Most Reviled Movie Characters

Posted on 8 Feb 00:00

 

In movies, the main protagonists are usually thought of as the light and heart of the event. In fact, some people believe that their favorite protagonist movie will be a big bore, without a hero saving the day. But they often forget that those movies would not have become the blockbusters that they are today without the reviled characters. These villains give viewers something to boo about, while they home and wish for the reviled character's defeat. While you may hate these characters in their role in movies, you probably wouldn't enjoy those movies without them.

1) Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher)– One Flew Over The Cuckoo Nest (1975)

Cast: Louise Fletcher, Jack Nicholson, Will Sampson

Nurse Mildred Ratched is the main antagonist in the movie. Also known as "Big Nurse" or "Miss Ratched" or "Miss Wretched", and is protrayed by beautifully/wickedly by the actress Louise Fletcher.

Nurse Ratched is the head nurse and director of the Salem Oregon State Hospital who wants complete control over the hospital and all of its staff members. She is hungry for power and authority, using her abilities of manipulation and intimidation to control others.

She is seen as a cruel, mean and callous person at the mental institution where she works. She is also cold-hearted, uptight and believes that the best way to run the hospital is to make the patients conform to her will.

Nurse Ratched is a calculated person who takes her time to study people and bend them to her will based on their weaknesses. Fittingly, outside of the hospital when not working, Nurse Ratched wears an overcoat and a beret, which are both black.

Nurse Ratched is considered one of the greatest female villains in the history of movies. The American Film Institute named her as the fifth greatest female villain in movie history.

Louise Fletcher as Nurse Ratched won the Academy Award for Best Actress.

2) Commodus - Gladiator (2000)

Cast:  Joaquin Phoenix, Russel Crowe, Connie Nielson

Marcel Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, best known as Emperor Commodus or as Commodus is the main antagonist in the 2000 movie 'Gladiator'. He becomes the prince of the Roman Empire after killing his father. He has a lot of objectives; he wants to kill his father and ascend the throne, which he succeeded in doing, he also wants to kill the beloved and favored Maximus, a legatus ( a high-ranking Roman military officer in the Roman Army, equivalent to a modern high-ranking general officer.  While alive, Commodus' father, Marcus Aurelius, acknowledged that Commodus his son was not a moral man, and expresses his preference to have Maximus succeed him which Commodus was fully aware of. He sought to end him). Commodus does his best to end Maximus, but fails, and is eventually defeated by Maximus. 

Commodus in manipulative and gets things done through deception. He also has control over his military forces and is an formidable swordsman, and displays his sword fighting skills to the people in the arena. He is egocentric and obviously lusts after his sister, Lucilla who loves Maximus.

3) Calvin Candie – Django Unchained (2012)

Cast: Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Christoph Waltz.

The role of Calvin Candie was played by the Oscar Award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2012 movie 'Django Unchained', directed by Quentin Tarantino.

He is the main antagonist and owner of the Candyland plantation. He is often referred to as Mr. Candie or Monsieur Candie.

In this movie, he has two objects, he wants to acquire more slaves to become the most powerful and wealthiest slave owner. And number tow, he want gain a lot of money in a business venture with Django and Dr. Schultz. 

Bad habits: He loved watching mandingo fights, and torturing his slaves.

Django Unchained won the MTV Movie Award for Best Jaw-Dropping Moment.

4) Lord Voldemort –Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997)

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson.
Director: Christopher Columbus

Lord Voldmort's real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle, and later known as Lord Voldemort after he acquired his dark powers. The students at Hogwart referred to him as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and You-Know-Who.

Portrayed in the Harry Potter series by Ralph Fiennes, and the leader of the Death Eaters, Lord Voldmort, possesses magical powers which are quite unmatched and has a mastery of nearly all dark magic. He speaks and understands Parseltongue while having manipulation skills. He is greatly feared at Hogwarts. His main goals are to kill all muggle-borns, kill Harry Potter, and become immortal and invincible with the use of the Horcruxes and the Elder Wand

5) Gollum – Lord of the Rings (2001)

Cast: Andy Serkis, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood

Directed by Peter Jackson, the 2001 movie 'Lord of the Rings' portrayed the character of Gollum, also known as Smèagol or Trahald, with the title of the Ring-bearer. His name Gollum was gotten from the sound of his gurgling cough and swallowing noise. He becomes corrupted by the ring.

The character of Gollum is voiced by Andy Serkis. Gollum is one of the earliest Hobbit types and lived for about 589 years. After being corrupted by the ring, he is deformed in body and mind, turning him into a horrible creature whose one and only goal is to possess the ring which has enslaved him, his 'precious'.

6) Warden Norton – Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Cast: Bob Gunton, Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman.

Shawshank Redemption was released in the year 1994, and directed by Frank Darabont. Warden Norton is the main antagonist. He is the in the Shawshank State Prison, who is known for his callousness, heartlessness, and corrupt practices.

Early in the film, Warden Norton portrays himself as a devout Christian. We find out later that he does this to keep up public appearances, i.e., he makes his prisoners understand that he won't tolerate blasphemy in his prison and won't fail to give them discipline and the Bible.

 7) Hans Landa – Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Cast: Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz
Director:  Quentin Tarantino
Narrated By:  Samuel Jackson

Standartenführer Hans Landa, best known as Hans Landa in the 2009 movie Inglourious Basterds, is portrayed by Christoph Waltz. He is Nicknamed the Jew Hunter, due to his ability to locate Jews hiding in France.

Hans Landa is the main antagonist in the movie, an Austrian SS colonel assigned to Sicherheitsdienst. Hans Landa is egotistical and takes great pride in his fearsome reputation.

For his outstanding performance in the movie, Christoph Waltz won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor and also the Cannes Film Festival Best Actor Award in 2009.

 

Conclusion:

These are the most reviled movie characters of all time. If these characters were not showcased in your favorite film, the whole movie will probably be a big bore. As you won't have anyone to boo or loathe.


Movie Buffs Forever stocks classic movies on DVD from the 1940's to the early 2000's. Browse our vast collection of old, rare and out of print classic movies on DVD.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
Why We Still Love DVDs