Some of the best villains in movie and TV history are just irredeemably evil. From Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight, to Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds, many villains have no redeeming qualities, or chance at redemption. However, it is also often the case that the most compelling villains aren’t those who are purely evil, but possess enough character depth and emotional nuance to make them worthy of a redemption arc.
Unfortunately, there are countless examples of villains in movies and TV who were never given the redemption arc they so desperately deserved. Sometimes, this may be due to narrative constraints, or an untimely death in the story. These villains are often some of the most tragic, because it is clear to audiences that they deserve redemption, but never got the chance to atone for their villainous deeds.
10 New Goblin
Spider-Man 3 (2007) – Played By James Franco
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Harry Osborn (James Franco) is Peter Parker’s (Tobey Maguire) closest friend in all three of the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies. However, when he discovers that Peter himself is Spider-Man, he immediately begins to blame him for the death of his father, the Green Goblin, Norman. In Spider-Man 3, Harry’s descent into villainy is complete when he takes on the mantle of the New Goblin, inheriting the evil technology that his father had left for him.
It’s clear that a longer, more nuanced redemption arc would have been better to truly give Harry enough time to endear himself to audiences and fully reconcile with Peter.
While the New Goblin does fight Spider-Man multiple times in the third movie, it’s clear that he is heavily conflicted about his actions. His story hinted at the strong potential for redemption, especially when he discovers that Spider-Man did not actually kill his father.
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7/10 8.5/10 Spider-Man 3 PG-13
The third film in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, Spider-Man 3 sees the Marvel hero face some of his most iconic enemies. Peter Parker’s life is turned upside down by the arrival of an alien symbiote, even as his former friend Harry Osborn prepares to assume the mantle of the Green Goblin and his uncle’s killer gains superpowers after escaping from prison. Starring Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man alongside Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Topher Grace, and Thomas Haden Church.
Director Sam Raimi Release Date May 4, 2007 Cast Tobey Maguire , James Franco , Topher Grace , Bryce Dallas Howard , Kirsten Dunst , Rosemary Harris , J. K. Simmons , Thomas Haden Church , James Cromwell Runtime 139 minutes
While Harry does sacrifice himself to save Peter in Spider-Man 3‘s climax, this shot at redemption feels rushed and incomplete. It’s clear that a longer, more nuanced redemption arc would have been better to truly give Harry enough time to endear himself to audiences and fully reconcile with Peter.
9 Tuco “The Ugly” Ramírez
The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (1966) – Played By Eli Wallach
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Potentially the most iconic Western movie ever made, Sergio Leone’s The Good, the Bad and the Ugly tells the story of the three titular characters as they each try and search for a hidden cache of Confederate gold amidst the violence of the American Civil War. While “Angel Eyes” (“The Bad” – Lee Van Cleef) is clearly depicted as the primary antagonist, Tuco (“The Ugly” – Eli Wallach) is seen as more of an anti-hero.
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While he is still a ruthless bandit, who tortures Blondie (“The Good” – Clint Eastwood), it is still clear to the audience that he is a character with a real shot at redemption. While The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is undeniably an incredible film, it’s hard to shake the feeling that it could have elevated its emotional complexity if it had involved a true redemption arc for Tuco.
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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
In the United States, a mysterious gunfighter tries to work together with a bandit and a bounty hunter to find a hidden treasure. The men are forced to forge a difficult alliance as each knows only part of the location. The big problem is that none of them has any intention of sharing the wealth once they’ve found it.
Director Sergio Leone Release Date December 29, 1967 Cast Clint Eastwood , Eli Wallach , Lee Van Cleef , Aldo Giuffrè , Luigi Pistilli Runtime 161 minutes
The movie ends with Tuco being tied up and left for dead by Blondie after consistently betraying him in the hunt for the gold. Despite Tuco’s obvious moral ambiguity, it would have been undeniably compelling to see him set on a path for redemption after realizing that his lust for gold has led him nowhere.
8 The Shark
Jaws (1975) – Created By Bob Mattey
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Jaws tells the story of a small town called Amity Island that is consistently terrorized by a great white shark. The movie consistently tries to get the point across that the shark is essentially a slasher, like Michael Myers, in the form of an animal. It is depicted as having no redeemable qualities, and its violent death at the hands of police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) at the end of the movie is portrayed as a cathartic moment of relief.
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10/10 16 9.2/10 Jaws PG-13
Steven Spielberg’s legendary tale of one man’s desperate battle with a killer Great White shark on his small seaside community. Faced with a mounting list of victims and a local authority dead-set against causing panic or destroying the tourist economy, he assembles a team to tackle the shark head-on.
