Top 10 Movie Villains Created by Other Villains

Top 10 Movie Villains Created by Other Villains

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Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 Villains Created by Other Villains. For this list, we’re taking a look at villains who probably wouldn’t have become villains at all had it not been for another manipulative baddie. We're excluding animated characters, so even though they may have made appearances in animated films, we're sticking with their live-action counterparts. Also, a spoiler alert is in order.

#10: The Horde

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"Split" (2016) & "Glass" (2019) After nearly a decade of being a pop-culture punchline, M. Night Shyamalan surprised audiences with "Split," a smart, effective psychological thriller that focused more on character than setting up a twist ending. A uniformly excellent James McAvoy plays Kevin Wendell Crumb, as well as the different personalities in his mind. Though we don't meet them all, the ultimate threat is The Beast, an unstoppable killer impervious to even stab wounds. We eventually learn what caused his split – his father's death in a train accident. The real twist? Elijah Price caused the accident, bringing “Unbreakable,” “Split,” and “Glass” full circle.

#9: The Jigsaw Copycats

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“Saw” franchise (2004-) Of the serial killers in recent horror films, few have motives that're somewhat understandable. John Kramer is the exception to the rule. A terminal cancer patient who only wants his victims to understand why living is worthwhile, his methods may be sadistic, but we're sure he could have written a pretty decent self-help book. His followers, beginning with Amanda Young, were disciples of the same principle. Having survived his gruesome test, it's revealed in "Saw II" that Amanda has taken up her mentor's mantle. This all comes full circle in "The Final Chapter," in which Cary Elwes' Dr. Lawrence Gordon has done the same. Hey, life lessons can be brutal, fortunately they rarely involve cutting off limbs.

"Guardians of the Galaxy" franchise (2014-) Up until recent years, the biggest criticism of the Marvel Cinematic Universe were the villains. Fans often viewed them as one-sided and generic. Enter Nebula, one of the earliest complex villains in the film universe. Created by Thanos and the adopted sister of Gamora, she switches allegiance throughout the series more than once. Particularly in "Guardians," where she first vows to fight alongside lead baddie Ronan The Accuser to obtain one of the Infinity Stones and best her sister in battle. After severe physical mutilation inflicted by Thanos every time she fails, she vows to vanquish him, but still stays by Ronan's side. Eventually, she redeems herself, but it's a long fall and physical deformity before she gets there.

"The Lord of The Rings" franchise (2001-) Often, the best of villains begin as allies. Next to Dracula, Saruman is probably Christopher Lee's most recognizable role. It stands to reason, given that his path to antagonist is one of the most familiar tales, Saruman was indirectly created by Sauron himself, his lust for power being the ultimate result. As stories of betrayal and power gone awry go, this is gangbusters. Saruman goes full evil, allying with Sauron and raising an army of Uruk-hai. Without Gandalf's help, he tries to thwart the Fellowship of the Ring with his army. You know the old saying, though: the higher you climb, the further you have to fall.

"Suicide Squad" (2016) Harley Quinn is one of the most compelling villains in recent Batman lore. An original character from "Batman: The Animated Series," her popularity led to her pretty much being the lead in the ensemble "Suicide Squad." Born Harleen Quinzel, she was a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum who had the misfortune of treating The Joker. Almost immediately, he set about manipulating her to fall in love with him, further driving her insane using electroshock therapy. Soon after, she's got a brand-new name, a new look, and the same love of thrill-killing as Mr. J.

#5: Jason Voorhees

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"Friday the 13th" franchise (1980-) It's a little difficult to clarify just who was responsible for Jason Voorhees’ derangement, the oversexed camp counselors who let him drown or his homicidal mother. By the end of “Part 2,” though, we have a pretty good idea: Seeing Mrs. Voorhees brutally decapitated at the end of the first film set him on one long rampage that transcended even death, a trip to New York, and outer space. Jason even hears the voice of his dead mother telling him to go wild throughout the franchise, so his motivation is fairly obvious. An overprotective mother is usually just a bit of a burden. Here, it's cause for filial homicide.

"Batman Returns" (1992) Tim Burton's follow-up to his gothic adaptation of the DC comic book series may have had diminishing box office returns, but there's plenty to love about it. First and foremost is Michelle Pfeiffer's Selina Kyle, who before becoming the master cat burglar, is the squirrelly secretary to Christopher Walken's evil Max Schreck. Walken's villain was obvious, given he's named after the actor who played Nosferatu, but no one really expected him to throw Kyle out a window after she uncovers his corruption. After being mysteriously revived by a group of cats, she seeks revenge. Her origin is vastly different from the comics, but Pfeiffer sells it with conviction.

"X-Men: First Class" (2011) "X-Men" has always had some political commentary behind its plot lines, but never was it more obvious than Mathew Vaughn's prequel "First Class," which mixes science fiction with a James Bond-esque Cold War thriller. Originally planned as an origin story for Magneto, instead it served as a soft reboot. Magneto is still the most compelling character, though. Imprisoned in a concentration camp as a child, Nazi scientist Sebastian Shaw, played by Kevin Bacon, kills his mother in front of him, bringing out his mutant powers. He spends most of the film hunting Shaw, who plots the Cuban Missile Crisis, even as he's mentored to temper his anger by Professor X. Eventually he gives in and murders Shaw, beginning his war on humankind.

#2: Harvey Dent

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"The Dark Knight" (2008) Harvey Dent's transformation into Two-Face has been dealt with in different ways throughout comics, cartoons, and previous films, but the most epic retelling is easily his turn in "The Dark Knight." Rather than have acid thrown in his face during a trial, Gotham's White Knight is forced to listen to love Rachel Dawes blow up before half his face catches fire. It's Harvey's quest to punish those responsible for Rachel that turns out to be the key to the Joker's plan to send Gotham into ruin. Superhero films are often plagued with one villain too many, but Two-Face's inclusion feels all too logical in a movie that focuses so much on chaos.

"Star Wars" franchise (1977-) Oh, to be alive in 1980, an age before internet spoilers, and hear Darth Vader utter that famous twist on the big screen in "The Empire Strikes Back." Until that moment, audiences just assumed Vader was just another big bad in a space western. For better or worse, we know every aspect of Anakin Skywalker's turn to the Dark Side. Beginning as a young boy on Tatooine with a knack for podracing and a strong link to the Force. Through a series of dirty politics by the future Emperor leading to an eventual Jedi genocide, Skywalker is sidetracked from the side of good and lead down the rabbit hole of pure evil. Turns out Yoda was right to be skeptical.