Few things in entertainment matter quite as much as having a good villain. No matter how charming or cool a show or movie’s hero is, they have to have an equally powerful baddie to face off against, or it all falls apart. Not only that, but a truly terrific villain can frequently enough make something mediocre worth watching or elevate something good to being great. (Just look at Raul Julia in 1994’s “Street Fighter” if you really want to see a villain performance entirely save a terrible movie.)
2025 was a year of extremes that saw a whole bunch of real-life villains making things tougher on everyone; so, their fictional counterparts were that much more crucial. From the most deliciously manipulative characters in escapist dramas to the science fiction stand-ins for real-world monsters,television and streaming in 2025 delivered some truly excellent baddies. Here’s a ranking of the five best villains of the year, judged by how effectively they embodied villainy.
5.margo Banks - The Hunting Wives
The Netflix drama “The Hunting Wives” offered a deliciously escapist experience in 2025. The series follows Sophie O’Neil (Brittany Snow) as she navigates the culture shock of moving from Massachusetts to suburban Texas. She soon finds herself falling for Margo Banks (Malin Åkerman), the wife of her husband’s boss – a socialite who is a master manipulator, treating everyone as pawns in her games. Margo’s willingness to use and discard peopel for her own amusement makes for compelling, if unsettling, viewing.
What sets Margo apart is her unapologetic enjoyment of being a villain, a trait often reserved for male characters. Åkerman’s performance was among the best of 2025, perfectly capturing Margo’s blend of charm and manipulation. While she’s undeniably toxic, her allure makes watching Sophie’s attempts to navigate this relationship in season 2 all the more captivating. (Danielle Ryan)
4. Cipher - Gen V
While compelling characters abound, the “The Boys” spin-off “Gen V” introduced a particularly chilling manipulator: Cipher (Hamish linklater). The series follows superpowered students at Godolkin University,groomed to become weapons for Vought Corporation. When marie (whose powers are among the most powerful in the universe) begins to resist, vought sends in Cipher, whose ability to control others’ bodies makes him a terrifying adversary. He forces students to fight each other, even turning them against themselves, and his true evil runs even deeper.
Linklater’s performance is phenomenal. He delivers menace with a quiet, unsettling demeanor, clearly relishing his role as a manipulator. His condescending remarks to the students are particularly brutal. He embodies a truly nasty villain, standing out even in a franchise known for its complex antagonists like Homelander (Antony Starr) and Stan Edgar (Giancarlo esposito). (Danielle Ryan)
3. Rick flag,Sr. – Peacemaker
Sometimes, heroes fall from grace, and Rick Flag, Sr. (Frank Grillo) in the DC Universe is a prime example. Initially presented as a champion of justice, haunted by the death of his son, Colonel Rick Flag, Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) at the hands of Peacemaker (John Cena), Flag’s grief and witnessing the destruction caused by Lex Luthor led him down a dark path. By season 2 of “Peacemaker,” he’s consumed by revenge, enacting policies with devastating consequences for those with superpowers, ultimately becoming a full-fledged villain, driven by revenge and paranoia.
Flag’s descent into villainy, culminating in his alliance with Luthor, is particularly resonant in a world grappling with real-world extremism. He represents the dangers of unchecked power and the seductive pull of vengeance. His future role in the upcoming ”Man of Tomorrow” film promises further exploration of this complex character. (Danielle Ryan)
2. Jamie Miller – Adolescence
The most unsettling villains are frequently enough those who feel disturbingly real, and Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) in Netflix’s “Adolescence” is a chilling example. Jamie, a 14-year-old who commits a horrific act of violence, is portrayed with a disturbing nuance that forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths. The series, filmed in a unique single-shot style, follows the inquiry into his crime and the psychological unraveling of both Jamie and those around him. He oscillates between vulnerability and chilling detachment, displaying a complete disregard for the consequences of his actions.
Cooper’s performance is extraordinary, making Jamie a disturbingly relatable figure. The show forces us to confront the factors that can lead a young person down a dark path, and the influence of toxic ideologies. “Adolescence” is a powerful and unsettling exploration of the darkest corners of the human psyche. (Danielle Ryan)
1. Dedra Meero and the Empire - Andor
“Andor” stood out in 2025 for its nuanced portrayal of evil. Rather of relying on the typical tropes of galactic domination, the series focused on the bureaucratic machinery of the Empire, and Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) embodies this perfectly. She isn’t a flamboyant Sith Lord,but a dedicated ISB officer,climbing the ranks through ambition and a chillingly pragmatic worldview. She doesn’t question the morality of the Empire; she sees order in its control, and suffering as an acceptable cost.
Season 2 of “andor” further explored Dedra’s character, revealing her vulnerabilities and motivations, but never diminishing her ruthlessness. Gough’s performance is captivating, conveying Dedra’s cold efficiency and unwavering loyalty. as a key figure in the Ghorman genocide she exemplifies the banality of evil. Ultimately, Dedra’s downfall serves as a reminder that even the most devoted servants of a tyrannical regime are vulnerable to mistakes, and that such systems will eventually turn on their own. (Devin Meenan)