Director Steven Spielberg Release Date June 18, 1975 Cast Roy Scheider , Robert Shaw , Richard Dreyfuss , Lorraine Gary , Murray Hamilton , Carl Gottlieb Runtime 124 minutes
Even though the shark is more aggressive towards humans than any real-life great white shark would be, it is hard to feel some sympathy for the animal. Yes, it’s a fictional, fully evil creature, but its “innocence” derives from the fact that it isn’t human, and therefore has the potential for redemption. Jaws‘ director, Steven Spielberg, even said that he regrets the movie’s legacy and what it has done to sharks in the real world, both in terms of the decimation of their species, and public perception of them, making the antagonist of the movie more sympathetic (via BBC).
7 Adar
The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power (2022 – Ongoing) – Played By Joseph Mawle
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Adar, played by Joseph Hawle in season one and Sam Hazeldine in season two of Prime Video’s The Rings of Power, is one of the most compelling and complex villains to have come out of a live-action adaptation of Middle-earth. As an elf-turned-orc leader, Adar’s story is one of tragedy, and, especially in season two, he is depicted as a character who truly cares about the orcs that he leads. He wishes only to protect those that he cares about, making his character ripe for a redemption arc.
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7/10 453 8.4/10 The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
Cast Morfydd Clark , Charlie Vickers , Charles Edwards , Markella Kavenagh , Daniel Weyman , Ismael Cruz Cordova , Megan Richards , Robert Aramayo , Robert Strange , Cynthia Addai-Robinson , Lloyd Owen , Owain Arthur , Tyroe Muhafidin , Alex Tarrant , Benjamin Walker , Trystan Gravelle , Maxim Baldry , Sophia Nomvete , Ema Horvath , Nazanin Boniadi , Geoff Morrell , Peter Mullan , Sara Zwangobani , Lenny Henry , Leon Wadham , Dylan Smith , Thusitha Jayasundera , Maxine Cunliffe , Anthony Crum , Beau Cassidy , Joseph Mawle , Peter Tait , Sam Hazeldine , Bridie Sisson , Jed Brophy , Ciarán Hinds , Amelia Kenworthy , Kevin Eldon Release Date September 1, 2022 Seasons 3 Network Amazon Prime Video Directors J.A. Bayona , Sanaa Hamri Expand
However, at the end of season two, just when it seems as though Adar is going to ally with Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) to fight Sauron, he is betrayed and killed by the orcs that he once led. This brutal depiction of violence may be well deserved for the evil things Adar has done in the past, but it’s incredibly heartbreaking to watch his shot at redemption fizzle out so quickly. His complexity as a character, and the internal struggle that he was going through, made him one of the most intriguing characters in The Rings of Power.
6 Killmonger
Black Panther (2018) – Played By Michael B. Jordan
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Even though he only appears in Black Panther, Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) has become one of the best villains of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His motivations are rooted in true grievances about systematic oppression, racism, and the inaction of T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman). After his father was killed by T’Challa’s father, it is clear that Killmonger is full to the brim of righteous anger, harboring resentment against Wakanda for refusing to alleviate the suffering of Black people around the world.
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8/10 11 9/10 Black Panther PG-13
Black Panther is the eighteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and sees the titular hero return after the events of Captain America: Civil War. Set in the fictional nation of Wakanda, Black Panther sees the succession of T’Challa as the nation’s new king. However, when a mysterious soldier with ill intentions arrives with proof of his claim to the throne, the future of Wakanda is thrown into jeopardy.
Director Ryan Coogler Release Date February 16, 2018 Cast Chadwick Boseman , Lupita Nyong’o , Letitia Wright , Angela Bassett , Winston Duke , Michael B. Jordan , Danai Gurira , Forest Whitaker Runtime 134 Minutes
While some of his actions may be driven by a selfish desire for power, such as when he is crowned king of Wakanda, this is but a small part of Killmonger’s character. Not giving him a typical redemption arc does make narrative sense, as it allows Killmonger to die for his beliefs and values, and this spurs T’Challa into enacting change. However, his death at the hands of T’Challa is still one of the most gut-wrenching scenes in the MCU, and it is hard for audiences not to feel a sting of regret when they realize he never got to work alongside his cousin to enact good.
5 Jaime Lannister
Game Of Thrones (2011-2019) – Played By Nikolaj Coster Waldau
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One of the greatest characters in TV history also has one of the most frustrating endings. Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is perhaps the most complex character in Game of Thrones, with his story spanning all eight seasons. From him pushing Bran Stark out of a tower, to his relationship with Brienne, and his defection to the Northern armies in the fight against the Night King, it looked as though Game of Thrones was going to fully redeem his character. However, in the second half of season eight, everything went wrong with his character, embodied in his quote:
“I never really cared for them. Innocent or otherwise.”
