#The Best Villain Roles From Actors Who Almost Always Play Good Heroes
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“The Best Villain Roles From Actors Who Almost Always Play Good Heroes”
Chris Hemsworth is beloved for his charming and commanding performance as Asgardian god Thor, but he took on a more sinister role when he played a dangerous cult leader in the 2018 thriller Bad Times at the El Royale; his Avengers co-star Chris Evans followed suit as a scheming, spoiled playboy who will stop at nothing to inherit his grandfather’s wealth in the mystery flick Knives Out. Both actors did a marvelous job at their against typecast roles, proving that even the most likable and charismatic performers can embrace their wicked and villainous sides. These are some of the best villain roles from actors who almost always play good heroes.
8 Chris Hemsworth (Bad Times at the El Royale)
Adored for portraying Marvel’s hammer-wielding, muscular Asgardian god Thor, Chris Hemsworth is famous for playing good guys who battle it out for the well-being of mankind. Outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hemsworth frequently dons the white hat and stars as exciting and memorable heroes, such as the titular warrior in Snow White and the Huntsman, Agent H in Men in Black: International, and as a tough-as-nails black ops mercenary in Extraction.
The actor decided to switch lanes by appearing as the enigmatic and violent cult leader Billy Lee in the 2018 neo-noir thriller Bad Times at the El Royale, who wreaks havoc on a group of mysterious strangers at a rundown hotel in the 1960s. On portraying the villainous Billy Lee, Hemsworth said, “I desperately wanted to do something like this, and not just for the sake of being the villain… I’ve spent a lot of my career playing the hero, which becomes predictable, and so, to be unpredictable and turn left when you should turn right, and continually keep yourself guessing is great.”
7 Sarah Michelle Gellar (Cruel Intentions)
Saving the world from terrifying baddies every week while balancing high school and a social life is no small feat, but Sarah Michelle Gellar kicked butt and looked good doing it during her reign as Buffy Summers in the smash hit series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She would carry that good guy persona to the silver screen beyond being a horror genre legend, with roles like Mystery Inc. member Daphne Blake in the live-action Scooby-Doo and as superheroine Teela in the Netflix fantasy series Masters of the Universe: Revelation.
Gellar’s performance as the scheming, diabolical Kathryn Merteuil in the 1999 cult classic Cruel Intentions showed off the actress’ dark side brilliantly and her ability to embrace her inner villainess. While not an all out “bad guy,” Kathryn is not one to mess with, with Roger Ebert writing that she is “effective as a bright girl who knows exactly how to use her act as a tramp;” the actress won the Teen Choice Award for Best Movie Villain for her memorable portrayal.
6 Harrison Ford (What Lies Beneath)
Who would have thought that America’s favorite hero Harrison Ford could play a terrifying bad guy oh-so-well? The actor captured the hearts of fans across the world with his iconic portrayal of the cynical loner Han Solo in the groundbreaking Star Wars franchise by George Lucas and as the fedora-wearing, snake-fearing iconic character Indiana Jones in the beloved films series of the same name. Ford would go on to further embrace the hero persona with parts in the thrillers Witness, The Fugitive, and Air Force One.
Though he has dabbled in the dark and mysterious from time to time, he fully took on the role of a villain in the 2000 supernatural thriller What Lies Beneath. In the frightening flick, the actor appears as Dr. Norman Spencer, a respected university research scientist and seemingly devoted husband who harbors a menacing and murderous secret side, later terrorizing his wife. The New York Post praised Ford’s chilling performance, writing, “Ford is cast effectively against type as the philandering and increasingly manipulative spouse.”
5 Christian Bale (American Psycho)
Undeniably one of the greatest actors to ever don the famed batsuit, Christian Bale was a force to be reckoned with as masked vigilante Batman protecting Gotham City in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy. Bale is renowned for being a chameleon on the silver screen, with the actor impressively transforming for every role he’s in. The performer shines as heroic characters, showcasing his noble and valiant side with roles like FBI Special Agent Melvin Purvis in Public Enemies, Moses in Exodus: Gods and Kings, and as John Connor in Terminator Salvation.
