Cinema has been home to countless valiant and adored movie heroes, with their real-life portrayers often developing a “good guy” reputation. While audiences know they can always depend on these stars to swoop in and save the day, it’s exciting when these performers decide to zig instead of zag and take on more odious, evil, or horrible characters. Not all actors can effectively make the on-screen transition from hero to antagonist, so when they do, it’s truly a triumph to appreciate.
Moviegoers can witness firsthand the incredible range and brilliance of these dynamic stars, who prove that even the most likable and charismatic performers can embrace their wicked sides. These are some of the best villain roles from actors who almost always play good heroes.
Updated on September 5th, 2023 by Federico Furzan: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
13 Chris Hemsworth as Billy Lee
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
Adored for portraying Marvel’s hammer-wielding, muscular Asgardian god Thor, Chris Hemsworth is famous for playing good guys who battle it out for the well-being of mankind. Outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hemsworth frequently dons the white hat and stars as exciting and memorable heroes, such as the titular warrior in Snow White and the Huntsman, Agent H in Men in Black: International, and as a tough-as-nails black ops mercenary in Extraction.
The actor decided to switch lanes by appearing as the enigmatic and violent cult leader Billy Lee in the 2018 neo-noir thrillerBad Times at the El Royale, who wreaks havoc on a group of mysterious strangers at a rundown hotel in the 1960s. On portraying the villainous Billy Lee, Hemsworth said, “I desperately wanted to do something like this, and not just for the sake of being the villain… I’ve spent a lot of my career playing the hero, which becomes predictable, and so, to be unpredictable and turn left when you should turn right, and continually keep yourself guessing is great.”
12 John Goodman as Howard Stambler
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
Mostly known for playing comedic and dramatic characters, John Goodman is a veteran actor whose deep and unique voice feels like a comfort blanket whenever he shows up in films. Imagine Sulley from Monsters, Inc. having another voice. Exactly.
However, in 10 Cloverfield Lane, the science fiction thriller that takes place in the universe of ghouls from outer space, Goodman plays Howard Stambler, a horrible and despicable man who keeps people locked up in his end-of-the-world bunker. It doesn’t matter if Howard was right, and he was protecting Michelle. He still shoots Michelle’s partner Emmett in the face and tries to prevent her escape, even if the monsters outside are as lethal as Stambler.
11 Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kathryn Merteuil
Cruel Intentions (1999)
Saving the world from terrifying baddies every week while balancing high school and social life is no small feat, but Sarah Michelle Gellar kicked butt and looked good doing it during her reign as Buffy Summers in the smash hit series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She would carry that good guy persona to the silver screen beyond being a horror genre legend, with roles like Mystery Inc. member Daphne Blake in the live-action Scooby-Doo and as superheroine Teela in the Netflix fantasy series Masters of the Universe: Revelation.
Gellar’s performance as the scheming, diabolical Kathryn Merteuil in the 1999 cult classic Cruel Intentionsshowed off the actress’ dark side brilliantly and her ability to embrace her inner villainess. While not an all-out “bad guy,” Kathryn is not one to mess with. The actress won the Teen Choice Award for Best Movie Villain for her memorable portrayal.
10 Harrison Ford as Dr. Norman Spencer
What Lies Beneath (2000)
Who would have thought that America’s favorite hero Harrison Ford could play a terrifying bad guy oh-so-well? The actor captured the hearts of fans across the world with his iconic portrayal of the cynical loner Han Solo in the groundbreaking Star Wars franchise by George Lucas, and as the fedora-wearing, snake-fearing iconic character Indiana Jones in the beloved series.
Though he has dabbled in the dark and mysterious from time to time, he fully took on the role of a villain in the 2000 supernatural thriller What Lies Beneath. In the frightening flick, the actor appears as Dr. Norman Spencer, a respected university research scientist and seemingly devoted husband who harbors a menacing and murderous secret side, later terrorizing his wife.
9 Elijah Wood as Frank Zito
Maniac (2012)
In Maniac, 2012’s remake of the ’80s cult classic, someone very interesting plays Frank Zito, the serial killer with a taste for violence who’s heavily traumatized by childhood abuse and now kills and scalps women. Elijah Wood isn’t the first actor you would think about mentioning serial killers.
After all, he’s a scrawny little dude who saved humankind at some point in his life when he played Frodo. But after showing in Sin City as Kevin, a cannibal killer, he paved the way for more different roles. His performance in Maniac is undoubtedly one of the best and most disturbing of his entire career.
8 Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman
American Psycho (2000)
Undeniably one of the greatest actors to ever don the famed bat-suit, Christian Bale was a force to be reckoned with as masked vigilante Batman protecting Gotham City in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy. Bale is renowned for being a chameleon on the silver screen, with the actor impressively transforming for every role he’s in. The performer shines as a heroic characters, showcasing his noble and valiant side with roles in films of every genre.
However, Bale played the narcissistic serial killer Patrick Bateman in the 2000 horror flick American Psycho, riveting audiences with his unhinged, downright creepy performance as the homicidal maniac. American Psycho helped establish the actor as a leading man and remains one of his most buzzed-about portrayals.
