Our Favorite Movie Villains Of 2024

Villains might not always be focused on as much as the heroes in the movie world, but they’re often just as important. A compelling villain can have a significant impact on a film, and if they are well-written and performed, they have the potential to be just as memorable as any other character as the likes of Dune: Part Two, Wicked, and Gladiator 2 proved this year.

2024 has seen a wide range of villains, not all of whom have been entertaining. However, there have been just as many gripping, intense, and, at times, terrifying villains, which have helped captivate audiences worldwide.

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Hugh Grant Wowed People As Mr. Reed

For a long time, audiences had a perceived expectation of what they would get from a Hugh Grant movie. He was typically charming and loveable and would often be found in a romantic comedy. But in recent years, he’s flipped the script on the type of roles he’s willing to take on, and that led him to play Mr. Reed in the eerie Heretic in 2024. His performance is sinister and creepy, giving moviegoers a different glimpse at what he’s capable of as an actor.

He was the true star of the movie and blew critics and fans away with the performance he provided. His character holds Mormon missionaries hostage as he opts to question their faith and the decisions that they make, becoming progressively more intense and creepy as the film goes on. Even though he was the villain of this story, it was impossible not to be compelled by everything Mr. Reed did, with even his most minor facial expressions making a big impact.

Anxiety Proved That Villains Can Be Complex In Inside Out 2

Inside Out 2 was a breathtaking movie and will certainly go down as one of the strongest in 2024. The film performed exceptionally at the box office, and a big reason for that was because of the complex emotions that were being considered and discussed, as it meant that adults could be just as captivated by the plot and the characters as the target audience of younger children. Anxiety was the best example of this, as the character was something that seemed to be targeted at adults as much as anyone else.

She wasn’t a classic villain in the sense that most Pixar villains are because she was such a layered character. Anxiety was simply trying to help Riley as her decision to take complete control of her life was done with the best intentions. However, as things ramped up, she began devastatingly impacting Riley’s decision-making, creating a tornado of problems. However, she was never positioned as a horrible character; instead, she needed help from others to combat the negative feelings she could cause Riley to have. She provided one of the most powerful lessons in the history of animated films, and that’s down to the fascinating writing.

Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen Was Gripping In Dune: Part Two

The Dune franchise is filled with memorable characters that are over-the-top in their aesthetic and personality, and Dune: Part Two had plenty of those. Austin Butler’s portrayal of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen managed to stand out despite having limited screen time within the movie itself. However, that’s a testament to Butler’s performance throughout the film, with his passion and charisma shining through the sadistic villain.

Harkonnen is a dastardly character who is unsettlingly evil. His decisions made with a sinister smile create an even scarier situation. The performance and intentions of the character came together beautifully in Dune: Part Two, ensuring that audiences would be hooked throughout the entire film in anticipation of what he’d do next.

Art The Clown Is Becoming An Iconic Horror Character After Terrifier 3

It’s difficult to become an iconic horror character in the modern world of cinema as the genre continuously looks to what has been done in the past by reviving the likes of Michael Myers. However, after three movies, Art the Clown has managed to break through that barrier and become a staple of the horror genre to the point where he’s a recognizable character in the eyes of normal moviegoers who might not even be interested in horror.

The Terrifier franchise is gore at its finest, and while that’s not everyone’s taste, the character of Art the Clown draws people in. He’s disturbing, funny, and often completely over-the-top in everything he does, making him someone that audiences want to watch. Terrifier 3 performed brilliantly and wowed audiences with its violence and unique kills. However, it was Art the Clown that everyone was talking about, and that’s because the character was so interesting and different. He might be putting fear into everyone who watches, but Art the Clown was compelling, too in Terrifier 3.