However, Bale played the narcissistic serial killer Patrick Bateman in the 2000 horror flick American Psycho, riveting audiences with his unhinged, downright creepy performance as the homicidal maniac. American Psycho helped establish the actor as a leading man and remains one of his most buzzed-about portrayals.
4 Denzel Washington (Training Day)
One of Hollywood’s most respected and revered movie stars, Denzel Washington has been a constant cinematic presence for nearly 40 years. The esteemed performer has played a wide array of colorful and dynamic characters, with many of his finest being admirable heroes. Washington notably appeared as U.S. Marshal Sam Chisholm in The Magnificent Seven, the titular character in Ethan Coen’s 2021 historical thriller The Tragedy of Macbeth, and as DIA Intelligence Officer Robert McCall in the gripping film series The Equalizer.
The actor won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the corrupt detective Alonzo Harris in the 2001 crime thriller Training Day, abandoning his noble champion identity in favor of the shady and nefarious Los Angeles cop. When describing his edgy and crooked character, Washington said, “I think in some ways he’s done his job too well. He’s learned how to manipulate, how to push the line further and further, and, in the process, he’s become more hardcore than some of the guy’s he’s chasing.”
3 Tom Cruise (Collateral)
Tinsel Town’s favorite action megastar Tom Cruise has appeared in his fair share of courageous and honorable roles, having built a revered cinematic reputation for characters like Lieutenant “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun and IMF agent Ethan Hunt in the blockbuster hit movie franchise Mission Impossible. For Michael Mann’s 2004 neo-noir thriller Collateral, Cruise decided to bid adieu to being a hero and instead opted to play the chilling hitman Vincent, who takes an unsuspecting taxi driver hostage on a contract killing spree in Los Angeles.
The actor is superb as the silent and menacing Vincent, putting viewers on edge with his calm yet nerve-wracking portrayal, receiving widespread praise and acclaim for his commanding and tense take as the antagonist; Empire Magazine wrote, “Perhaps the best premise for thrills since Speed, only this time the bad guy’s on board and the battle of the wits is more philosophical debate than pop quiz.”
2 Leonardo DiCaprio (Django Unchained)
Hollywood heavy hitter and acclaimed Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio is one of cinema’s most diverse and compelling performers, appearing in countless award-winning pictures and noteworthy roles. He achieved international stardom with the star crossed-romances Romeo + Juliet and Titanic, as well as for heroic performances as mercenary Danny Archer in Blood Diamond, Irish immigrant Amsterdam Vallon in Gangs of New York, and as fur trapper Hugh Glass in The Revenant.
For Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 revisionist Western Django Unchained, DiCaprio took on the villainous part of the barbaric, cold-blooded plantation owner Calvin Candie who enslaves the titular hero’s beloved wife. DiCaprio was initially concerned over tackling the racist antagonist, having expressed, “This was my first attempt at playing a character I had this much disdain for. It was an incredibly uncomfortable environment to be in…I’ve seen racism growing up but the degree I had to treat other people in this film was disturbing.”
1 Chris Evans (Knives Out)
Praised for his outstanding portrayal of World War II-era super soldier and Avengers leader Captain America, Chris Evans had been heroically saving the world as the famed superhero for over a decade. The actor had previously appeared as another notorious Marvel character, the Human Torch, in 2005’s Fantastic Four and its follow-up sequel. Outside the superhero world, Evans has been the good guy in the action films The Losers, Snowpiercer, and Push.
For the star-studded ensemble 2019 mystery Knives Out, Evans got a little less valiant and a lot more diabolical, appearing as the spoiled, cable-knit-wearing playboy Ransom Drysdale who vies for the inheritance of his wealthy mystery novelist grandfather. While none of the Drysdale clan are particularly likable, Ransom is downright deplorable, scheming and committing all kinds of nefarious deeds in order to obtain the estate. The star enjoyed playing someone so nasty, saying at the Toronto International Film Festival, “It’s nice to play somebody a little more vile. I don’t always get the opportunity to play someone who’s so despicable; so yeah, it’s fun.”
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