7 Robin Williams as Seymour Parrish
One Hour Photo (2002)
Robin Williams is the actor that always makes people smile. But he must have been tired of playing the goofball in 2002 when he played not only one but two horrible characters. In Christopher Nolan’s version of Insomnia, he played the sketchy suspect chased by the police.
But in Mark Romanek’s very underrated thriller One Hour Photo, he plays Sy the Photo Guy, a convenience store photo technician with an obsession for living the life of one of his customers, who’s seemingly having the perfect life with a perfect family. But Sy realizes the man’s behavior isn’t… perfect. He starts a revenge journey to make him suffer because he wasted a great opportunity to live a life others would kill to have. This is one of Williams’ best roles.
6 Denzel Washington as Alonzo Harris
Training Day (2001)
One of Hollywood’s most respected and revered movie stars, Denzel Washington has been a constant cinematic presence for nearly 40 years. The esteemed performer has played a wide array of colorful and dynamic characters, with many of his finest being admirable heroes.
The actor won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the corrupt detective Alonzo Harris in the 2001 crime thriller Training Day, abandoning his noble champion identity in favor of the shady and nefarious Los Angeles cop. When describing his edgy and crooked character, Washington said, “I think in some ways he’s done his job too well. He’s learned how to manipulate, how to push the line further and further, and, in the process, he’s become more hardcore than some of the guys he’s chasing.”
5 Heath Ledger as The Joker
The Dark Knight (2008)
During his very short career, Heath Ledger didn’t often participate in films that weren’t dramatic. And even when he did, he never played the bad guy. That’s until he landed the villain role for Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight.
In the film, he played the Joker and left everyone feeling sick with his portrayal of such a vicious monster. There was no reference for him to play such a powerful antagonist to Batman, a character already pre-established by the first entry of Nolan’s trilogy. But he did it all the same, by playing a volatile villain who made everyone feel like they couldn’t predict his next act. We can only guess it’s the same way he made everyone feel on set during shooting. As many of you know, Ledger’s role landed him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
4 Tom Cruise as Vincent
Collateral (2004)
Tinseltown’s favorite action megastar Tom Cruise has appeared in his fair share of courageous and honorable roles, having built a revered cinematic reputation for characters like Lieutenant “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun and IMF agent Ethan Hunt in the blockbuster hit movie franchise Mission: Impossible.
For Michael Mann’s 2004 neo-noir thriller Collateral, Cruise decided to bid adieu to be a hero and instead opted to play the chilling hitman Vincent, who takes an unsuspecting taxi driver hostage on a contract killing spree in Los Angeles. The actor is superb as the silent and menacing Vincent, putting viewers on edge with his calm yet nerve-wracking portrayal, receiving widespread praise and acclaim for his commanding and tense take as the antagonist.
3 Patrick Stewart as Darcy Banker
Green Room (2015)
Mostly known for his role as Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men series, Patrick Stewart feels like the kindest human to ever walk the Earth. We have no doubt he is.
Nevertheless, in Jeremy Saulnier’s insanely underrated thriller Green Room, Stewart had the opportunity to play someone very different. In the film about the punk band unknowingly falling prey to neonazis, Stewart plays Darcy Banker, the veteran leader of the skinheads who will stop at nothing before getting rid of the witnesses. We couldn’t call him evil, but a calculating leader with an unbreakable agenda.
2 Leonardo DiCaprio as Calvin Candie
Django Unchained (2012)
Hollywood heavy hitter and acclaimed Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio is one of cinema’s most diverse and compelling performers. He achieved international stardom with Romeo + Juliet and Titanic, as well as for heroic performances as mercenary Danny Archer in Blood Diamond, Irish immigrant Amsterdam Vallon in Gangs of New York, and fur trapper Hugh Glass in The Revenant.
For Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 revisionist Western Django Unchained, DiCaprio took on the villainous part of the barbaric, cold-blooded plantation owner Calvin Candie who enslaves the titular hero’s beloved wife. DiCaprio was initially concerned over tackling the racist antagonist, having expressed, “This was my first attempt at playing a character I had this much disdain for. It was an incredibly uncomfortable environment to be in… I’ve seen racism growing up but the degree I had to treat other people in this film was disturbing.”
1 Chris Evans as Ransom Drysdale
Knives Out (2019)
Praised for his outstanding portrayal of World War II-era super soldier and Avengers leader Captain America, Chris Evans had been heroically saving the world as the famed superhero for over a decade. The actor had previously appeared as another notorious Marvel character, the Human Torch, in 2005’s Fantastic Four and its follow-up sequel. Outside the superhero world, Evans has been the good guy in the action films The Losers, Snowpiercer, and Push.
For the star-studded ensemble 2019 mystery Knives Out, Evans got a little less valiant and a lot more diabolical, appearing as the spoiled, cable-knit-wearing playboy Ransom Drysdale who vies for the inheritance of his wealthy mystery novelist grandfather. While none of the Drysdale clan are particularly likable, Ransom is downright deplorable, scheming and committing all kinds of nefarious deeds to obtain the estate.
