of his acts, he is graceful. We can’t seem to get enough of his dialogue-delivery and his spirited attitude even when his plan seems to be foiled. The man is a master of tactics and strategy as he plans a $640 million heist from Nakatomi Plaza.
He plans the heist meticulously while distracting the police to make it look like a terrorist attack. He has the misfortune of running into the brave cop John. In an action film, the bad guy is lauded by his fantastic conclusion, and Hans Gruber has a noble defeat that compels respect in this case.
Mad Dog, The Raid (Yayan Ruhian, 2011)
Lieutenant Wahyu prepares to raid a building that serves as a safe house for the local mafia in the film, which is set in Indonesia. The mission, however, goes horribly wrong when the SWAT unit is stuck on the building’s seventh level.
Now they must fight back against the might of drug lord Tama and his gang with their meagre weaponry. Tama promises a hefty reward in exchange for the cops’ heads, and things quickly become nasty! Mad Dog, his right-hand guy, is a psychopathic criminal who will prove to be quite a challenge for the cops.
This is yet another instance of the right-hand man or the accomplice stealing the show from the main villain. Mad Dog is the heart of a majority of adrenaline-pumping scenes in this movie. With his breathtaking agility and brute strength, he is quite a handful, even without any weapon!
There is something exciting about the baddies who are uncontrollable maniacs, and Mad Dog provides the audience with just that for this movie. For much of the film, he is hidden and shown to be waiting in Tama’s room, but once he is dispatched to kill a rookie cop, we see him unleash his violence.
Yayan Ruhian manages to capture the essence of this character and does a fine job of being a dangerous criminal. Do not miss out on his hand-to-hand combat sequences in this movie!
Manhunter – Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Brian Cox)
Will Graham is a former FBI agent who possessed the ability to profile criminals and gain insight into their thinking when investigating a case. He retreated to a tranquil life in Florida with his wife and children after a nightmare encounter with Dr. Hannibal Lecter that resulted in his incarceration.
When a serial killer known as Tooth Fairy eludes the authorities, he is apprehended and brought back. To investigate the case, he must seek guidance from his arch-enemy, Dr. Lecter. Is he able to apprehend the tooth fairy before committing another murder?
Dr. Hannibal Lecter, for many, is none other than the versatile Anthony Hopkins. While the veteran actor did a fabulous job as the notorious cannibal killer, Brian Cox, too, delivered an unforgettable performance in this challenging role. The Red Dragon had a bigger budget, but fans still remember Manhunter for the thrills and brilliance of Brian Cox.
He went into the skin of this intelligent psychiatrist who has some serious issues with himself! After all, how many times do you see a villain killing and eating his victims! He plays several mind-games with Will, which appear to be helpful. However, we get a shocker when he skillfully manages to give Will’s home address to the serial killer!
The character was recast in other films such as The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal, although Brian Cox only appeared in Manhunter. You’ll be enthralled by the conversations he and Will Graham have in the shining white of the former’s cell! If psychological thrillers are your thing, you’ll love this character.
Owen Davian, Mission: Impossible III
Ethan Hunt, a remarkable IMF agent, believes he can put his violent past behind him and begin living quietly with his wife. He is, however, called out of retirement to save one of the spies he trained. Ethan’s wife is kidnapped by a notorious arms dealer named Owen Davian, and he must now do everything he can to save her from the clutches of this ruthless criminal.
Mission Impossible is all about the gallant hero Tom Cruise, but in this outing of the franchise, he did meet his match in the character of Owen Davian played by the late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. He proved it to the world that it doesn’t necessarily require a muscular build to portray a villain.
His demeanour speaks for itself, and he has a heart of stone that shows no regret for his actions. He has a sadistic streak to him, as evidenced by the instances when he gets pleasure from inflicting misery on others.
The character has numerous memorable remarks, particularly in the scene where Ethan arrests him, and even while in custody, he promises to exact his revenge. He is often regarded by the fans as one of the toughest foes that Ethan had to deal with, and after watching his performance, we cannot disagree!
