The five most menacing Netflix villains
Netflix loves a good big bad, and the fans can’t deny it; they do it too. While they may be governed by a thirst for power and a twisted moral code, the Netflix villains canon is far more compelling than its heroes can ever be.
Netflix villains are anything but typical. They come across as ordinary, hiding their extraordinary perils in their tailored coattails. They give off next-door neighbour vibes only to prey on your worst insecurities. They weaponise the notion of love to justify the destruction of whatever comes their way. They even burn a pile of millions of dollars in cash to keep their loved ones warm.
Most alarmingly, the villains feel more relatable than the heroes. Over the years, Netflix has given fans quite a menacing streak with monsters that crawl from alternate realities to zombies that regenerate by eating brains.
So, today, you’re in for a ranking showdown between the five most menacing Netflix villains who made evil the world order.
Ranking the five most menacing Netflix villains
5. Vecna from Stranger Things
Portrayed by Jamie Campbell Bower, Vecna is one of the most notoriously popular Netflix villains we all know and fear. Although the character’s introduction was done relatively recently in Stranger Things, in season four, his brief tenure so far has had no shortcomings in terrifying the audience, even with the lights on. Like Eleven, Vecna, AKA Henry Creel, is gifted with telekinesis, allowing him to move objects with his mind.
But his capabilities are a level above, since he can just as easily read people’s minds. Vecna is capable of sensing people’s guilt. He weaponises it to manipulate hallucinations before killing his victim. Moreover, with each kill count, One can open a new gate to the Upside Down. He is also connected to the Mind Flayer, making him the number one threat in the whole of Upside Down, far potent than Demogorgons, Demobats, Vines, etc. Not to mention his nasty skull-like face, which alone elevates the horror he continues to sprinkle.
4. Wilson Fisk/Kingpin from Daredevil
Supernatural powers are surely intriguing. But nothing beats a villain in human flesh. Often deemed as the most formidable Netflix villain of all time, Wilson Fisk from Daredevil, portrayed by Vincent D’Onofrio, deserves a place on this list. Skilled in martial art forms, including sumo and hapkido, Kingpin is a strategic antagonist. He may not have superpowers, but he can clearly resist them. While Daredevil excels with speed and agility, Wilson Fisk capitalises on his size to outmanoeuvre the Marvel hero.
He is no Vecna, but his manipulation power is clearly on par with the Stranger Things monster. He can also resist Kilgrave’s mind-controlling techniques. But the thing that makes him the most powerful is the lack of holdbacks because there’s nothing more dangerous than a villain who has nothing to lose.
3. Frank Underwood from House of Cards
Speaking of Netflix villains without mentioning Frank Underwood feels completely unfair. While he’s not an otherworldly menace, he’s surely a real-world threat. The House of Cards character, played by Kevin Spacey, poses a different kind of peril. It’s particularly political. He has this rare trait of turning situations to his favour, thanks to his unparalleled skills of manipulation, betrayal, deceit and deception. Frank is a Machiavellian character whose selfishness has no bounds. His cunning is calculative, and he doesn’t mind the blood on his hands, even if it means the civilians are collateral damage. Whether it’s blackmail or a cover-up, he doesn’t hold back.
But what elevates the danger is his self-consciousness. He religiously breaks the fourth wall to announce he’s up to no good, and that intimidating conscience eventually begins to creep on your skin. And his authority as a political leader amplifies the unease.
2. Berlin from Money Heist
There’s something bizarrely interesting about criminals with a brain. And Berlin? He has plenty. The Money Heist character, played by Pedro Alonso, is one of the most controversial Netflix villains of all time. Ingrained with misogyny, he’s blessed with the characteristics of a natural leader, albeit a bit impulsive. He is unpredictable, and so is his arc. Berlin was the second-in-command during the heists organised by the professor. Although he comes across as a sociopath, which he is, his observation skills can easily beat a Holmes.
Sure, he’s a sadist, and there’s no debate. Yet, his lack of empathy allows him to think on his toes, helping him manipulate hostages and even the public response. Even in the wake of the most confronting threats, he’s the one who keeps calm and thinks straight. And we know, there’s nothing like a villain who doesn’t hesitate.
1. Pablo Escobar from Narcos
There are villains who are received as villains. Then there is Pablo Escobar, who’s controversially seen as a Robin Hood-like figure to some. In the Netflix series Narcos, he is portrayed by Wagner Moura, who not only nails the shoes of Escobar, but also leaves a footprint so convincing it’s difficult to imagine another actor doing the character that level of justice. A family man at heart, Escobar is a multi-dimensional villain who uses drug terrorism to wage war against the government.
He’s never short on Plan Bs. He’s incredibly meticulous and calculative because, without that sort of brilliance, nobody can create a drug empire that they make movies and shows about. In fact, contrary to his reputation, he is incredibly calm and collected. Unlike villains who are motivated by individualistic greed, Netflix’s Escobar is a charitable man whose investments range from schools to sports. He definitely has bloodstained hands. But don’t expect him to be filled with Macbethian guilt. He’s equally warm and cold. He’s a villain with a safeguard. However, make no mistake, he doesn’t flinch.
