Top 10 Most Overlooked Villains of the Century (So Far)
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most intimidating yet overlooked antagonists of the 21st century. Some spoilers will be mentioned, so this is your official warning! Which 21st century villain do you think doesn’t get enough appreciation? Let us know in the comments below.
#10: Norman Spencer
“What Lies Beneath” (2000)
Imagine finding out that your partner is secretly a killer. In “What Lies Beneath”, Harrison Ford portrays a seemingly normal husband with an awful secret. When a past murder is revealed, it becomes clear that he’s masking a monster just beneath the surface - and willing to do anything to cover up his crimes. The villainous role was a departure for Ford, but the film didn’t land well with critics or audiences, causing it to fade amongst his other iconic projects. Despite that, Ford makes sure that Norman is a disturbing and memorable antagonist
#9: Victoria Vinciguerra
“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” (2015)
The effortlessly cool and cunning Victoria Vinciguerra is an evil mastermind with impeccable style. During the Cold War, this Italian businesswoman and her husband Alexander scheme to build a nuclear weapon to destabilize the global balance of power. Somehow, Victoria manages to be calculating and charming at the same time. The chemistry between her and Solo is undeniable, even as she’s springing a trap on him. She makes for an iconic femme fatale, stealing every scene she’s in with her sheer presence alone.
#8: Walter Finch
“Insomnia” (2002)
Robin Williams is better known for his comedic roles, but he made for a chilling villain in his psychological thriller. While horror writer Walter Finch positions himself as an author mentoring a young woman, his true nature is much darker, and culminates in him taking her life. While that’s horrific enough, the way he rationalizes it makes it even worse. He even attempts to blackmail the lead detective into arresting someone else for the crime. What makes him so scary was the way he describes and justifies his violent deed. It’s hard to believe that one man can be so cunning and cruel.
#7: Lamia
“Stardust” (2007)
Oh, to be young again! We hear this all the time, in some form or another, and it’s the main motivation for the witch Lamia in the Neil Gaiman adaptation “Stardust”. In her quest to restore her youth and beauty, she’s absolutely ruthless, and armed with an arsenal of impressive powers. From transforming humans into animals and even reanimating corpses, she stops at nothing to get what she wants. There are a lot of wicked witches in fantasy, but this one is played with aplomb by Michelle Pfeiffer, giving the character a new lease on life!
#6: The Collector
Top 10 Movie Villains of the 21st Century
“The Collector” (2009)
This sinister killer doesn’t even need a name to make a lasting impact. The collector has a penchant for familicide, slaying all but one member, who then becomes a fixture in his twisted ‘collection’. His motivation is rooted in his own traumatic childhood. The torture he inflicts is grisly and ends in one of two ways: insanity or death. He goes to extreme lengths, even allowing roaches to feast on one of his victims. His frightening mask and appalling methods helped set him apart from his contemporaries in the genre. His last appearance may have been over a decade ago, but fans are still holding out hope that he’ll return.
#5: Owen Davian
“Mission: Impossible III” (2006)
Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Owen Davian is one of the most memorable and intimidating villains of the Mission Impossible franchise - and of the spy action genre, period. Yep, it’s a big claim, but we’ll stand by it. Calculating, ruthless, and manipulative, the arms dealer remains calm and collected under interrogation, and upon his escape, captures IMF agent Ethan Hunt’s fiancée Julia. Using her, he blackmails Hunt into obtaining a dangerous weapon so that he can sell it to the highest bidder. Davian scary enough when he’s composed; when he finally does snap, it’s terrifying. This is a villain from whom no one is safe.
#4: Lola Stone
“The Loved Ones” (2009)
Rejection can be a hard pill to swallow. But thankfully, few respond like scorned high school student Lola Stone. After Brent declines Lola’s invitation to Prom, preferring - naturally enough - to go with his own girlfriend, Lola resorts to extreme violence as the answer. And it soon turns out that Brent is far from her first abductee. Lola, and her father for that matter, are true sadists, going to insane lengths to get revenge. They like to lobotomize their victims and keep them alive, which is just a whole new layer of horror. The fact that she otherwise comes across as just a regular teenage girl makes her even scarier.
#3: Count Olaf
Supervillain Origins: Count Nefaria
A Series of Unfortunate Events Franchise (1999-)
A serial killer and criminal mastermind, Count Olaf is both a supremely sinister and entertaining villain. That remains true whether we’re talking about the beloved book series “A Series of Unfortunate Events” or the screen adaptations. Introduced as a distant relative of the orphaned Baudelaire children, he’s really just after the family fortune. While he’s undoubtedly threatening, he’s also hilarious at the same time. His dramatic, over-the-top attitude makes him an antagonist who’s despicable, yet undeniably charming. The portrayals of Jim Carrey and Neil Patrick Harris only doubled down on this.
#2: Sam
Top 24 Best Disney Villains of Each Year (2000-2023)
“Trick ‘r Treat” (2007)
Evil horror movie kids never fail to creep us out! Of course, Sam isn’t actually a child, but a demon in orange footie pajamas and a burlap sack. That get-up sure makes him uncanny though, evoking a deep dread in viewers. Personifying the spirit of Halloween, he punishes those who break its traditions. And boy, does he punish them. His unique look and vicious actions make him one of the best monsters of the 21st century– and many are still hoping that he’ll come back someday to haunt their screens once more.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
The Creeper, “Jeepers Creepers” (2001)
Top 22 Best Movie Villains of Each Year (2000 - 2021)
A Horrifying Humanoid with a Taste for Organs
Ma-Ma, “Dredd” (2012)
Top 20 Best Movie Villains of the Century So Far
An Unrelenting Gang Leader with a Penchant for Torture
Howard, “10 Cloverfield Lane” (2016)
His Deception & Menacing Attitude Were Somehow Even Scarier Than the Alien Invasion
Steve, “The Italian Job” (2003)
This Double-Crossing Thief Only Looks Out for Himself
Alma Coin, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay– Part 2” (2015)
Top 10 Hunger Games Franchise Facts
She Sees Everyone as Disposable Pawns in Her Own Political Game
#1: Captain Vidal
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“Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006)
The most terrifying villains are those who feel they’re completely in the right. Captain Vidal exemplifies this as a military officer during a harrowing period in Spanish history - the brutal rule of dictator Francisco Franco. Vidal’s ruthlessness knows no limits as he hunts down republican rebels. His self-righteous, authoritarian mindset is even applied to his own family. There have been many people like Vidal in history, and there’ll be plenty more, and perhaps that’s what makes him so frightening. He’s proof you don’t have to be a monster to act like one.
