One of the most significant features of horror movies is the role of the villains. Just as the hero must convey absolute fear and despair in a way that can profoundly resonate with the public, a villain is tasked with instilling terror. A genuinely outstanding antagonist does not merely scare when they are on the screen, but leaves a lasting impression that will haunt the viewers’ nightmares for a long time. To achieve that effect, the performance of the actor is of the utmost importance.

Among the many great villains in horror history, some performances have been so commanding that they have not simply earned widespread recognition but also overshadowed those of the protagonists. Whether through sheer menace or alarming unpredictability, such portrayals became the essence of the film’s horror factor, turning these characters into legends. The heroes might have been the ones the public was supposed to root for, but the villains ended up stealing the spotlight.

10

James McAvoy As Paddy

Speak No Evil (2024)

Speak No Evil is a shockingly disturbing film where the escalating absurdity of the situation portrayed leaves the public, much like the story’s protagonists, simultaneously on edge and startled. However, despite the creeping sense of dread of Louise and Ben’s ambiguous feelings are well captured, who truly shines in the movie is James McAvoy.

The actor plays Paddy, a seemingly well-mannered and confident man who convinces the oblivious couple to spend a week with him and his wife in their isolated house in the English countryside. However, his intentions are far from pure. McAvoy’s gradual transformation from a charismatic, friendly figure to a disturbed, unsettling presence, eventually revealing the killer he truly is, is nothing short of phenomenal. Despite the sympathy the viewers may feel for the main characters, it is Paddy who keeps them captivated, always leaving them wondering which side of him will emerge next.

9

Kathy Bates As Annie Wilkes

Misery (1990)

As one of the greatest villains among Stephen King’s horror creations, the director of Misery had no choice but to cast an actor who could embody the terror and depth of Annie Wilkes’ character. And Kathy Bates did it so brilliantly that she became one of the few actors to obtain an Academy Award for a performance in a horror film.

As much as James Caan portrayed Paul Sheldon with the vulnerability and resilience needed for the role, it was Kathy Bates who made the movie the iconic cult film that it became over the years. The perfect, sickly-sweet nurse facade that Annie puts up to create a false sense of security for her favorite writer gradually unravels, revealing her deteriorating psyche. Bates is able to alternate between the almost contradictory facets of her role, crafting a villain who is disturbingly unpredictable and alarmingly fragile.

8

Jack Nicholson As Jack Torrace

The Shining (1980)

Although Shelley Duvall’s portrayal of Wendy in The Shining has recently been reevaluated, and rightfully so, the award for the best performance in Kubrick’s eerie masterpiece still goes to Jack Nicholson. After all, the film owes much of its cult status to Nicholson’s deranged portrayal of the tormented writer Jack Torrance.

The original interpreter of the Joker has a flair for playing characters who tread the subtle line between sanity and madness. Perhaps, as Stephen King said about the 1980 horror adaptation, it is true that Jack’s arch in the movie is less groundbreaking and feels occasionally flat, but Nicholson nevertheless managed to capture this more subtle transformation of the character.

Compared to Duvall, whose fear-driven performance is overt and unrestrained, his is more calculated, building tension with every single microexpression or tone shift. The bar scene, where he succumbs to his demons while talking to the ficтιтious Lloyd, remains one of the most legendary acting moments in cinematic history.

7

Hugh Grant As Mr. Reed

Heretic (2024)

Despite being a dramatic departure from the charmingly witty and romantic roles he is known for, Hugh Grant proved to be an absolute powerhouse as a villain in a scary movie. Heretic is a religious horror that relies on its perfectly crafted tension as much as the chilling performance of England’s most beloved gentleman. Grant hides the true nature of Mr. Reed under such a calm and polite facade that only serves to make his wicked persona all the more disturbing.

Although Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East are equally believable as the unfortunate missionaries who end up being the victims of Reed, Grant’s performance is what steals the show. The gradual realization of Paxton and Barnes in one of the first chilling confrontations is amplified by the actor’s ability to shift from a collected and proper demeanor to the sadistic menace he reveals himself to be.

6

Tony Todd As Candyman

Candyman (1992)

There is a reason why Candyman is one of the most iconic villains in horror movies, and the performance of Tony Todd is certainly a key factor in that. The eerie antagonist of the 1992 film is the ghost of Daniel Robitaille, an African-American man from the 19th century who was viciously murdered due to his romantic relationship with a white woman.

Between his tragic and profoundly sympathetic backstory and cruel and vengeful nature, Tony Todd represents a villain who is as haunting as he is heartbreaking. Although he appears 45 minutes into the movie and the protagonist role belongs to Helen, a semiotic graduate researching urban legends, Candyman is the heart and soul of the story. If Helen’s character embodies the archetype of the recklessly curious horror hero, Todd’s chilling portrayal elevates the character from a slasher villain to a complex figure shaped by social injustice and tragic love life.

