A good villain can make an enjoyable movie even better. They invest the viewers in rooting for their downfall, and once that moment comes, it’s an enjoyable experience for the moviegoer.
When it comes to iconic movie villains, women are at the forefront of the discussion. Whether it’s an iconic femme fatale role or a strong performance by the actress, these female villains stole the show.
The Wizard of Oz
Before Wicked, there was the original Wicked Witch of the West: Margaret Hamilton.
Hamilton gives everything she has to the role, arguably becoming the classic film’s most iconic character. Her evil laugh, iconic lines (“Wanna play ball, Scarecrow?”), and commanding screen presence make her one of the film’s most intimidating villains.
The Manchurian Candidate
Angela Lansbury’s Mrs. Eleanos Iselin rightfully won her a Golden Globe in 1963 and should have won her the Oscar over The Miracle Worker‘s Patty Duke.
Lansbury’s performance is determined, manipulative, and cunning, playing the part perfectly, leaning into the film’s thematic messaging during the height of the Cold War.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Louise Fletcher’s Nurse Ratched is the definition of intimidating. She’s the perfect foil for Jack Nicholson’s Randle McMurphy, commanding control of her ward in a way that strikes fear into the hearts of her patients.
Fletcher would win the Academy Award for Best Actress thanks to her performance.
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Double Indemnity
Barbara Stanwick’s Phyllis Dietrichson is the perfect definition of a femme fatale: Find a target, seduce him for her own personal gain, keep him wrapped around your finger, and then get what’s coming to her in the movie’s final moments.
Double Indemnity isn’t the first film to feature a classic female villain, but Stanwick still delivers an iconic performance.
Fatal Attraction
While Barbara Stanwick defined the classic femme fatale, Glenn Close helped reimagine it for modern audiences.
Close’s performance is iconic because she easily loses herself in her role. To call Alex Forrest crazy is, well, putting it lightly, and Close successfully convinces the audience that her character will do whatever it takes to win over Michael Douglas’ Dan Gallagher.
Basic Instinct
I guess there’s something about the late ’80s and early ’90s Michael Douglass movies.
Sharon Stone’s Catherine Tramell combines the iconic performance we’d expect with the perfect look of an iconic female villain. Best of all, unlike others we’ve already discussed, Tramell comes on top. Her ability to succeed, whether others have failed, makes her even more iconic.
Gone Girl
Speaking of female villains coming out on top, you can’t have that discussion without Amy Dunne.
From the mid-movie reveal that Amy is still alive, having framed her husband Nick for her murder, to the final moments when she realizes the best way to get revenge for his infidelity is to trap him in marriage, Rosamund Pike’s performance is nothing short of captivating. She’s also one of the few villains in cinematic history to actually display signs of intelligence, knowing how to stay one step ahead of everyone else.
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle
It’s another early 90s classic, but it’s without Michael Douglass this time. He’s finally safe!
Rebecca De Mornay’s Mrs. Mott is a villain with a legitimate motive. Sure, her husband is a monster, but the stress resulted in the loss of her baby and any potential future children.
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle is a forgotten classic thanks to the strength of De Mornay’s performance. You can’t help but feel a little sorry for her, even if she’s the villain and rightfully gets what’s coming to her.
Misery
As great of a writer as Stephen King is, not everyone is able to successfully adapt his stories to the big screen. However, when you have Kathy Bates giving the performance of a lifetime, it becomes that much easier.
Bates is the living embodiment of Annie Wilkes. Nobody will be able to play the character on the back of her iconic performance.
M3gan
Okay, hear me out. The best way to make a movie about an evil android designed for children is for the android to actually feel threatening.
When it comes to M3gan, consider that mission accomplished.
Portrayed by Amie Donald and voiced by Jenna Davis, their performances help assert M3gan as one of modern horror’s iconic villains. Allowing M3gan to lean into a more absurd style makes for a stronger character.
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