The 21st century has been incredibly generous in the villain department. Any of these villains, as well as some that have been omitted because of how iconic these villains are, could be number one, that is how close these characters are in terms of greatness. Of course, this list is my own opinion and could vary drastically depending on who you ask. I rated these villains based on fear, likability, actor's portrayals, and their overall threat to the protagonists.
Here is my list for the top five movie villains of the 21st century (so far):
Honorable Mentions: Alonzo Harris - "Training Day", Frank Costello - "the Departed", Loki - Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain Vidal - "Pan's Labyrinth", Voldemort - Harry Potter Franchise, Vincent - "Collateral", Commodus - "Gladiator"
5) Calvin Candie – “Django Unchained”
Calvin Candie, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, was the French-obsessed plantation owner in Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 film, “Django Unchained”. Although there are several villains throughout the film, DiCaprio’s Calvin Candie is most certainly the main antagonist. Candie makes this list because although there have been several terrible slave masters in film this century, Candie truly exemplifies the meaning of cruelty. He forces male slaves to fight to the death for money, forces female slaves into prostitution, and essentially kills any slave who refuse to do what he says, going so far as to feed a slave to his dogs for refusing to fight. Candie does all of this because he truly believes that slaves are biologically inferior and born to submit to their white masters.
Most Memorable Moment: When Calvin Candie describes the science behind black people’s “naturally submissive” role in society and smears his blood (Leonardo DiCaprio’s real blood after accidentally slicing his hand open from a broken glass) on actress Kerry Washington’s face.
4) Anton Chigurh – “No Country For Old Men”
Anton Chigurh is the main antagonist of the 2007 Coen Brothers film, “No Country For Old Men”, and is portrayed by actor Javier Bardem. Chigurh is a professional and seemingly unstoppable hitman tasked with retrieving a stolen briefcase filled with money in the film. This character is by far the most terrifying character on this list, and exhibits literally zero emotion or remorse in the numerous murders he commits. In fact, Chigurh kills almost everyone he meets in the film, doing so in ruthless and gory fashion. Anton Chigurh also leaves some of his murders up to chance, tossing a coin to decide whether someone lives or dies.
Most Memorable Moment: When Anton speaks with the gas station attendant and inquiring, “What’s the most you ever lost in a coin toss?” Chigurh’s demands for the attendant to “call it” after he flipped the coin creates one of the most thrilling scenes in cinematic history.
3) Bill “the Butcher” Cutting – “Gangs of New York”
Bill “the Butcher” played by the incredible Daniel Day-Lewis is the central antagonist in Martin Scorsese’s 19th century American epic, “Gangs of New York”. Cutting is the leader of the Natives, a gang which consist of U.S. born citizens and fights against immigrant gangs, specifically the Irish Catholic gang, the Dead Rabbits. Cutting is deeply nationalistic for his country, and hates those that immigrate to the United States. Cutting is a butcher by trade and hobby, as well as a master of knives and blades, demonstrating his abilities throughout the film in gory fashion. What puts Bill above Anton Chigurh is although he is not nearly as terrifying, he is honorable and we learn to like him through the eyes of the protagonist, Amsterdam. He becomes a father figure to the protagonist, and we feel for him when he learns of Amsterdam’s true identity and betrayal. Bill Cutting’s intense emotional character arc is something the other villains in this list simply do not have.
Most Memorable Moment: When Bill discovers Amsterdam’s identity and betrayal, responding by ruthlessly torturing him in front of a crowd, smashing his own head into him, and eventually, burning a blade onto his cheek.
2) Colonel Hans Landa – “Inglorious Basterds”
Colonel Hans Landa, played by a then not-well-known actor Christoph Waltz, is the main antagonist Quentin Tarantino’s 2005 World War II film, “Inglorious Basterds”. Landa is a Nazi SS officer tasked with hunting all Jews hiding in France, using his high intelligence and talents in foreign languages to do so. He takes pride that he is so good at his job; he earns the nickname, “The Jew Hunter”. What makes Landa such an amazing villain besides his ruthlessness is his polite demeanor when committing terrible acts. He also appears to always be in control, and appears to know everything about everyone. Landa is such a good villain that despite him being a Nazi of all things, he is still incredibly likable. Because of this likability, as well as his somewhat comedic attitude in several scenes, he earns this number two spot.
Most Memorable Moment: When Landa is introduced and is interrogating the French farmer at the very beginning of the film, going from incredibly polite to incredibly serious and ruthless in the blink of an eye.
1) The Joker – “The Dark Knight”
The Joker, portrayed in Christopher Nolan’s 2008 film “the Dark Knight” by Heath Ledger in one of his final roles, is the number one villain of this century so far. The Joker is a terrorist-like criminal who combats Batman in an effort to simply “watch the world burn.” Ledger’s Joker has it all when it comes to being a successful villain. The Joker is terrifying, unpredictable, likable, charismatic, and ruthless, all the while living up to his namesake and being funny on some occasions. He also always appears to be two steps ahead of everyone in the film, and is one of the few villains who seems to be triumphant in the end.The Joker is a character that remains with you forever, really, and exemplifies what it means to be a perfect cinematic villain.
Most Memorable Moment(s): When the Joker walks in to a mob meeting and displays a magic trick. Also, whenever he reveals how he received his scars on his face.
