Brought to you by Amazon Prime Video.
This is no place for heroes.
We’ve been brought up to cheer on the hero but sometimes it’s the villains, anti-heroes and bad guys that really grab our attention. It’s that touch of darkness that makes them more interesting than the people we’re supposed to root for.
That got us thinking about the big bads from TV and movies that we love to hate. So we took a look through the Amazon Prime Video collection and picked out some of the most memorable villains from their impressive selection of series and films.
1. Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem)
Film: No Country for Old Men
When someone uses a steer-killing machine as his weapon of choice, you know that something’s wrong with his wiring. Chigurh is a remorseless killer who does a pretty bad impression of a human being, right down to the weird haircut, listless expression and terrifying smile. Yet the unsettling intensity he brings to the film is undeniable, especially when he makes his prospective victims decide their fate by a coin flip.
Quote: “You need to call it. I can’t call it for you. It wouldn’t be fair.”
2. Clay Morrow (Ron Perlman)
TV show: Sons of Anarchy
Morrow walks a fine line between leading the Sons of Anarchy and gradually plotting the demise of anyone in the gang who opposes him. It’s safe to say that this ageing silverback is not the sentimental type. Sometimes you think he really cares but then you watch him turn on his closest ally without skipping a beat. It’s hard not to be fascinated by his motivations and to wonder who he really is.
Quote: “Two in the back of the head. Quick and painless.”
3. Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis)
Film: There will be Blood
Plainview is like a human version of snake oil. He’s all things to all men when he wants something but he’s just as likely to poison you if you take him at face value. He’s a driven man who clearly has a fire raging inside him. It’s hard to know if that fire is ambition, fear or a big dollop of sociopathy but anyone who gets close ends up getting burned. What we do know is that he won’t waste a moment stepping over your lifeless body if you get between him and his ambitions.
Quote: “I told you I would eat you!”
The Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman)
Film: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
The highlight of this big budget adaptation is the late great Alan Rickman’s scene-stealing turn as the Sheriff of Nottingham. Rickman is clearly enjoying himself and it shows. He covers every expression from eye-rolling exasperation to deadpan disinterest as he gives one of the most effortlessly brilliant baddie performances of all time.
Quote: “That’s it then. Cancel the kitchen scraps for lepers and orphans, no more merciful beheadings, and call off Christmas.”
Mr Robot (Christian Slater)
TV Show: Mr Robot
Mr Robot is a fascinating character. Is he mad, bad or just dangerous to know? It often seems like a combination of all three. Just when you think you’re getting a handle on him, he’ll do something that leaves you utterly surprised. Christian Slater invests the character with a kind of restrained anger that constantly keeps you on edge but you can’t help but hang on his every word.
Quote: “No rest for the wicked.”
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Brought to you by Amazon Prime Video.
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