Top 10 Wholesome Actors Who Took Evil Roles
#10: Elijah Wood
“Sin City” (2005) Even if you aren’t familiar with his child acting, you likely know Elijah Wood for his role as Frodo. The “Lord of the Rings” star became an underdog hero for a new generation and then completely subverted expectations with “Sin City.” In a movie of unsettling characters, Kevin might just be the worst. He’s a psychopathic killer with cannibalistic tendencies. And Wood’s blank expression helps make the monster even more terrifying than your average villain. It’s such a creepy part that will make you squirm at every turn. Those expecting a Tolkien hobbit will get a real shock to their system with this performance.
#9: Leonardo DiCaprio
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“Django Unchained” (2012) In the 1990s, this actor became a huge star with parts like Jack in “Titanic.” While he didn’t exclusively play good guys after that, most of us associated him with heroic roles. That changed with “Django Unchained.” DiCaprio becomes Calvin Candie and doesn’t give him a shred of decency. The vicious plantation owner lets his true self be known in his first scene, and only gets worse as he invites the main characters back to his horrible home. Disappearing into the part, DiCaprio gives every moment a layer of racist anger that few villains have ever matched on screen. Even after playing anti-heroes, this leading man might never explore someone this evil again.
#8: Harrison Ford
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“What Lies Beneath” (2000) He’s played some of the most famous heroes in movie history, but rarely has Harrison Ford descended into true villain status. “What Lies Beneath” was a chance for the actor to essentially play the opposite of Indiana Jones. Ford is Dr. Norman Spencer, a husband with many more secrets than his wife could have expected. This leads to startling revelations and a tense third act where Ford’s lead lets out his true awfulness. The star uses both his everyman personality and his best evil acting to keep audiences guessing. Once you see what his character does to Michelle Pfeiffer’s Claire, you’ll be creeped out for days. You would never expect this from the man behind Han Solo, making the casting choice extra effective.
#7: Tom Cruise
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“Collateral” (2004) Sometimes called “the last movie star”, Tom Cruise embodies the spirit of heroes like Maverick and Ethan Hunt. His work in this Michael Mann film, however, stands as a big departure from his time in “Top Gun” or “Mission: Impossible.” Sporting a distinct hairdo, Cruise plays a hitman named Vincent who has just enough charisma to get the job done. He forces Jamie Foxx’s cab driver to ferry him around Los Angeles in order to exact a string of murders. Diabolical and unpredictable, this antagonist finds the actor in top form as he executes targets with lethal precision. You certainly don’t want to cross him in an alley or a nightclub. Cruise is willing to go for broke, and plays a chilling assassin especially well.
#6: Steve Carell
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“Foxcatcher” (2014) Best known for his work on “The Office,” Steve Carell has a knack for quirky and funny parts. But he dropped all of his comedic impulses for “Foxcatcher.” Playing John du Pont, he makes viewers cringe with his lack of emotions. The whole thing veers into horror at certain points, as the man eventually lashes out and kills somebody. The wealthy heir might be the darkest role of Carell’s career, allowing him to access a side that’s rarely shown on screen. You can barely recognize the actor himself considering how deep into character he is. By the end, you’ll probably never look at Carell the same way again.
#5: Denzel Washington
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“Training Day” (2001) Detective Alonzo Harris is many things, but nice definitely isn’t one of them. This corrupt cop stops at nothing to get his way, even if it means robbery or murder. Denzel Washington’s scene-stealing performance won him a second Oscar, proving that he had another side to him as an actor. The star’s work in everything from “Glory” to “The Equalizer” shows him in more heroic form, but “Training Day” lets him run wild. Harris has no filter and willfully puts others in harm's way for his own benefit. After giving Ethan Hawke’s character the worst day ever, Washington’s lead makes sure everybody knows just how shameless he is.
#4: Tom Hanks
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“Road to Perdition” (2002) In this particular film, there aren’t exactly any traditional heroes. The mob story finds Tom Hanks playing an anti-hero, Michael Sullivan, Sr., who kills plenty of people by the end. We often find Hanks portraying the model citizen or the comic lead, but he’s neither in this grim tale. He’s not the only one who comes out looking villainous either, as Paul Newman and Jude Law also get their evil moments. Sullivan Sr. tries to protect his son and avenge his family, but it all comes at the cost of his soul. The fact that Hanks can play a violent man as compellingly as his most famous roles is a testament to his skill.
#3: Robin Williams
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“Insomnia” (2002) When you think of Robin Williams, you probably think of hilarious comedy or heartbreaking dramas. However, the late artist completely transforms into conniving killer Walter Finch for “Insomnia.” Playing against type, Williams comes off more sinister than ever before. He also finds a way to build the character around subtle and quiet moments of menace. Watching him opposite Al Pacino, the true diversity of his talent comes out in this Christopher Nolan film. The performance is so stellar it makes us wish he had played more all-out villains during his lifetime. Finch wasn’t the only disturbing role Williams took on that year either, lending his star power to “One Hour Photo” as well.
#2: Heath Ledger
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“The Dark Knight” (2008) As one of the brightest stars of the late ‘90s and 2000s, the late Heath Ledger impressed in everything from amazing dramas to heartthrob roles. His turn as the Joker still stands as a defining part in his career, making movies like “A Knight’s Tale” seem like they’re from a different performer. In “The Dark Knight,” Ledger combines a creepy laugh, clown makeup, and amazing physicality to create a masterful villain. He elevates the character by mixing chaos and terror in equal measure. He succeeds in contorting his every mannerism into something completely foreign to his usual persona. “Batman” films have been known to let people explore darker roles, with Danny DeVito’s work as Penguin being another standout (xref). Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. John Goodman, “Barton Fink” (1991) Using His Gregarious Charm, Goodman Subverts His Persona to Play a Mad Killer Jodie Foster, “Elysium” (2013) Playing a Strict Defense Secretary, Foster Reveals Her Knack for Portraying Cold Villains Will Smith, “Six Degrees of Separation” (1993) Smith Leaves Behind His Crowd-Pleasing Characters to Play a Con Man Hugh Grant, “Paddington 2” (2017) Grant Sheds His Rom-Com Charm for a Theatrical Villain Role Octavia Spencer, “Ma” (2019) The Oscar-Winner Becomes a Scary Woman Who Hosts High School Parties at Her House
#1: Henry Fonda
“Once Upon a Time in the West” (1968) When the late Henry Fonda was in a Western, he was usually the moral center of the film. “Once Upon a Time in the West” completely changed that notion. Indeed, he plays a heartless murderer in this Sergio Leone movie. His work as Frank might just embody pure evil, with the character seemingly killing anyone who gets in his way, often in truly disturbing fashion. Fonda really digs his teeth into the role, portraying the dirty outlaw who plays by his own rules with everything he has. A later flashback reveals the deepest depths of Frank’s sadistic nature. With his final moments on screen, Fonda sells the awful details of his character’s troubled ways. Did we forget another memorable villain turn? Let us know in the comments below.
