With so many villains we love to hate, movie fundi Spling goes to the dark side in search of the Top 5 best ones.

The Joker, The Dark Knight

Jack Nicholson was born to play The Joker in Batman. To beat the Hollywood jester at his own game, may have ultimately cost him his life, but Heath Ledger immortalised an indelible performance as The Joker in The Dark Knight. He silenced critics, upset Jack Nicholson, stole the show, won an Oscar and established a cult legacy with one performance.

The maniacal smirk, the psychotic smarts, the devil-may-care attitude and the complete embodiment of a master villain entrenched itself in pop culture, even hijacking media reports of a mass shooting at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises.

Best line: “Do you wanna know why I use a knife? Guns are too quick. You can’t savour all the… little… emotions. In… you see, in their last moments, people show you who they really are. So in a way, I know your friends better than you ever did.”

Hannibal Lecter, The Silence of the Lambs

Anthony Hopkins is the personification of evil as Dr. Hannibal Lecter. His blood-curdling performance won him an Oscar, despite appearing on-screen for only 16 minutes. As one of the greatest living actors, this career-defining performance as a psychotic cannibalistic serial killer captured the imagination and cast the boogeyman, as he would call it, into film history.

Hopkins conveys a ‘pure psychopath’ through dead cold eyes, a slithering tongue and a controlled lunacy. The paradoxical role presents an intellectually brilliant and refined gentleman, who has cultivated a savage taste for human flesh and a penchant for killing the ill-mannered.

Best line: “I do wish we could chat longer, but... I'm having an old friend for dinner. Bye.”

Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious, Star Wars

While Darth Vader is the most iconic Star Wars villain, he is subservient to pure prime evil in the form of Darth Sidious. Ian McDiarmid’s weathered features and treacherous voice add considerable menace to the shadowy and omniscient grandmaster of the Galactic Empire. 

While thought to be Senator Palpatine of Naboo, a trustworthy public servant of the people, he turns out to be a megalomaniac Sith Lord. Darth Sidious is evil to the core, representing the most despicable and poisonous aspects of political tyranny. He was responsible for Vader’s crossing over to the dark side of the Force, and attempted assassination.

Best line: “You are fulfilling your destiny, Anakin. Become my apprentice. Learn to use the dark side of the Force.”

Freddy Krueger, A Nightmare on Elm Street

As the nightmarish and vengeful spirit of a child molester and killer who was burned alive, Freddy Krueger embodies the scum of the earth. He’s a terrifying character who can move between reality and dreams, making his power immeasurable across all states of consciousness as he preys on the fears of his victims.

Robert Englund has become synonymous with Krueger, bringing infamy to the brown fedora, striped shirt and leather claw. Wes Craven’s dark inspiration for the villain came from a school bully, a disfigured homeless man who frightened him and the song Dream Weaver by Gary Wright.

Best Line: “When I was alive, I might have been a little naughty, but after they killed me, I became something much, much worse. The stuff nightmares are made of.”

It, It

“It” is an inter-dimensional demonic entity and shape-shifting creature of unknown origin that preys on humans in the town of Derry every three decades. Assumes the form of a middle-aged clown named Pennywise the Dancing Clown, played quite deviously by the man with a Cheshire cat grin, Tim Curry. Yet, to the unrestrained eye, he is perceived as a giant spider.

It is, of course, none other than the master of horror, Stephen King, who concocted this childhood nightmare that continues to haunt the characters (and audiences) into adulthood. By feeding off imagination and preying on fears and phobias, It’s able to manipulate its form, but if there is one thing that remains true, it’s that after watching It, you’ll never look at a clown the same way again. 

Best line: “I'll kill you all! Ha Ha! I'll drive you crazy and I'll kill you all! I'm every nightmare you've ever had! I am your worst dream come true! I'M EVERYTHING YOU EVER WERE AFRAID OF!”

Close but no cigar

Col. Hans Landa from Inglourious Basterds, Alex Forrest from Fatal Attraction, Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter series, John Doe from Seven, Pinhead from Hellraiser, Jaws, Agent Smith from The Matrix.

Article first appeared in TechSmart 132.