We are typically expected to cheer for the heroes. However, sometimes, the bad guys take center stage. These "bad guys" frequently turn out to be more nuanced and likable than the protagonists themselves because of their tragic pasts, keen intellect, or unquestionable charisma. While some villains disrupt the current quo and cause us to wonder who the real villain is, others are shaped by tragedy or social injustice. And let's be honest, sometimes they just have better lines and more clever tactics. The distinction between hero and villain is blurred in these five memorable instances where we couldn't help but cheer for the bad guys.
Disclaimer: This piece reflects the writer's personal opinions and interpretations. Reader discretion is advised. If you have any opinions about which villains should be on this list, please share them with us.
5 times we rooted for the bad guys
5) Thanos
The Mad Titan is not like other bad guys who are driven by a desire for power and devastation. Despite its horrific implementation, his objective is motivated by a strong sense of conviction. He believes that life itself will eventually perish due to overpopulation and that the universe's resources are limited. The fact that he intended to exterminate half of all living things? He is thought of as a "necessary evil" to guarantee the other's survival. Thanos's unshakeable conviction that his deeds were for the greater good made him so compelling. Because of his cool head, logical thinking, and overwhelming strength, he's on the list of the most iconic bad guys in cinema history.
4) The Joker
Many iconic actors have played the Joker over the years, but Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker is unmatched. In Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, the Joker is a force of disorder with no reason or self-interest. He terrified everyone because no one could ever predict what he would do next. Use a pencil as a weapon on Michael Jay White's character or watch the world burn? Along with his unpredictable nature, his perverse sense of humor accompanied him everywhere. His mind games with Batman were what kept us engrossed throughout. He tested Christian Bale's Batman to the limit. Ledger's performance earned him an Oscar which was awarded posthumously.
3) Anton Chigurh
He is not your average hitman motivated by retaliation or ambition. Rather, he stands for unavoidable fate- an unstoppable force that lacks compassion or regret. Chigurh uses a simple coin toss to decide life or death, acting according to his distorted sense of justice with his dispassionate look and deadpan voice. Using a bolt gun as a weapon, he eliminates his target or the people standing in his way. His ice-cold personality and unpredictable nature made him into one of the most iconic bad guys in cinema.
2) Darth Vader
In the franchise, the bad guy, Darth Vader was synonymous with the words authority and dread. His loud commanding voice, mechanical breathing, and imposing black armor made him an instantly identifiable figure of terror. Vader was first presented as a brutal Imperial enforcer, but his history showed a more tragic tale of a Jedi named Anakin Skywalker. Darth Vader has established himself as an iconic bad guy loved by generations of people who watched Star Wars.
1) Dr. Hannibal Lectar
Dr. Hannibal Lectar is considered to be the most terrifying character who stole the show. With only 16 minutes of screen time, he was etched into all our memories. A brilliant psychiatrist who enjoys eating human flesh coupled with his calm and intelligence makes him more terrifying than any other villain. Must I say even more? Anthony Hopkin's performance as Dr Hannibal Lectar was so good that even Jodie Foster was terrified of him during the shooting.
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From Darth Vader to Anton Chigurh, these bad guys have made an impact on movie history. Their complexities, unpredictable nature, and capacity to make heroes and us the audience included, see the harsh truth about reality, chaos and human nature is what makes them remarkable.
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