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10/10 48 9.4/10 Game Of Thrones
Based on George R.R. Martin’s novels, this fantasy series follows the power struggles among noble families as they vie for control of the Iron Throne in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. The series is known for its complex characters, political intrigue, and unexpected plot twists.
Cast Kit Harington , Isaac Hempstead Wright , Iain Glen , Peter Dinklage , Nikolaj Coster-Waldau , Emilia Clarke , Maisie Williams , Sophie Turner , John Bradley , Lena Headey , Liam Cunningham , Aidan Gillen , Alfie Allen , Conleth Hill , Rory McCann , Jerome Flynn , Jacob Anderson , Kristofer Hivju , Gwendoline Christie , Nathalie Emmanuel , Carice Van Houten , Natalie Dormer , Stephen Dillane , Charles Dance , Charlotte Hope , Michelle Fairley , Jack Gleeson , Richard Madden , Hannah Murray , Sibel Kekilli , Julian Glover , Brenock O’Connor , Rose Leslie , Michael McElhatton Release Date April 17, 2011 Seasons 8 Directors David Nutter , Alan Taylor , D.B. Weiss , David Benioff Expand
Game of Thrones spent over seven seasons turning Jaime into a better man, only for him to forsake this development and return to Cersei at the very end. He essentially abandons Brienne and the rest of the North in one of the most egregious character arcs ever put to TV. There are so many things wrong with Game of Thrones‘ eighth season, but the showrunners’ handling of Jaime Lannister stands out as something particularly awful.
4 Draco Malfoy
Harry Potter (2001-2011) – Played By Tom Felton
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Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) is one of the most memorable characters from both the Harry Potter books and movies. Presented as Harry’s arch-rival at Hogwarts, Malfoy comes from a rich family who taught him to hate Muggles, Muggle-borns, and anyone else who doesn’t view wizards as elite.
This reluctance to kill in cold blood, as well as his hesitancy in identifying Harry at Malfoy Manor in
The Deathly Hallows Part One
, all make it clear that the story was building to a redemption arc.
However, as the series progresses, Malfoy becomes a more complex character, with it becoming clear that he has been manipulated, not just by his parents, but by Voldemort himself, to do evil deeds. This is evident in The Half-Blood Prince, when Malfoy realizes that he cannot actually bring himself to kill Dumbledore.
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students’ time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.
Created by J.K. Rowling Cast Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint , Tom Felton , Alan Rickman , Matthew Lewis , Bonnie Wright , Evanna Lynch , Maggie Smith , Michael Gambon , Richard Harris , Ralph Fiennes , Helena Bonham Carter , Alfred Enoch , Harry Melling , Gary Oldman , Robert Pattinson , Warwick Davis , Oliver Phelps , James Phelps , David Bradley , David Thewlis , Katie Leung , Jason Isaacs , Imelda Staunton , David Tennant , Jamie Campbell Bower , Timothy Spall , Robbie Coltrane , Eddie Redmayne , Jude Law , Katherine Waterston , Ezra Miller , Dan Fogler , Alison Sudol , Johnny Depp , Mads Mikkelsen Expand
This reluctance to kill in cold blood, as well as his hesitancy in identifying Harry at Malfoy Manor in The Deathly Hallows Part One, all make it clear that the story was building to a redemption arc. In fact, a deleted scene from The Deathly Hallows Part Two shows Malfoy throwing Harry his wand at the climax of the movie to allow him to fight Voldermort, making it all the more frustrating that we never got to see Malfoy’s true redemption.
3 Wanda Maximoff
The Marvel Cinematic Universe – Played By Elizabeth Olsen
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This may speaking too soon, as the new show, Agatha All Along, is still airing weekly, but it is incredibly frustrating how the MCU has seemingly not given Wanda Maximoff/The Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) a redemption arc. Introduced as a villain in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Wanda reconciled with the Avengers, sparking a romance with Vision (Paul Bettanny) as she did so.
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However, Vision’s death in Avengers: Infinity War led Wanda on a downward spiral, causing her to imprison a town with her powers in WandaVision, before eventually embracing the evil magic of the Darkhold in Multiverse of Madness. Wanda was seemingly killed by a mountain at the end of Multiverse of Madness, making it unlikely for her to be redeemed.
