Top 10 Movie Villains to Watch in 2024

The year 2024 has unveiled a captivating array of new cinematic villains, from the enigmatic Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part Two to the complex Dementus in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. This year’s films have introduced a diverse spectrum of antagonists—some embody outright malevolence, such as Nicolas Cage’s chilling portrayal of a Satanic serial killer in Longlegs, while others elicit empathy, like the character Anxiety in Inside Out 2 who grapples with the complexities of emotional turmoil.

What makes 2024 particularly noteworthy is the standout performances delivered by actors typically unassociated with villainous roles. As audiences flocked to theaters for impressive films, they were equally mesmerized by the compelling portrayals of these memorable villains.

10 Cooper

Trap

In M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap, the narrative may falter as a thriller, but it shines brilliantly as a dark comedy. Josh Hartnett’s over-the-top portrayal of a deranged killer masquerading as a benign suburban dad is both entertaining and chilling. This film shares a reflective paradox with classics like Joker and Taxi Driver; although Cooper is the villain, the audience finds themselves rooting for his chaotic antics.

9 Madame Morrible

Wicked

In the 2024 film adaptation of Wicked, Madame Morrible, portrayed by Michelle Yeoh, transcends her role from a secondary character in the original Broadway musical to the principal antagonist. Yeoh impeccably balances the film’s campy essence and the character’s malicious nature, adding layers of complexity to her portrayal.

8 Lou Langston, Sr.

Love Lies Bleeding

In the romantic thriller Love Lies Bleeding by Rose Glass, the narrative revolves around the relationship between Kristen Stewart’s Lou and Katy O’Brian’s Jackie. However, the formidable presence of Lou’s estranged father, Lou Langston, Sr., played by Ed Harris, serves as a significant obstacle to their happiness. Harris delivers a chilling performance, crafting a villain whose manipulative and abusive behavior elicits deep disdain.

7 Dale Ferdinand Kobble

Longlegs

The enigmatic promotional campaign for Osgood Perkins’ psychological thriller Longlegs succeeded in generating intrigue around Nicolas Cage’s titular character. Cage’s performance is magnetic yet deeply unsettling. He skillfully blends moments of extreme creepiness with unsettling outbursts, making it nearly impossible for viewers to look away from his performance.

6 Insanity

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Chris Hemsworth makes a strong impact as the charismatic Warlord Dementus in George Miller’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Unlike the typically brooding Mad Max villains, Dementus’s loquacity becomes his charm. His relentless dialogue serves as both a comedic relief and a tactic to escape peril. Despite the character’s malevolence towards Furiosa, Hemsworth’s comedic timing renders him unexpectedly endearing.

5 Mr. Reed

Heretic

Hugh Grant’s career transformation into darker roles reaches new heights in the religious horror film Heretic, directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. His portrayal of Mr. Reed, a sinister figure who questions two Mormon missionaries’ faith while holding them hostage, is chilling and unsettling, effectively shattering his earlier romantic lead image.

4 Macrinus

Gladiator II

Denzel Washington Smiling and shaking someone's hand in Gladiator 2

While Gladiator II may echo the elements of its predecessor, it introduces a magnetic antagonist through Denzel Washington’s portrayal of the ambitious Macrinus. His performance adds both depth and humor, energizing the film as he seizes the power from the emperor, elevating the narrative significantly.

3 Sue

The Substance

In The Substance directed by Coralie Fargeat, the story follows washed-up starlet Elisabeth Sparkle, who takes a beauty-enhancing drug to regain her confidence. However, by creating her younger counterpart, Sue, she unwittingly invites a body-horror narrative, illustrating the idea of youth and beauty being drawn away like a sinister parasite. Sue embodies the darker implications of vanity and societal expectations.

2 Anxiety

Inside Out 2

Inside the vibrant world of Pixar, villains frequently emerge as nuanced and misunderstood beings rather than sheer embodiments of evil. Anxiety in Inside Out 2 exemplifies this depth; rather than being a terrifying monster, it represents a genuine concern born out of a desire to protect. Maya Hawke’s portrayal captures the complexity of Anxiety’s intentions and the critical need for understanding and assistance rather than defeat.

1 Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen

Dune: Part Two

Denis Villeneuve’s long-awaited introduction of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Dune: Part Two is a masterclass in villainy. Austin Butler’s chilling embodiment of Feyd presents him as calculating, slick, and unrepentantly evil. Positioned as the antithesis to Paul Atreides, Feyd’s ruthless ambition is palpable, establishing him as a formidable presence in the film. Butler’s unsettling smile makes him an unforgettable villain of 2024.

Source & Images