5

Anthony Perkins As Norman Bates

Psycho (1960)

At the end of the day, when one thinks of Psycho, the two images that come to mind are either the shower scene or Norman Bates’ deranged fourth-wall break. The 1960 Hitchcock masterpiece initially introduces us to the character of Marion Crane, tricking us into believing that she will be the protagonist, only to shift that role to her sister.

His ability to evoke a varied mixture of feelings in the public, from pity and sympathy to pure shock and terror, is a testament to his emotional range, portraying a man whose timid demeanor masks the terrifying monster within.

But in the end, the true heart of the movie is Norman Bates, thanks to the chilling and nuanced performance of Anthony Perkins. The actor completely outshines any other presence on the screen, as he manages to deceive everyone around him—and the viewer too—into seeing his character as a weird but good-natured man who is a victim of a domineering mother.

His ability to evoke a varied mixture of feelings in the public, from pity and sympathy to pure shock and terror, is a testament to his emotional range, portraying a man whose timid demeanor masks the terrifying monster within. His unhinged smile at the camera as he succumbs to his delusions overshadowed every other moment of the movie.

4

Ralph Fiennes As Chef Slowik

The Menu (2022)

Anya Taylor-Joy is a wonderful actress, and her portrayal of Margot was magnetic, but it pales compared to the hypnotizing performance of Ralph Fiennes as villain Chef Slowik. The truth is that, if given a simultaneously terrifying and emotionally intense role, Fiennes could outshine anyone. His part in the horror movie The Menu seems custom-made for him.

His sophisticated allure and the tragic fury that his character is consumed by create a powerful and chilling figure on the screen. While the viewer might feel compelled to root for Margot and feel sorry for the fate of the other characters, the antagonistic chef still manages to evoke a deep feeling of empathy despite the cruelty of his actions.

His manic grin and collected demeanor as he threatens to kill everyone in the room might be terrorizing. However, Fiennes still conveys the profound pain of his character through his melancholic, defeated gaze. The performance of Voldemort’s iconic actors turned Slowik into one of the most sympathetic villains in horror history, all through a heart-wrenching stare into the camera.

3

Tilda Swinton As Madame Blanc

Suspiria (2018)

While Luca Guadagnino’s remake will never reach the heights of Dario Argento’s original Suspiria, it remains a worthy horror that effectively fulfills its promise to scare and unsettle the viewer. Despite not being the protagonist (the role is reserved for Dakota Johnson), Tilda Swinton still manages to give a commanding performance as both Madame Blanc and Helena Markos, using her solemn charisma to craft two villains that will send chills down the spine of the public.

Tilda Swinton is particularly skilled at playing eerie, antagonistic figures, and her depiction here is no exception. Underneath the ethereal yet mysterious appearance of Madame Blanc, she transforms into a decayed yet commanding presence as Markos, embodying the grotesque power of the ancient leader of the coven. The actress perfectly espouses the ominous, dark aesthetic of the film, melding seamlessly with its oppressive atmosphere.

2

John Goodman As Howard Stambler

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

The protagonist of 10 Cloverfield Lane is Michelle, a young woman played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. After having a car accident, she finds herself in an underground bunker with Howard Stambler, who claims to have saved her from a catastrophic event on Earth. Although the story is presented through Michelle’s eyes, John Goodman as Howard steals the scenes.

Michelle represents a more classic, albeit incredibly well-executed, portrayal of a horror movie survivor driven by fear, doubts, and resilience. In contrast, Howard’s character and performance are more complex and multifaceted. Goodman keeps the viewer on edge throughout the watch, suspended in a fine line between antagonist and rescuer. Although Howard presents himself as a protector, he always seems one step away from a violent outburst. The enigma behind his figure is the movie’s most powerful part. Without a doubt, this horror performance is a hidden gem in John Goodman’s works.

1

Gary Oldman As Dracula

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

Gary Oldman is one of the greatest actors to ever grace the big screen. In any movie he participates in, regardless of the role he takes on, he is likely to outshine everyone else around him. This was certainly the case for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. His portrayal of the legendary figure of Count Dracula is mesmerizing and further elevates this gothic masterpiece, which is inspired by one of the most remarkable horror books in literature.

Although Keanu Reeves’ unconvincing British accent severely hindered his performance, he still managed to be charming as Jonathan Harker. Winona Ryder was deeply magnetic in the role of Mina, yet both actors seemed to fade in comparison to Oldman’s captivating presence. His transformative performance showcases not just the physicality of Dracula, but also the emotive depth that defines the horror character. The British star successfully honored the spooky yet nonetheless romantic allure of one of the most feared vampires in mythology.