Nola Carveth – (The Brood, Samantha Eggar)
Frank is concerned about the treatment his ex-wife is receiving from Dr. Hal Raglan, an unusual psychotherapist. Nola, his unstable ex-wife, appears to have become a violent maniacal version of herself.
When their daughter returns after a visit to her mother with bruises and injuries, Frank realises something is badly wrong. Other heinous crimes are taking occurring, and it’s possible that something about Nola is linked to all of them.
The Brood happens to be a very special film for David Cronenberg, because he too, went through a similar messy divorce with his then-wife. He puts in his anger and frustration in this well-made violent psychological movie. His efforts have been complemented by the amazing performance of Samantha Eggar, who played the role of Nola.
The crazed woman she plays on screen is no piece of cake, and credit is due for her brilliant effort. There is something uncanny about Nola besides her rage, especially with her giving birth to child-sized creatures that kill those she is upset with.
She has a psychic effect over these monsters, and the final encounter between Nola and her estranged husband will astound you. Because of the scene’s violence and brutality, many countries redacted portions of it before allowing it to be screened.
Cyrus The Virus – (John Malkovich, Con Air, 1997)
Cameron is a decorated US ranger who travels to Alabama to see his wife. He inadvertently murders one of the inebriated regulars at the pub during an altercation and is condemned to prison.
When he is eligible for parole, he boards a plane with a group of feared criminals commanded by Cyrus, with the intention of seizing control of the plane and fleeing the nation. Cameron has the help of US Marshal Vince Larkin in his efforts to thwart their intentions.
In this fun-filled action-packed movie, Cyrus the Virus adds some spark to the plot. He is the leader of the group of criminals who have hatched the unique escape plan. This psychopathic criminal was portrayed by none other than the talented John Malkovich, who did a commendable job in the role.
Cyrus has a dreadful criminal record where he murdered eleven inmates, instigated riots, and even tried to escape twice. During the flight, he teams up with a drug lord to execute his master-plan. He is cunning and cruel and doesn’t hesitate to kill children if required.
However, his downfall is brought about when he threatens to hurt Cameron’s little daughter, and an enraged Cameron finishes him off! The scene stands as one of the most satisfying villain-deaths that you will ever witness! Nevertheless, for the entire length of the movie, this relentless baddie awed the audience with his viciousness and evil mind!
Norman Stansfield (Gary Oldman, Léon: The Professional)
Leon is a professional assassin who forms emotional bonds with Mathilda, a 12-year-old girl, and wants to protect her at any means. Her entire family is slain, and she herself is a gang’s target. Norman Stansfield, the pack’s leader, is on the hunt for the helpless 12-year-old. Is Leon capable of ensuring her safety and assisting her in exacting vengeance on those who destroyed her family?
Norman Stansfield is a nihilistic corrupt official who happens to be a DEA agent and a drug lord at the same time. He has absolutely no compassion and has the cunning brains that have an uncanny ability to detect lies.
Norman has a curious style of work and leaves no evidence behind for his crimes. He doesn’t bat an eyelid while killing off entire families to ensure the smooth running of his business. There are some epic action sequences and exciting shootouts during the confrontations with Leon.
Eventually, Leon is shot by Norman, but Leon manages to trigger an explosion of grenades that detonate him in seconds. A fitting end, you would say to this vile character who almost gets on your nerves in the course of the movie.
Gary Oldman brought together all his acting skills to get this right, and left no string undone while playing the role. You might loathe the character but remember that is precisely the success of a villain!
Frank Booth – (Dennis Hopper, Blue Velvet, 1986)
After his father is unwell, a college student named Jeffrey returns to his hometown to oversee his family’s business. He discovers a severed human ear one day while wandering across the nearby grassy meadows and reports it to the lead police detective.
Curiosity gets the best of him, and he quickly probes into the situation. He has the detective’s daughter as an accomplice, and the two of them soon realise that all roads lead to a violent wicked man named Frank Booth.
