SPOILER ALERT! So often villains are an underwhelming obstacle for the protagonist to overcome. Not these guys! These top five nominees successfully raised the stakes and tension of their films, while providing an excellent contrast to the primary character. Here are my favorite villains of the year, who are all nearly as memorable as their film's protagonists, if not more so!
Favorite Villain Nominees:
Conrad Stonebanks | as played by Mel Gibson in The Expendables 3 |
 | I love Mel Gibson and was ecstatic to see him return to the big screen. I was even more elated that his return was as the villain of The Expendables III, and he didn't disappoint! Gibson stars as Conrad Stonebanks, who co-founded The Expendables crew with Stallone's Barney Ross many years ago. Gibson's Stonebanks is intense and maniacal, and he steals every scene he's in. Nobody does crazy better than Gibson! |
Mike Shiner | as played by Edward Norton in Birdman |
 | Norton's Mike Shiner in Birdman is precisely the kind of character you love to hate. To put it bluntly, he's a prissy and arrogant prick. When Riggan Thomson (Keaton) needs a better actor for his play, he scores the talented Broadway actor, Mike Shiner. Though it turns out that he wound up casting more than be bargained for. Despite Shiner's talent, he's unapologetic, and difficult to work with, but he's also a joy to watch. |
Amy Dunne | as played by Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl |
 | "Amazing Amy" Dunne dances joyfully between the fine line of genius and complete psychopath. There's no denying that this chick is out-of-this-world crazy, but she's also methodical, patient, and all too clever. Amy is the kind of character that will be giving men nightmares about marriage for decades. And if ever a man should think of committing infidelity, may he be reminded of Amy Dunne and wisely reconsider. |
Viggo Tarasov | as played by Michael Nyqvist in John Wick |
 | Viggo Tarasov is the head of New York's Russian crime syndicate, although he owes much of his success to his own former assassin, John Wick, who eliminated all of his competition. Now that his foolish son has assaulted the retired Wick, Viggo has to reluctantly prepare for retaliation. While no match for Wick alone, Viggo's a delightful villain who has the resources and power to make things interesting for his old hitman. |
Koba | as played by Toby Kebbell in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes |
 | Koba is the perfect contrast to Caesar, the leader of the apes. He is the id to Caesar's ego, acting on instinct to fulfill his own desires, no matter how ruthless the cost. Having been abused and experimented on by humans for years, Koba despises the human race, and struggles with following Caesar's sympathy towards them. He is willing to abandon his allegiance to his savior, Caesar, to get his revenge. |
And the Winner Is...
Amy Dunne
(Gone Girl)
Favorite Villain
The least expected villain of the year was also hands-down the best villain of the year. "Amazing Amy" Dunne is banana nut bread crazy. We're talking straight B-A-N-A-N-A-S! This is the kind of character that will haunt the male gender for decades. She might seem pretty mellow on the surface, but deep inside, there are demons a-brewin'! Nick Dunne should have thought twice about cheating, and he should have treated his wife better in general. But hey, let's not fool ourselves here. Amy's not just some ordinary unhappy housewife who decides to get revenge on her husband. She's a legitimate freaking psychopath. She goes so far to get her way, and even further to cover her tracks. What makes her even more terrifying thing is that she's able to get away with it all, and then keeps her husband trapped in a perpetual state of fear and misery with one final trick up her sleeve. Amy weaves an intricate web of lies and deceit, leaving husband Nick Dunne dangling as her prey.
| Tell me what you think! Do you agree or disagree? Vote for which nominee is your Favorite Villain of the Year! Share your own choices in the comments below! | |
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