Top 10 Movie Characters We Will NEVER Forgive

“Star Wars” franchise (1977-)
This insidious Darth Sidious is renowned for being one of the most odious villains in all of “Star Wars.” As the emperor of the Galactic Empire, he was responsible for the destruction of the Republic. He was also the one to corrupt Anakin Skywalker, preying on his fears and turning him to the dark side. After Anakin suffers burns and becomes Darth Vader, Palpatine keeps tight control over his apprentice. Palpatine’s evil even lives on beyond his death by Vader, as he uses Snoke to lead the First Order against the New Republic. He even—somehow—returns from the grave himself, revealing to be nothing less than Rey’s own grandfather. Now that cuts deep. This villain is definitely beyond the pale.

“Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2” (2017)
Speaking of dark fathers, this Ego is not super. In this power-packed sequel, Peter Quill meets his father, Ego, after the latter saves him and the other Guardians from the Sovereign’s drones. It turns out Ego is a Celestial with god-like powers in manipulating matter, and he even teaches Peter how to control his own Celestial power. Alas, it’s all too good to be true. Much like a god, Ego has impregnated countless women and killed their offspring when they did not inherit his Celestial power. He even admits to giving Peter’s mother the brain tumor that killed her! To top it all off, he then drains Peter’s energy. Killing this egotistical leech has never been so satisfying.

“The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)
The evils of the prison system being the breeding ground for twisted personalities is nothing new. Just look at corrupt prison guard Percy Wetmore and his abuse in “The Green Mile.” But without a doubt the most corrupt of all prison wardens is Samuel Norton. Norton lent his prisoners as laborers for public works, receiving bribes, and used Andy to launder the money. But most egregiously of all, when Andy comes to him with evidence of his innocence, Norton responds by putting him in solitary confinement for months and rescinding all of Andy’s privileges. Norton proves his sadism and lack of empathy. It’s supremely satisfying to see Andy best him by escaping the hellhole that is prison life under Norton.

“Chinatown” (1974)
Corporate lords are truly the worst. P. I. Jake Gittes crosses paths with industrialist Noah Cross, whose daughter Evelyn is married to his ex-business partner Hollis. What follows is a complex scheme by the Water Department to dry the land and sell it cheaply. When Hollis finds out, Cross kills him. But that is not all to Cross’s depravity. Evelyn confesses to Gittes that Cross impregnated her when she was 15, and she gave birth to her sister-daughter Katherine. One of the most bone-chilling moments is when Evelyn tries to protect Katherine from Cross, only to end up dead with Cross dragging Katherine away. Now this is the true heart of darkness.

“The Matrix” (1999)
Choosing fantasy over real life has never been so morally compromised. Morpheus and his crew fight against the supercomputers that keep mankind enslaved and sedated in the Matrix. But one of the crew members, Cypher, meets with Agent Smith and desires to be plugged into the Matrix and return to his false but comfortable life there. And Cypher is not only content with betraying his friends. Once he exits the Matrix, he kills the rest of his crew members as they lie unconscious. Fortunately, Tank kills him just before he could do away with Neo and Trinity.

“Harry Potter” franchise (2001-11)
Speaking of rats, here is one of the most treacherous of all. When thinking about irredeemable “Harry Potter” characters, Dolores Umbridge certainly comes to mind. But without Peter Pettigrew’s treachery, this whole series would never have happened. When the Potters are targeted by Voldemort, Sirius persuades them to make their close friend Peter the secret-keeper instead of him, the obvious choice. Little did they know that Peter was a spy working for Voldemort, and he ratted the Potters’ secret location. Most outrageous of all, he escapes capture and returns to Voldemort, helping resurrect him into greater power.

“Precious” (2009)
One thing arguably worse than a friend’s betrayal is a family’s betrayal. Precious is a young Harlem teen struggling not just with poverty. Her mother Mary Lee not only allowed her husband to impregnate Precious, but also abused her herself. Why does she hate Precious so much? She was jealous of what she considered Precious’s seduction of her husband and held her responsible for his eventual abandonment. Precious finally gets the courage to stand up to her abuser, sever ties, and leave with her two children. Mary’s monstrosity going unpunished, however, makes Precious’s victory bittersweet.

“Pan's Labyrinth” (2006)
Just seeing this villain shave makes our skin crawl. Fascists are heinous and despicable, but one thing that makes this Franco-era fascist truly monstrous is his ruthlessness both in his job and his personal life. Vidal not only hunts down, tortures and kills anti-fascist rebels, but also those who betray even the slightest bit of sympathy for them. Vidal also neglects his pregnant wife Carmen’s growing illness, caring only that she lives long enough to bear him a son. Carmen dies in childbirth, and when her daughter Ofelia tries to flee with her newborn brother, Vidal shoots her dead. Luckily, the rebels get Vidal and kill him, rescuing his son. A very fit ending for this horrible monster.

“One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest” (1975)
We have seen people in positions of power abuse that power dishonorably. But a prison warden is one thing, a nurse is another. Nurse Ratched is head nurse of a mental health hospital, a tyrant over her patients. When free-spirited Randle McMurphy threatens her control over the patients, Ratched takes away the patients’ cigarettes and their card-playing privileges. Ratched sent the rebels to the disturbed ward. When Ratched catches Billy with a girlfriend, she confronts him and psychologically manipulates him by bringing up his mother. The McMurphy-Ratched war gets to a head when McMurphy tries to strangle Ratched—only to end up lobotomized. Ratched wins and it is terrifying.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Briony Tallis, “Atonement” (2007)
Because This 13-Year-Old’s Lies Destroyed Her Entire Family

Immortan Joe, “Mad Max” franchise (1979-)
For Being a Slave Master & Unconscionable Tyrant

Denethor, “Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003)
For His Greed, Selfishness, & Corruption as Gondor’s Steward

Captain Dudley Smith, “L.A. Confidential” (1997)
Because This Cop Murders His Way to the Top

Guy Woodhouse, “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968)
Because Your Husband Being a Satanist Is the Worst of Red Flags

“Gladiator” (2000)
You know a villain is truly unforgivable when he murders his own father just so that he can be Emperor of Rome. The ne’er-do-well son of the renowned Marcus Aurelius,Commodus kills his way to the top and threatens to do away with anyone who opposes him. He exiles Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, executing his wife and children. When Maximus returns as a gladiator, intent on vengeance, Commodus tries to sabotage him by pitting him against the undefeated Tigris and siccing tigers on him. Commodus also threatens his sister and insists she give him an heir. Yuck. Commodus is finally killed by Maximus, which is more than a relief. It’s a celebration. It’s a shame Maximus had to lose his life, though.

Which other villainous characters will you never forgive and never forget? Let us know in the comments down below!