The character of Frank Booth adds color and spice to Blue Velvet. He is a psychotic criminal who deals in drugs and prostitution. He gets his rivals murdered brutally and uses the services of a corrupt detective to steal the drugs from them.
He has a toxic, forced relationship with a beautiful singer at a local nightclub and torments her for sexual favors. The scenes of torture are a bit too graphic, and you would have nightmares of how Frank treated the husband of the singer.
This sadistic villain kills people on a whim and even drugs himself during these brutal moments. But his craziness aside, his shrewd mind ran the business successfully. You would almost cheer at his demise when he is shot by Jeffrey in the end! The late actor Dennis Hopper was cast for this role, and fans have loved how he went under the skin of the character despite the challenges!
Jean-Baptiste Emmanuel Zorg – (Gary Oldman, The Fifth Element)
The film is set in a futuristic environment and follows a cab driver who unwittingly becomes a part of a mission to save the world. Every five thousand years, the Fifth Element arrives on Earth to defend humanity, but this time, the evil Mangalores destroy the spaceship carrying them. Scientists construct Leeloo, a flawless being, but she manages to flee, and a cab driver who used to be a commando shields her from the wicked forces lead by Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg.
The Fifth Element is praised for being a wonderful sci-fi action flick, and one of the reasons why fans like it is the sinister villain, Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg. He works for the Ultimate Evil, and the casting couldn’t have been better with Gary Oldman roped in to play the role.
He has already featured in our list for playing Norman Stansfield in Leon and has also stunned the fans with his work as Count Dracula! He does not disappoint and pulls off the role of this evil weapons dealer. He takes pleasure in genocide and does pretty much everything to get his goals accomplished.
He also seems to be obsessed with technology, and his office is quite a sight with all the cool gadgets! The absurd hairstyle and strange accent also go perfectly with the swagger-filled portrayal of Gary Oldman that makes for an appearance that you would remember for times to come.
Bison – Street Fighter – (Raul Julia, Street Fighter The Movie)
Bison, the general who desires to control the world, rules the land of Shadaloo with an iron fist. Colonel William Guile leads his army into the country to find M. Bison and thwart his ambitions. Bison has kidnapped and threatened to kill several individuals. Col. Guile has his work cut out for him because he has to stop this insane dictator before it’s too late.
This movie was somewhat of an adaptation of the Street Fighter beat-em-up game series. There are various opinions that seem to trash the movie, but the performance of the late Raul Julia as the super-powerful villain holds a special place in our hearts.
It’s all the more emotional because he was suffering from stomach cancer throughout the making of this film yet still managed to give it his all for the role. He portrays M. Bison, a crazed military dictator with intentions to rule the entire planet.
As he continues to kidnap relief workers and disrupt normalcy, he poses a serious threat to international peace. Bison flies around in his electromagnetic costume, which also enables him to fire lightning. It’s one of those entertaining villains, a pleasant contrast from some of the more scary villains on our list.
Biff Tannen “Back to the Future” Thomas F. Wilson
Marty McFly is an average 17-year-old high school student whose life is becoming increasingly difficult. His father is humiliated at work by Biff Tannen, his boss, and his mother is a raving alcoholic.
Marty inadvertently travels back in time to 1955, where he meets his parents as teenagers. Unfortunately, he prevents them from meeting, and now he must ensure that they fall in love, or he will cease to exist in the present world.
You might be a little surprised at the last entry on our list! Well, we just wanted to lighten the moods before we sign off! In this light-hearted, fun-filled movie, Biff Tannen is the only speck of bad. Our villain here is a power-hungry abuser who enjoys bullying people. He is in love with Lorraine McFly, Marty’s mother, and has plans of marrying her forcibly.
Thomas F. Wilson gifted us with one of his better performances and picked up the mannerisms to convey the horrible nature of this vile man! His natural charisma, dialogue delivery, and raw energy bodes well for the role. The movie is a laugh-riot, and if you find yourself bothered with all our serious entries, this is to go and have some fun.