Why is it that we love the bad boy, the femme fatale, the villain? Do you know how many movies I watch where I actively root for the villain instead of the hero? Maybe it's human nature. Maybe I'm sick and twisted. Maybe the pull of bad boys and girls is just too much to resist. I don't know, but I'm testing the hypothesis. Can you make it to the end of this post without getting a little tingly for at least one of these villains?
1. The Joker from the Dark Knight
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Number one, all day, every day. I do not yet know if I shall root for Jared Leto's Joker in the Suicide Squad with as much love and glee as I rooted for the late, great Heath Ledger's, but I'm eager to see. These are some pretty big shoes to fill, though. I wanted him to take down Batman so bad.
2. Hannibal Lecter from Silence of the Lambs
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Hannibal is my husband. I am seriously, honestly in love with Hannibal Lecter. It has to be the Anthony Hopkins version, though. I … I don't know, the guy from the show creeps me out.
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3. Buffalo Bill from Silence of the Lambs
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Not everyone rooted for Jame Gumb, granted, but I mean, he was kind of fierce.
4. Joan Crawford from Mommie Dearest
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I know, this is bad. But Faye Dunaway's interpretation of Joan Crawford made her my favorite villain. NO WIRE HANGERS.
5. Darth Maul from Star Wars
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Well, duh.
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Well, duh. Darth Maul brought us chills and thrills in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace with his menacing presence, double-bladed lightsaber, and impressive combat skills. While he might have been an agent of pure evil, there was an undeniable allure to his character design and mysterious aura. His acrobatic moves and striking red-and-black facial tattoos made him a standout, even causing some fans to root for him over the Jedi. An unforgettable adversary, Darth Maul’s impact on the Star Wars universe goes beyond his short screen time, leaving a lasting legacy in the hearts of many.
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6. Jack Torrance from the Shining
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Jack was a sympathetic villain. Kind of. Except for the murderous rampages and all.
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Jack was a sympathetic villain. Kind of. Except for the murderous rampages and all. What made Jack so compelling was his descent into madness—a tortured writer struggling with his own inner demons, pushed over the edge by the malevolent forces of the Overlook Hotel. His initial attempts to turn his life around and his love for his family made us root for him, even as his actions horrified us. Jack Nicholson's performance was nothing short of captivating, making it hard to completely hate Jack Torrance even as he wielded an axe with terrifying intent.
7. Mugatu from Zoolander
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Has a villain ever been so fierce and fabulous? I don't think so.
8. Maleficent from Maleficent
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Sorry, but up against Angelina's Maleficent, no one else matters. No one. She is the queen.
9. Dr. Evil from Austin Powers
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Dr. Evil is the only reason I watched the last Austin Powers movie. He's also the only reason I dream of a fourth one.
10. Snape from Harry Potter
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Snape wasn't really a villain – not really. He was, I mean, of course, but jeezum crow, what a villain. Always.
11. Magneto from the X-Men Series
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Magneto is everything. I love Xavier as much as anyone, but my heart will always belong to Magneto. Especially Ian's Magneto. Rawr!
12. Bellatrix LeStrange from Harry Potter
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Bellatrix was crazy. A crazy, sociopathic goddess of a witch. Maybe we weren't rooting for her, exactly, but you have to admit that her nastiness was kind of hot sometimes.
13. Poison Ivy from Batman & Robin
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Poison Ivy was the only thing that made this movie watchable. Damn, she is just venomous. That girl is … poison.
14. The Riddler from Batman Forever
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Batman Forever was kind of a bust, too, but the Riddler helped save it. Along with Tommy Lee Jones, of course.
15. Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter
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Okay, okay, okay, nobody roots for Voldemort, but weren't there occasions when you kind of wanted him to take out Harry? Just during Harry's whiny period, that's all.
16. Bartleby from Dogma
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Bartleby, trying to make a fool out of God and end the entire world, just so he can get back into heaven. I did not want Bartleby to succeed in his endeavors, but I'll admit that I admired his brilliance. What a loophole, right?
17. Jareth, the Goblin King from the Labyrinth
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Jareth IS king. Always. Jareth is everything.
Who's your favorite villain? Do you like her/him more than the hero?
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