The cinema of the 2010s featured some memorable villains. From cruel and ambiguous antagonists who challenged traditional conventions of right and wrong, the films of the last decade have brought some interesting figures into pop culture.
Below we list the top 10 villains who dominated movie screens during this period, analyzing their evil characteristics and motivations.
Movie villains
Pennywise is a shape-shifting supernatural creature who takes the form of a sinister clown to lure and terrorize children. She is the villain of the horror book “It”, written by Stephen King, adapted in the 2010s, played by actor Bill Skarsgård.
The film adaptation of “It” spawned two films, and in both, Skarsgård delivers a haunting performance as this iconic and terrifying villain for a new generation.
The mighty titan has a fanatical belief: the mission to balance the universe, which he seeks to accomplish through the use of the Infinity Gauntlet. His main motivation is to halve the population of the universe, believing that this will save the universe from overpopulation and resource scarcity.
Thanos firmly believes that his actions are right, even if they involve committing terrible deeds. This complexity adds multifaceted, beyond good/evil layers to the antagonist of “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018) and “Avengers: Endgame” (2019).
Additionally, Josh Brolin delivers a commanding and even charismatic performance as the MCU villain.
The villain of “Black Panther” (2018), played by the talented Michael B. Jordan, is one of the most complex antagonists in hero films.
Killmonger is driven by a sense of injustice towards black communities around the world and believes that Wakanda has a responsibility to make a difference.
While his actions are violent and extreme, his motivations are understandable and grounded in a vision of justice.
Silva, from the film “007 – Operation Skyfall” (2012), is considered one of the most memorable antagonists of the James Bond saga. Spanish actor Javier Bardem, known for playing iconic villains such as Anton Chigurh in “No Country for Old Men” (2007), has received praise for his performance.
Silva is a former MI6 agent who was betrayed and abandoned by his superiors, becoming a cyber terrorist. His main motivation is to seek revenge against M (Judi Dench) and the British Secret Service for betraying and discarding him.
Cunning and manipulative, the villain displays eccentric behavior, including a distinctive appearance with platinum hair and a menacing attitude.
The antagonist of the film “Django Unchained” (2012), directed by Quentin Tarantino, is widely known for his brutality and racism. The character played by Leonardo DiCaprio embodies many of the dark and terrible aspects of the institution of slavery.
Calvin Candie’s characterization throughout the film goes from a charismatic facade at the beginning of the plot to terrifying moments, in which he reveals all his cruelty and repugnance.
The character is one of the most interesting villains in the Star Wars franchise. Actor Adam Driver gave the character a highly emotional performance. He constantly struggles with his family’s legacy, his connection to the Force and the dark side.
His vulnerability, insecurities and internal conflicts make him a character viewers can identify with, despite his morally questionable choices.
The character’s moral conflicts and journey of redemption are one of the highlights of the film. Third Star Wars trilogy.
The strawberry-scented pink teddy bear is the authoritative leader of the toys at the Sunnyside daycare center, where the plot of “Toy Story 3” takes place.
Initially, when Woody and his friends arrive at the kindergarten, he presents himself as a warm and friendly leader, but over the course of the film his true evil nature is revealed. Lotso is actually a tyrannical and manipulative leader who keeps the toys in an oppressive environment.
His motivation is deeply rooted in his personal history of abandonment and heartbreak, which has made him cynical and bitter towards humans and other toys. He is responsible for keeping toys in captivity, denying them the opportunity to be loved and played with by children.
The protagonist of M. Night Shyamalan’s film, “Split” (2016), is also the big bad. Kevin Wendell Crumb, played by James McAvoy, suffers from dissociative identity disorder (DID), a psychological condition in which a person develops multiple distinct personalities.
Kevin isn’t exactly a traditional villain in the conventional sense of the word. However, some of their personalities, such as Dennis and Patricia, and, in particular, the so-called “Beast”, pose a fundamental threat to the characters in the film.
“The Beast” is one of the personalities with supernatural abilities and a thirst for violence. When this personality emerges, we find ourselves faced with one of the scariest villains of recent times.
In 2019, Kevin returns in the sequel “Vidro” alongside another iconic villain, Mr Vidro.
The bonobo Koba is the main antagonist of the film “Planet of the Apes: Showdown”. He was subjected to laboratory experiments conducted by humans, which left deep physical and emotional scars.
Koba harbors an intense hatred for humans and does not believe in the possibility of peaceful coexistence between the two species. Motivated by revenge and a lust for power, he leads a radical faction within the ape community whose goal is the elimination of humans. He also manipulates the situation to cause conflict.
Initially, Koba is the first lieutenant of Caesar, the noble leader of the genetically modified apes. However, he betrays Caesar and attempts to assassinate him to take control of the ape group.
The bizarre and terrifying Immortan Joe has left an indelible mark on the minds of those who have seen “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015). Played by Hugh Keays-Byrne, Joe is the dictator of a fortress located in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
The villain has absolute control over vital resources, such as water and gasoline, transforming them into instruments of domination over his population. He exercises oppressive authority over his subjects and cultivates an aura of cult around him. Also, Joe has an intimidating appearance.
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Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
