Let’s face it—sometimes the best part of a movie isn’t the hero’s journey or the big action set piece. It’s that one character who makes your blood boil. Whether it’s a manipulative bureaucrat, a spineless traitor, or a villain so smug you want to throw popcorn at the screen, these are the people we love to despise. From cartoon tyrants to actual monsters who lurk behind courteous smiles, here are 10 of the most despised film characters that fans can’t help but speak about, for all the wrong reasons.
10. Paris – Troy (2004)
Paris may be remembered as the man who sent a thousand ships off to war, but let’s also remember he did it by stealing another man’s wife and then hiding behind others when war was declared. Orlando Bloom’s version of the legendary Trojan prince made him into a whiny, self-absorbed coward. His selfish choices ultimately led his city to destruction, and quite frankly, no one is surprised.
9. Denethor – The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
In a world full of great kings, powerful wizards, and brave warriors, Denethor is the standout as the worst possible leader in a crisis. As the steward of Gondor, his fantasy favoritism and complete contempt for his son, Faramir, make him not only useless but dangerous. When Sauron was besieging the gates, Denethor was occupied having a soap opera meltdown with roasted tomatoes.
8. Commodus – Gladiator (2000)
One of the hiss-iest performances in cinema history belonged to Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus, the indulged emperor who murders his dad and duplicitously makes his way to the throne. Each time he appears on screen, it’s like taking a masterclass in entitledness, insecurity, and cruelty. When Maximus finally arrives, it’s not revenge—it’s payback for the viewer.
7. Percy Wetmore – The Green Mile (1999)
If you’ve watched The Green Mile, then you’ll be familiar with Percy as the perfect example of petty malevolence. With a badge and no sympathy, this prison guard enjoys cruelty and employs his political influence as cover to avoid being punished. His cruelties, cowardice, and condescending smile all make his ultimate downfall so rewarding.
6. Miranda Priestly – The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
She doesn’t carry a wand or swing a sword, but Miranda Priestly might be one of the coldest characters in modern cinema. As the fearsome editor-in-chief of a high-fashion magazine, she doesn’t yell—she slices with her words. Her impossible standards and icy demeanor make her terrifying, especially if you’ve ever worked for a demanding boss.
5. Mrs. Carmody – The Mist (2007)
Blast the creatures outside the supermarket shop—the real horror in The Mist is born internally, at the hands of Mrs. Carmody. Her fanatical religiosity and desire for control transform cowering survivors into a killer cult. Her growth from nervous citizen to dangerous fanatic is chilling—and chillingly realistic. When justice finally catches up with her, it’s a moment of mutual audience catharsis.
4. Yon-suk – Train to Busan (2016)
In a movie saturated with frightening zombies, the most horrifying character isn’t a zombie—it’s Yon-suk. This selfish executive leaves a trail of human victims in his wake in a desperate attempt at survival. Whether he’s shoving others towards danger or interfering with rescue missions, his spinelessness gets under your skin—and shows you don’t have to be a monster to do monstrous things.
3. Marla Grayson – I Care A Lot (2020)
Rosamund Pike’s Marla is not your standard villain—she’s smooth, sleek, and beyond the law. But don’t be fooled by her cutting-edge suits. As a court-appointed guardian who takes advantage of the elderly, she’s greed personified with a smile. Seeing her play games with the system and having no conscience about it is both maddening and captivating. You wish that karma were just around the next corner.
2. Scar – The Lion King (1994)
Even in animation, betrayal cuts deep. Scar’s smooth-talking villainy—culminating in fratricide and a Pride Lands apocalypse—makes him one of Disney’s most detested characters. He’s cunning, sarcastic, and unredeemable. And let’s be honest, we’ve all mimicked his “Long live the king” line with a shiver down our spines.
1. Dolores Umbridge – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
If Voldemort is evil incarnate, Umbridge is evil in kitten cardigans. Her passive-aggressive smile, authoritarianism, and love of magical torture make her one of the most hated characters in the Harry Potter universe—and possibly all of film. Stephen King once described her as scarier than Hannibal Lecter, and he’s not wrong. She’s evidence that the most frightening villains do not always appear to be such—rather, they cloak themselves behind rules, bureaucracy, and a disturbingly placid demeanor.
Certain characters crawl under our skin, and others make us yell at the TV. But all of them remind us that good storytelling requires a great villain—or at least someone we can hate. Whether they got theirs or crawled away, these characters left an impression. And let’s admit it: despising them was half the fun.