Have you ever wondered why we love, and can even be obsessed with, seeing the bad guys in movies? The truth is that human behavior exists on a spectrum and it is the fact that we all exist on that continuum that we can relate to the darker side of humanity, even if just a bit. There is also the tendency that human beings have to find problems and aim to dissect and solve them. When we see the villain act in his or her vile way, we want to know why and we hope the protagonist wins in the end.
This all brings us to our list of the best movie villains of all time. From superhero flicks to psychological thrillers, these are the best depictions of evil the cinema has ever seen.
Oh, and a team of psychiatrists studied 400 movies to find the most realistic psychopath. Care to know which of these villains is considered to be the most realistic? You’ll just have to read on to find out…
40. Antonio Salieri from ‘Amadeus’
Amadeus is about the famous rivalry between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, who was played by F. Murray Abraham. Salieri truly resented Mozart for his hedonistic lifestyle as well as his talent, consumed by jealousy and becoming obsessed with Mozart’s downfall. Like any villain, Salieri concocted a devious scheme which would ultimately lead to unfortunate consequences for both composers.
Photo Credit: AMLF, The Saul Zaentz Company
Here is a quote from Salieri said in the movie: “ I will speak for you, Father. I speak for all mediocrities in the world. I am their champion. I am their patron saint .”