12 Of The Best Villains Of 2022 So Far
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This year, audiences have gotten some terrific villains across movies and television.
Ranging from sympathetic to downright evil, the villains on this list left their mark on audiences with their sinister antics and long-winded monologues. Though there are more to come this year, here are the best movie villains of 2022 — so far.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!
12.Dr. Robotnik — Sonic the Hedgehog 2
After a crushing defeat at the hands of Sonic, Dr. Robotnik returns to exact revenge with his new partner, Knuckles. Jim Carrey delivered another hysterical performance as the mustachioed scientist, with him going full-ham in every one of his scenes. Even after acquiring the Master Emerald and becoming a god, he can't help but be his ridiculous self.
11.The Grabber — The Black Phone
Ethan Hawke had a pretty good year, having also played cult leader Arthur Harrow in Marvel Studios' Moon Knight. However, his best role of the year is arguably that of the Grabber. This child-abducting serial killer made for a truly terrifying villain. With his many masks and volatile character, the Grabber can quickly shift from a creepily kind presence to a relentlessly vile beast, which is frightening all by itself.
10.Ghostface — Scream (2022)
The ones who took up the mantle of Ghostface in the latest Scream film were revealed to be Sam's boyfriend, Richie, and Tara's best friend, Amber. As fans of the Stab franchise (the in-universe version of Scream), Richie and Amber continued the trend of Ghostface killings to give Hollywood new ideas for the next Stab film. Clearly a criticism of toxic fans, this latest Ghostface duo breathed new life into the franchise with their criticisms of “elevated horror” and movie "requels" and their creative but shocking kills.
9.Gorr the God Butcher — Thor: Love and Thunder
Though once devoted to the god of his world, Gorr takes up the cursed Necrosword, vowing to eradicate all gods after learning of their callous indifference toward him and his dead daughter. Once again, Christian Bale disappears into his role as the creepy and bloodthirsty God Butcher. With his Necrosword and the army of demons it bestows upon him, Gorr nearly succeeds in his crusade against the gods, but he still proves himself to be a good person at heart as he learns the error of his ways.
8.Scarlet Witch — Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
After her mind becomes corrupted by the Darkhold, Wanda begins a bloody rampage across the multiverse to find America Chavez and steal her power. Though Wanda’s actions are undoubtedly evil, they are all done out of a desire to reunite with her children by moving to a new reality. Audiences got to see just how powerful Wanda is as she relentlessly slaughters dozens of sorcerers and the Illuminati itself. But despite everything she's done, she still won all of our sympathies for simply wanting to have a happy life with her kids.
7.Pearl — X
In Ti West's horror masterpiece, Mia Goth plays both the young protagonist Maxine and the elderly villain, Pearl, and she is especially compelling as the latter. A twisted but sympathetic character, Pearl longs for her youthful self and the sexual gratification her husband cannot give her due to his heart condition, so she spends her autumn years murdering people and using their bodies to fulfill her urges.
6.Goff — Peacemaker
As the leader of the alien Butterflies, “Goff” possesses a US senator and attempts to influence human politics until she was discovered by Peacemaker and his team. Though Goff and her fellow Butterflies essentially kill everyone they possess, she still draws sympathy for her actions, as she wanted to prevent humanity from destroying their own planet by guiding them in the right direction.
5.Harmony Cobel — Severance
On a dime, Patricia Arquette switches between Mark's kindhearted neighbor, Mrs. Selvig, to his aloof and cold-hearted boss, Ms. Cobel. As a senior manager at Lumon Industries, Cobel shows cult-like devotion to her company and does whatever it takes to keep their shady business afloat, including torturing her employees and locking them in their offices.
4.Darth Vader — Obi-Wan Kenobi
Almost two decades since he appeared in the franchise, Hayden Christensen returned as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader for a rematch with his former master. Vader proved to be just as menacing as ever, with Christensen giving a redemptive performance as the conflicted Sith Lord. His most standout moment was his final conversation with Obi-Wan after their climactic duel, solidifying the great tragedy of his iconic character.
3.The Riddler — The Batman
Director Matt Reeves and actor Paul Dano did what was thought to be impossible and made the Riddler genuinely terrifying. Furious over how Gotham has wronged him and his fellow orphans, the Riddler begins murdering the city’s elite citizens, forcing Batman into a game of cat and mouse. With his ingenuity, Riddler succeeds in killing Carmine Falcone, exposing Gotham's corruption, and ravaging the city with a massive flood. Though this character shares similarities with Joaquin Phoenix's Joker, the Riddler stands out on its own for Dano's unique take on the criminal mastermind.
2.Jobu Tupaki — Everything Everywhere All at Once
In The Daniels’ mind-blowing sci-fi masterpiece, Stephanie Hsu plays both Evelyn’s daughter Joy and Jobu Tupaki, a version of Joy from the “Alphaverse” who became all-powerful after her mind became fractured. Though she has the power to conquer all of reality, Jobu Tupaki merely seeks to destroy herself, believing that nothing matters in such a vast multiverse. As the embodiment of depression and nihilism, this omnipotent being is a compelling villain many people will find relatable.
1.Vecna — Stranger Things
He is the one who broke the world. Years after Henry Creel murdered his mother and sister, Eleven faces him in a psychic showdown and banishes him to the Upside Down. There, he takes control of the Mind Flayer and becomes the dark wizard, Vecna. Jamie Campbell Bower gives an unforgettable performance as the psychic serial killer, and Vecna brings all kinds of scares as he torments and brutalizes his victims. In the end, Vecna succeeds in literally tearing Hawkins apart by opening a giant gate to the Upside Down, making him one of the most frightening villains in recent history.
