Top 10 Most Terrifying Movie Sociopaths
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VOICE OVER: Patrick Mealey
WRITTEN BY: Holly Hoyt
Thankfully these aren't real people! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most frightening, conniving, and heartless sociopaths ever to appear on screen. Spoilers ahead. Our countdown includes characters from movies “There Will Be Blood”, “A Clockwork Orange”, “Nightcrawler” and more!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most frightening, conniving, and heartless sociopaths ever to appear on screen. Spoilers ahead. Do you agree with our list? Join the discussion in the comments!
#10: Tom Ripley
“The Talented Mr. Ripley” (1999)
Tom Ripley is an empty shell of a person. The central figure of the 1999 film, who originally appeared in Patricia Highsmith’s novels, is an expert impersonator and liar. He has no problem carrying on a pretend identity in order to preserve a lavish lifestyle that’s not even his, nor does he mind offing anyone who threatens to blow his cover. That said, Matt Damon’s performance makes it hard for us to think of Ripley as an unfeeling monster. It’s hinted that he’s struggled with insecurity, and his longing to be among the elite is actually pretty relatable. No matter how you shake it, though, Mr. Ripley’s most prevalent “talent” is his ability to deceive.
#9: Mrs. Mott [aka Peyton Flanders]
“The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” (1992)
This 1992 thriller begins with Mrs. Mott’s life falling apart. After losing her husband, her money, and her chance to be a mother all at once, she becomes hellbent on getting revenge against the woman she believes caused it all. She becomes a nanny for protagonist Claire and convinces the whole family she’s trustworthy. But when strange things start happening to the couple, their two children, and several others, Mrs. Mott’s insidiousness is brought to light. Maybe Mrs. Mott’s plight makes you feel sorry for her, but as her actions become more and more sinister, it’s hard to be sympathetic at all.
#8: Lou Bloom
“Nightcrawler” (2014)
Dan Gilroy’s 2014 directorial debut presents a scathing critique of modern media, specifically commenting on the industry’s lack of humanity. We watch small-time criminal Lou Bloom, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, grow into a successful freelance journalist by exploiting – and sometimes even causing – the most gruesome crime scenes possible. Lou will stop at nothing to get the best footage, even if that means cheating, deceiving, and threatening his way to the top. He also displays an inflated sense of self-worth, despite the fact that most people would call his behavior reprehensible. Bloom’s character is defined by a lack of compassion, serving to illustrate the film’s argument: the drive for profit and fame can bring out the very worst traits in the very worst people.
#7: Alex Forrest
“Fatal Attraction” (1987)
Glenn Close’s character in this 1987 classic is proof that not everyone takes rejection well. After having a one-night stand with a married man, Alex Forrest begins stalking him and eventually his wife and young daughter, as well. The harassment grows steadily worse until she becomes a threat to their safety. Close does an amazing job of bringing life to Alex and her serious mental health problems yet still drawing forth audience sympathy. While her increasingly creepy behavior and tendency to play the victim make it difficult to root for her, it’s only natural to feel a little sorry for this lonely woman. Just don’t let her near your pet rabbit.
#6: Alex DeLarge
“A Clockwork Orange” (1971)
The antihero of Stanley Kubrick’s 1971 classic is heartlessness personified. A juvenile delinquent in a dystopian society, Alex loves the suffering of others more than anything else. He constantly strives to uphold his status as the leader of his gang by committing the most heinous crimes imaginable. You might even say these sadistic acts give Alex a twisted way of defining himself. Even more disturbing, he views “ultra-violence” as the ultimate fun. The experiment the authorities perform on him – which causes him to develop a physical aversion to violence and sex – nearly results in his undoing. But by film’s end, his sociopathic identity is restored.
#5: Captain Vidal
“Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006)
The bad guy in this 2006 dark fantasy flick is proof that the real world is plenty scary on its own. In Francoist Spain, main character Ofelia meets her new stepfather for the first time and senses his malevolence right away. It turns out that Captain Vidal has been tasked with hunting down n rebels, a duty he carries out extra-passionately and with zero remorse. And that’s not to mention the uncaring way he treats his wife and stepdaughter, which only further demonstrates his obsession with control. The world of Vidal’s mind is much darker than any we can dream up, one where the lives of the innocent have no value if they’re in your way.
#4: Amy Dunne
“Gone Girl” (2014)
Amy may aim to be “cool,” but her actions are anything but. Obsessed with appearing perfect, Amy meticulously orchestrates a series of events, faking her own disappearance and framing her husband for her murder. Throughout the story, she seamlessly switches between the “charming wife” and “calculating killer” roles – all while maintaining a façade of innocence. People aren’t people to Amy; they’re more like tools, objects to be used as pawns in her devious plan. Her willingness to cause harm for personal gain shows a disregard for the wellbeing of others, even those who (for some reason) love her.
#3: Daniel Plainview
“There Will Be Blood” (2007)
Only the legendary Daniel Day-Lewis could have mastered a character as soulless as Plainview. In Paul Thomas Anderson’s acclaimed 2007 film, Plainview is driven by unbridled ambition and ruthlessness. Like so many others on this list, he appears to those around him as a decent man; however, behind their backs, he’s constantly exploiting and using people – even his adopted son – for financial gain. Plainview’s ability to charm and deceive while concealing his dark nature leaves audiences disturbed… not to mention in awe of another impeccable Day-Lewis performance. Watch the infamous “I drink your milkshake” exchange at the end, and you’ll see why Plainview is counted among the most iconic movie sociopaths.
#2: Nurse Ratched
“One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest” (1975)
Nurse Ratched is arguably the nastiest medical professional in the history of fiction. Even those who haven’t seen the 1975 movie, read the 1962 novel, or watched the prequel series on Netflix are familiar with this cold-hearted caregiver. Ratched's icy demeanor and authoritarian rule create an oppressive atmosphere, in which patients are stripped of their dignity and autonomy. You could argue that a corrupt healthcare system made her what she is, but watch her put her patients through hell and you’ll probably say it’s more of a “her” issue. As she attempts to cultivate her twisted definition of “order,” Ratched doles out a wide range of punishments - from withholding her patients’ cigarettes to subjecting them to physical torture. Talk about abuse of power!
#1: Commodus
“Gladiator” (2000)
At the top of our list is Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of a real-life Roman dictator. While it might be said that society held different ethical standards back then, Commodus’ cruelty seems more innate than a product of the times. Throughout the movie, we see him take out anyone who stands in his way, be it man, woman, child, or even his own father. On top of that, he’s shown to take great joy in watching gladiators battle to the death and be torn apart by tigers. We do get a few hints that he has the ability to form genuine relationships, such as with his sister Lucilla. However, even she winds up victimized by him by the end. Commodus: a sociopath of epic proportions.
