Top 10 Times Movie Villains Lost Because of Their Big Mouths
#10: Nathan Jessup Just Testifies Too Much
“A Few Good Men” (1992)
Lieutenant Kaffee spends the film trying to get to the bottom of why a Marine named William Santiago lost his life while serving at Guantanamo Bay. His investigation eventually leads him to question the base commander Colonel Jessup in a courtroom. But after Kaffee gets a little carried away, the judge says that Jessup doesn't have to answer any more questions. However, the colonel keeps talking. After giving an intimidating monologue, Kaffe gets Jessup to reveal the truth: the colonel’s orders led to Santiago’s demise. The incredible acting and dialogue in this scene nearly make us forget that Jessup might’ve gotten away with a crime if he just pleaded the 5th in court.
#9: Count Tyrone Rugen Ruins His Victory
“The Princess Bride” (1987)
When Inigo Montoya arrives at the castle, he doesn’t plan to show the cruel Count Rugen any mercy. The villain took the life of Inigo’s father. Once Count Rugen faces the man he orphaned, he quickly runs. This cowardly move allows him to strategically hide and severely wound Inigo. But instead of finishing the swordsman off, Rugen decides it would be a good time to gloat. His sadistic speech goes on so long that Inigo has enough time to recover and deal a fatal blow. If Rugen had cut the conversation short and wounded his foe again, he might have triumphed. Unfortunately for him, he couldn’t talk Inigo out of getting revenge.
#8: The Operative’s Oratory Sin
“Serenity” (2006)
The Operative is an extremely efficient and well-spoken assassin. While he’s good with a sword, his most useful technique allows him to paralyze someone by hitting their back in a specific spot. But he may have been too reliant on that move. When the Operative tries to stop Captain Mal Reynolds from releasing information to the public, the two come to blows. The fight is even for a while. As soon as the Operative gets an opening, he uses the paralyzing technique on Mal. Thinking he’s already won, he monologues so much that he fails to notice his opponent can still move. This chatty error gives Mal the chance to turn the fight around and give the Operative a taste of his own medicine.
#7: Clove Can’t Stop Chatting
“The Hunger Games” (2012)
There's absolutely no time for small talk when you’re thrown into a violent battle royale that can only have one winner. Unless you’re Clove, apparently. During “The Hunger Games,” she manages to ambush fan-favorite contestant Katniss. After a short struggle, Clove is able to hold Katniss at knifepoint. Although Clove could’ve put the girl on fire out instantly, she decides to brag about the time she helped end the life of a little girl named Rue. Unbeknownst to anyone, Rue’s ally Thresh was nearby and a little unhappy to hear this story. He quickly and single-handedly dispatches Clove for her crimes. She ultimately had herself to blame for losing this violent game.
#6: Mayor Bellwether Blabs About Her Plan
“Zootopia” (2016)
A sheep named Dawn Bellwether had one of the most airtight evil plans in Disney history. After using a special serum to turn certain predator animals in Zootopia into savage beasts, she framed the lion mayor and assumed his position. Once in power, Bellwether would be free to continue the conspiracy for her benefit. But what ruined this sinister plot? Bellwether’s big mouth. Near the end of the film, she corners a rabbit officer named Judy Hopps and her fox friend Nick. After Bellwether becomes convinced Nick went savage, she details her evil plan. Unfortunately for the sheep, Judy records every step of the heinous plot. Bellwether can only baa helplessly as her evil plan is unraveled by her own words.
#5: Aleera’s Arrogant Speeches
“Van Helsing” (2004)
While Aleera’s vampiric abilities gave her plenty of advantages in battle, she had one fatal flaw. She liked playing with her food too much. Aleera missed several opportunities to feast on her opponents because she wanted to tease them a little bit more. This comes back to bite her when she fights Anna one-on-one. When Aleera has her prey seemingly cornered with nowhere to go, she decides to taunt her opponent one last time. This gave Anna just enough time to grab a stake from her ally Carl and end the vampire once and for all. We would make fun of Aleera more, but Anna honestly said it best.
#4: Ronan Runs His Mouth
“Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014)
We knew two things about Ronan the Accuser right away. He loves dramatic speeches and he really, really, really wants to destroy the planet Xandar. After Ronan acquires the power stone, he gains the ability to accomplish his destructive dream. All he has to do is touch his hammer to the planet to win. But before Ronan can accomplish this incredibly simple and easy task, he feels the need to give a speech. His long monologue gave Star-Lord enough time to come up with a distraction that Drax and Rocket used to blow up the hammer. At least Ronan did one thing right that day. He made the Guardians of the Galaxy nickname sound cool.
#3: Scar’s Silver Tongue Backfires
“The Lion King” (1994)
Few villains have accomplished as much as Scar has. He orchestrated his brother King Mufasa's demise, forced Prince Simba into hiding, and became king of the Pride Lands. The one thing he couldn't do was keep his mouth shut. When Simba returns to the Pride Lands to reclaim the throne, Scar turns the pride against the prince. But before landing a fatal blow, the villain decided to confess the truth about how his brother met his end. The confession energizes Simba enough to fight back and get the entire pride on his side again. And when Scar tries to deflect all the blame to the hyenas, the vicious animals make him pay. Guess that’s what the “Lyin’” king deserves! We’re so sorry for that pun.
#2: Ego Exposes His Evil Deeds
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (2017)
Although Ego could shape an entire planet to his will, he wanted to expand his control throughout the universe. He could only achieve this goal by teaming up with somebody who could handle a Celestial amount of power. Once Ego discovers his long-lost son Peter Quill was up for it, the two connected. They were all set to kick off the expansion until Ego dropped a huge bomb. He gave Peter's mother the tumor that claimed her life. An enraged Peter immediately attacked his dad and teamed up with his friends to take the planet down. We don't know how many centuries Ego was planning his expansion, but we know for certain that his schemes ended with a very short conversation.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Buddy Pine [aka Syndrome], “The Incredibles” (2004)
He Was Beaten While He Was Monologuing
Alec Trevelyan, “Goldeneye” (1995)
He Could’ve Taken 007 Down Without a Word
Valentine, “Kingsman: The Secret Service” (2014)
He Thought the Kingsmen Wouldn’t Hear His Master Plan
Top Dollar, “The Crow” (1994)
His Long Speech Gave the Crow a Huge Opening
Hugo Drax, “Moonraker” (1979)
He Talked Himself Right Into 007’s Trap
#1: Elam Expires Because of Exposition
“The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” (1966)
Our top villain could give a detailed lecture on how not to confront your nemesis. If he had survived of course. The antagonistic bounty hunter Elam walked away from a battle with a bandit named Tuco with one less arm. So the villain was ecstatic to catch Tuco unaware in a bathtub. But rather than taking his revenge right away, Elam decided to savor the moment by gloating and boasting. Tuco took the opportunity to reach for a hidden bathtub gun and take the bounty hunter out. Elam didn’t even have enough time to regret his talkative choice. The last thing Tuco says to his enemy are words every villain should live by.