Top 10 Villains in Cinema

Being a villain can win you awards, money, and in some rare cases a trip to a mental institution. Oddly villains today have been respected as much or even more than heroes. So I decided to make a list of the top 10 villains in cinema. Note: I didn't count anti heroes such as Tyler Durden or Travis Bickle




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10. Patrick Bateman played by Christian Bale in American Psycho

The character that showed that anybody can be a serial killer all you need is a psychotic mind, sharp objects, and an Armani suit. Christian Bale before Bruce Wayne or John Connor played Patrick Bateman, a New York business man by day but a ruthless serial killer by night. The great thing about the character is that they never say why he does so many evil things such as kill people with chainsaws and eat there brains, Bateman has the perfect life, why would he kill people. Simply because...he can. Now excuse me I have to return some video tapes (a little inside joke to people who have seen the films).


9.Phyllis Dietrichson played by Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity

Before Fatal Attraction, before Basic Instinct...there was Phyllis Dietcherson. That's all that can be said without ruining the movie Double Indemnity for you.
Defining moment: Last 15 mins of Double Indemnity

8. Hans Gruber played by Alan Rickman in Die Hard

Smooth, calm, and cool Alan Rickman portrayed terrorist Hans Gruber in one of the biggest Oscar snubs of all time. Hans Gruber has a specific set of plans and doesn't let anybody get in his way. He coldly and unflinchingly kills others to get what he wants. Terrorism hasn't been portrayed so great in film since Hans Gruber. No he wasn't a religious nut job, no he wasn't a Middle eastern bomber, he was a man looking no different than an American who wanted his money and his own way
Defining moment: The execution of Mr. Takagi

7. Li'l Ze played by Leandro Firmino (adult) and Douglas Silva (kid) in City of God

This chilling portrayal of a slumdog psychopath has proven no matter what
the language, craziness is universal. Li'l Ze is a sociopath drug dealer taking over
his slums rackets one by one and taking out anybody that stands in his way.
When we see him get rejected by a girl for a dance, we feel sorry for a cold
blooded killer with no remorse for humans, but then he turns around and goes right back to killing.
Defining Moment: The montage of kid Li'l Ze shooting at enemies, friends, or
somebody

6.Hannibal Lecter played by Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs

16 minutes....16 minutes was all that Anthony Hopkins needed to play one of the greatest villains of all time. That all I need to say. See Silence of the Lambs and tell me that I am wrong.
Defining moment: Escaping from prison

5. Alonzo Harris played by Denzel Washington in Training Day

Most people have seen corrupt cops in movie history in films such as: LA Confidential and The Big Heat...but no actor has come close to Denzel Washington's Oscar winning performance of Alonzo Harris. This police officer seems like a street hood with a badge, yet throughout the film he proves to show meticulous and careful planning that could rival something that a great intellectual could have thought of. His badass attitude and narcisstic ideology makes him a force to be reckoned with.
Defining moment: His "KING KONG!" speech at the end of the film

4. Norman Bates played by Anthony Perkins in Psycho

Another character that I don't want to spoil for those who haven't seen the movie. Just know this: prepared to get knocked out of your seat after you see Psycho
Defining moment: The whole movie (don't want to spoil it)

3.Smeagol/Gollum played by Andy Serkis in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers/The Return of the King

The greatest CG character ever. Even though he was computer animated Andy Serkis was able to show Smeagol/Gollum's duality; his anger and his kindness. The mysterious past of a former hobbit shows how power or at least too much power can corrupt somebody into madness. Gollum or Smeagol which ever name you prefer to call him there is no denying the fact that this villain is one of the best and revolutionary in cinematic history.
Defining moment: The talk between Smeagol and Gollum in "The Two Towers"

2. The Joker played by Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight

One of the actor's who helped to make superhero films credible, Heath Ledger gave this remarkable and extraordinary performance of arch-villain "The Joker". An anarchistic, narcissistic, and sinisterly funny; Heath Ledger and the Joker has delivered and made some of the most used one liners in recent history. In my opinion Heath Ledger created and played the role in the last decade
Defining Moment: When he interrupted the gangster meeting, where he showed them his pencil magic trick

1.Darth Vader played by James Earl Jones (voice) and David Prowse (body) in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

The trademark breathing, the red lightsaber, the jet black suit. Darth Vader has been a cultural icon. His story is a typical story of how good can go bad. Darth Vader's first appearance in Star Wars IV: A New Hope has proven to be one of the best moments in film history. Showing no emotion and no empathy Darth Vader set out to rule he galaxy.
Defining Moment: Both duels with Luke Skywalker