Scarlet Witch
Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Scarlet Witch debuted, along with her twin brother, Quicksilver in X-Men #4 (March 1964). Also known as Wanda Maximoff, she first appears as a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, before she eventually became a member of the Avengers. In the comics, she is a mutant who uses chaos magic to alter reality. Scarlet Witch is played by Elizabeth Olsen in the MCU, having debuted in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Created By Stan Lee , Jack Kirby Cast Elizabeth Olsen Died Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness Movies Captain America: The Winter Soldier , Avengers: Age of Ultron , Captain America: Civil War , Avengers: Infinity War , Avengers: Endgame , Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness TV Shows WandaVision FIRST APP Captain America: The Winter Soldier Expand
This is as heartbreaking as it is frustrating, as most of her actions were motivated purely out of the very human desire to have true connections with those she loved, including her children. While it is unclear whether Wanda will make a return in Agatha All Along (as her son, Billy, has just made an appearance), it would be fantastic for audiences to see her redeem herself.
2 Shane Walsh
The Walking Dead (2010-2022) – Played By Jon Bernthal
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Besides the walkers themselves, the first proper villain introduced in The Walking Dead was Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal). While he started out friendly enough, protecting Rick’s family when he was presumed dead, Shane eventually began to reveal his darker side to the audience. The apocalypse made him bitter, violent, and vengeful, exacerbated by his love for Rick’s wife, Lori.
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8/10 13 8.8/10 The Walking Dead
Based on one of the most successful and popular comic books of all time, AMC’s The Walking Dead captures the ongoing human drama following a zombie apocalypse. The series, developed for television by Frank Darabont, follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), who are traveling in search of a safe and secure home. However, instead of the zombies, it is the living who remain that truly become the walking dead. The Walking Dead lasted for eleven seasons and spawned several spinoff shows, such as Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond.
Cast Steven Yeun , Andrew Lincoln , Chandler Riggs , Laurie Holden , Jeffrey DeMunn , Sarah Wayne Callies , Melissa McBride , Norman Reedus , Jon Bernthal , Iron E. Singleton Release Date October 31, 2010 Seasons 11 Network AMC Directors Greg Nicotero
In a confrontation with Rick at the end of season two, Shane is finally pushed over the edge, and he tries to kill his former best friend. However, Rick was too quick for him, with Shane dying from a stab wound. While Shane’s overall story remains one of the most compelling character arcs of The Walking Dead, it’s hard to deny that seeing him redeem himself would have been incredible. Shane could have become a pragmatic ally for the group, learning the importance of retaining one’s humanity even in the face of overwhelming danger.
1 Gollum
The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) – Played By Andy Serkis
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Gollum was portrayed by the incredible Andy Serkis, and is one of the most iconic characters from The Lord of the Rings. Audiences go through various fluctuations of feeling sympathetic towards him, and distrusting him – much like the dynamic between Frodo and Sam. Gollum has been consumed by the power of the One Ring, referring to it as his “precious”, and is in a constant state of inner turmoil.
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a multimedia franchise consisting of several movies and a TV show released by Amazon titled The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The franchise is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book series that began in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring. The Lord of the Rings saw mainstream popularity with Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
Movie(s) The Lord of the Rings (1978) , The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring , The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers , The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King , The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey , The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug , The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies , The Lord of The Rings: The War of The Rohirrim Created by J.R.R. Tolkien Cast Norman Bird , Anthony Daniels , Elijah Wood , Ian McKellen , Liv Tyler , Viggo Mortensen , Sean Astin , Cate Blanchett , John Rhys-Davies , Billy Boyd , Dominic Monaghan , Orlando Bloom , Christopher Lee , Hugo Weaving , Sean Bean , Ian Holm , Andy Serkis , Brad Dourif , Karl Urban , Martin Freeman , Richard Armitage , James Nesbitt , Ken Stott , Benedict Cumberbatch , Evangeline Lilly , Lee Pace , Luke Evans , Morfydd Clark , Mike Wood , Ismael Cruz Cordova , Charlie Vickers , Markella Kavenagh , Megan Richards , Sara Zwangobani , Daniel Weyman , Cynthia Addai-Robinson , Lenny Henry , Brian Cox , Shaun Dooley , Miranda Otto , Bilal Hasna , Benjamin Wainwright , Luke Pasqualino , Christopher Guard , William Squire , Michael Scholes , John Hurt Expand
However, his character comes to a villainous end when, at the climax of The Return of the King, he bites Frodo’s finger off to get his hands on the Ring. It’s a shockingly brutal scene, yet audiences still can’t help but feel sorry for the character. Gollum, or Sméagol as he was once known, is not acting on his own accord, but is helplessly drawn to the Ring. There is true goodness inside of him, but his death in the fires of Mount Doom brought an end to any hope of a redemption arc. It’s a heartbreaking reminder of how power can corrupt anyone.
Sources: BBC