Star Wars: Starfighter is set to include the most terrifying villain the franchise has had in 26 years. Star Wars’ best villains can all be scary in their own way, but the sci-fi/fantasy vibe of the franchise means none are outright terrifying. However, one of Star Wars’ many Sith Lords can be argued as the creepiest: Darth Maul.
Maul first appeared in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace 26 years ago, the fourth Star Wars movie in release order, and was scarier than the likes of the original trilogy’s Darth Vader. This was due to his calm, collected, threatening aura and expert design. Now, though, an upcoming Star Wars movie can outdo this.
While the design aspect may be lacking, Star Wars: Starfighter can provide a scarier villain than we’ve seen in a long time for a unique reason.
Everything We Know About Mia Goth’s Mystery Star Wars Character
The Villain Will Offer Something New
As initially reported by THR and Jeff Sneider in June 2025, Mia Goth was cast in Star Wars: Starfighter. Although details about the film’s plot and characters remain under wraps, THR stated that it will center around Gosling’s lead character protecting his nephew from pursuers. Why this child is being pursued is unclear, but it could be linked to Force-sensitivity.
Regardless, these pursuers will chase Gosling and his nephew across the galaxy. Goth was cast as one of these pursuers, with her status likely meaning she will be the lead villain of Star Wars: Starfighter. Beyond these vague details, what exactly Goth’s character wants, looks like, or is even called remains unknown.
Mia Goth Will Be A Star Wars Villain Unlike Any Other
Goth Can Bring Much To The Role
As for why Goth’s villain in Star Wars: Starfighter can be the most terrifying since Darth Maul, one needs only look at her acting resume. Goth is regarded as one of the best modern “scream queens,” having performed in several big horror movies in recent years. From 2018’s Suspiria to her lead roles in the X trilogy, Goth is a modern horror icon.
Goth’s performances in these roles can be best described with one word: unsettling. Goth has a great sense of emotional rawness in her horror-driven performance, using an eerie presence to dominate scenes as opposed to being outright threatening like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, for example. Translating this to Star Wars will provide a villain unlike the franchise has ever seen.
Mikey Maddison, an actor who has appeared in unsettling roles in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Scream VI, turned down this role before Goth was cast, only further supporting the horror aspects of it.
Star Wars’ villains are often scary in the same way as the aforementioned horror icons from Halloween or Friday the 13th in that they have a domineering presence. Having a Star Wars villain that is unsettling and understatedly threatening in the way Goth can provide would give Star Wars: Starfighter the franchise’s scariest villain in decades.
