The most infamous film villains

A close-up of Darth Vader mask.

Remember at the end of last year I wrote the Inside Film top 5 film heroes list? Well, here comes the darker side of the list. Within you will find the most evil, most badass villains in film. Ready? Don’t be afraid.

5. Annie Wilkes

Annie Wilkes holding a revolver and a syringe.

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For anyone who has seen Stephen King’s Misery, this comes as no surprise. Perhaps not the scariest of his film adaptations, but wow, it sure is creepy. This comes as no surprise. Annie Wilkes is one messed up chick. I don’t think I have ever been this scared of a middle-aged woman before. Worst moment? When Paul Sheldon is searching the house, and you just know she’ll be through the door at any moment…

4. Anton Chigurh

Anton Chigurh sat in a chair.

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No Country for Old Men. What a film. Personally, I think it is made by the psychotic-perfection of this man. A gun-for-hire with a twisted devotion to chance. Silenced shotguns are super sinister too. Worst moment has to be the murder of Carla Jean. Talk about bloody.

3. Hannibal Lecter

Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins, stood by a door.

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“Bowels in, or bowels out?” An insane genius who loves the taste of human. Pretty much writes itself here. Hannibal Lecter is perfected by Anthony Hopkins and his magnetic charm. He’ll get into your head and stay there, trust me. Worst moment has to be when he makes a drugged Ray Liotta munch on his own brain in Hannibal. Pretty messed up right?

2. The Joker

Heath Ledger's Joker holding a Joker playing card.

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The thing that makes The Joker so terrifying is that he has no aims. No goals for world domination, or personal gain. He just wants to watch the world burn, and that’s truly horrific. Jack Nicholson’s Joker gets an honourable mention here, but it’s the genius of Heath Ledger that gets our vote. Worst moment? The pencil trick in The Dark Knight– not even his own goons are safe.

1. Darth Vader

Darth Vader stood in front of Snowtroopers on Hoth, the snow planet.

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The ultimate evil. Cloaked in black, a true personification of evil. Darth Vader wins by a long shot. The iconic breathing sound makes it all so tense, and the sheer power that he exudes makes him our top contender. Vader casts a shadow over all film villains, and none can step out from under it. At his most evil when he crushes the throat of a subordinate without a sound. Plus, you know, trying to kill his son.

So, any more ideas? Tell us below who you think deserves to be on this list of evil.