Top 10 Movie Characters You Didn't Realize Are Evil

“Revenge of the Nerds” (1984)
The raunchy comedy “Revenge of the Nerds” may be silly and clichéd, but audiences love it. It follows a group of oddball college students who are repeatedly humiliated by athletic frat members before exacting their revenge. Yes, the jocks are terrible and have us initially rooting for the underdogs. But do the nerds take their revenge too far? Absolutely! Becoming peeping toms and concealing one’s identity to become intimate with a foe’s unaware girlfriend, among other things? Talk about pushing the boundaries of acceptable behavior. The film’s comedic tone may downplay these depraved actions, but a closer look reveals who the true bad guys are.

“The French Connection” (1971)
Popeye, from director William Friedkin’s gritty 1971 classic, is a tough detective who enforces his own brand of justice through brutal means. Yet he’s somehow the film’s compelling hero. Based on Robin Moore’s book, “The French Connection” follows two hardcore New York cops determined to bust a major drug operation. Popeye, however, is not shy about using excessive force and offensive language. He’s basically the embodiment of evil. In such a harsh landscape, it may be difficult to see him for what he truly is at first. But in truth, he’s a bad detective, as terrible as the criminals he pursues. Though Gene Hackman brings the charisma, his charming portrayal can no longer distract us from the character’s awful nature.

“Atonement” (2007)
Stunning and soul-crushing, “Atonement” is fraught with as many misinterpretations as the beloved novel it adapts. At the heart of this doomed romance are lovers whose lives are shattered by the precocious Briony’s lie. Since the story is mainly told from her perspective, it’s no surprise we sympathize with her, especially as she seems to suffer plenty. Some may argue that she was only thirteen and didn’t understand the consequences of her actions. But her identifying Robbie as a predator has consequences that cannot be undone. What’s more, she is an intelligent child infatuated with him. Jealousy likely drives her calculated betrayal. Though portrayed convincingly, even her guilt is arguably a ruse – her atonement only exists in her manuscript. She had us fooled all along.

“Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (1999)
The legendary Obi-Wan Kenobi’s master is often seen as a noble character with deep commitment to the Force. But could there be a dark side to this unconventional Jedi? George Lucas’ opening chapter to an epic saga skillfully sets the stage for characters we’ve come to love. More importantly, it lays the foundation for Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into Darth Vader. His fall into evil can be traced to Qui-Gon, who took a young Anakin from his mother, leaving her to die alone, enslaved. This painful separation caused emotional turmoil, ultimately helping Anakin’s descent to the dark side. While Qui-Gon may not be an outright villain, he’s certainly not blameless.

“Ferris Bueller's Day Off” (1986)
John Hughes’ cinematic gem is loaded with memorable quotes, iconic characters and a hilarious escapade through Chicago. Ferris, the mastermind behind this adventure, is a rebellious teenager with an undeniable charm. How could this lovable rogue ever do wrong? After all, doesn’t he stand as the very symbol of youthful freedom and fun? Sure, Ferris may not have malicious intentions, but he lies and manipulates others to get what he wants. His family and Dean of Students Ed Rooney aren’t the only ones who suffer from his antics. Indeed, even his best friend Cameron is a victim of his machinations. Let’s face it, there’s a thin line between Ferris being an adorable, free-spirited teenager and an unfeeling, pathological liar.

“Dune: Part Two” (2024)
“Dune” is a sensational adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel, celebrated as a monumental achievement in science fiction. Protagonist Paul Atreides is intriguing, but the sequel imbues him with more complexity. What has become of our hero? Here, we see Paul team up with Chani and the Fremen to avenge his family. However, the ending leaves us unsure of what to think of him. While he was the people’s savior in the first movie, he seems to align more closely with Herbert’s original vision in “Dune: Part Two.” Despite knowing the horrific holy war his rise to power will lead to, Paul embraces that destiny, becoming the very thing he fought against. Once god-like, he may now be a monster.

“Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993)
“Mrs. Doubtfire” tells the heartwarming story of a divorced dad learning responsibility after losing custody of his kids. Daniel is hilarious and likable, but he arguably goes too far to win back his family. He inserts himself into their lives, manipulates them, and tries to sabotage his ex Miranda’s relationship with Stu as he pretends to be the titular character. Let’s not forget Stu choking at the restaurant is basically his fault. Aren’t these clear signs that he’s evil? In any other genre, Daniel Hillard would clearly be seen as a mean-spirited man. But in comedy, we find humor in his outrageous behaviors. Perhaps Robin Williams’ brilliant performance blinds us to Daniel’s more villainous traits, but that doesn’t excuse them.

“Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (1971)
Based on Roald Dahl’s children’s book, this whimsical classic follows Charlie, who wins a golden ticket to visit Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. While Grandpa Joe might raise eyebrows, it’s Willy who’s truly villainous. He wants to find his heir – and doesn’t care who gets harmed in the process. He also claims he saved the Oompa-Loompas, but they sure don’t seem happy. Beyond exploiting them, he also appears to have purposely set these kids up for failure. The children who mysteriously vanish certainly didn’t deserve such harsh outcomes for not complying with Wonka’s twisted morality! And what about the creepy Mr. Slugworth, who is ultimately revealed to work for him? Wonka is more than just an eccentric chocolatier – he’s something of an evil genius.

“Jurassic Park” (1993)
A charismatic and endearing grandfather, this central character is hardly what many would describe as a villain. While the 1993 movie portrays Hammond as sympathetic, he’s depicted in a more sinister light in Michael Crichton’s novel. “Jurassic Park” follows a group visiting a dinosaur-themed park only to discover its dangers. For playing God with nature, Hammond is largely responsible for the mishaps that occur. Even Nedry is driven to his actions because he was underpaid by Hammond. John may merely seem flawed, but prioritizing profit over human lives makes him as cold as his literary counterpart. He’s simply better at hiding his dubious nature in the film.

“The Wizard of Oz” (1939)
“The Wizard of Oz” is regarded as a spectacular classic, despite not being a huge money maker upon release. The iconic villain is the Wicked Witch of the West, who relentlessly pursues Dorothy. It’s Glinda, the good witch, who helps our protagonist. But what if we told you Glinda was a subtle villain and Dorothy was a pawn in her scheme? By eliminating other witches, Glinda knew she’d become the most powerful one in Oz, and Dorothy was her unsuspecting ally. Doesn’t that make her manipulative and self-serving? How about not initially telling the heroine that the ruby slippers are her ticket home? Or making her the Wicked Witch’s target by giving them to her in the first place? That sounds like outright, calculated wickedness.

Which revelation about these characters’ true nature surprised you the most? Let us know in the comment section.