Inspired by the discussion in this thread about who is the more depraved Francis Urqhart/Underwood, Ian Richardson or Kevin Spacey, which villains do you love to watch?
As I said in the thread, I absolutely loved Ian Richardson in House of Cards. Ian McShane as Al Swearengen in Deadwood is marvelously vile and Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones is mesmerizingly loathsome.
So, what corrupt, amoral, wicked, malevolent evildoer do you adore?
You already nailed my first choice with Swearengen. I loved his turn in the first Death Race remake, too.
Alan Rickman as either Hans Gruber or the cattleman in Quigley Down Under is pretty high, too.
It’s an oldie, but Henry Silva in Cinderfella, a Jerry Lewis vehicle, was just delicious. Those cheekbones!
I’m also a fan of Lee Van Cleef in spaghetti westerns, Jack Palance in Shane, Donald Sutherland in The Dirty Dozen, Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs, and Yul Brynner in Westworld. And Orson Welles in The Third Man.
Hans Landa from Inglorious Basterds, played by Christoph Waltz. One of the top ten Nazis on film.
Have to say that Hiddleston portraying Loki positively nails that mad balance between egomania, desperate vulnerable narcissism, and casual (but purposeful) cruelty that makes up a nice *quality *psychopath. Delightful to watch.
Gary Oldman as corrupt/psychotic DEA Agent Norman Stansfield in Leon
Clancy Brown as The Kurgan in Highlander.
John Lithgow stole the movie as Dr. Emilio Lizardo/Lord John Whorfin in Buckaroo Banzai.
Randal “Tex” Cobb as Leonard Smalls in Raising Arizona.
Charles Dance as Benedict in (the IMO underrated) Last Action Hero.
On the small-screen, Wayne Pygram gives us one of the most nuanced villains I’ve seen in the form of Scorpius, in Farscape.
Dustin Hoffman as Capt. James Hook in Hook.
In light of recent events I’m reminded of Sir Ian McKellen’s phenomenal performance as the delightfully evil Richard III. Right to the very end when he plummets down into a Hell-fire death, Al Jolsen music playing and him smiling all the way!
Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister was probably the easiest job ever given to the casting director for “Game of Thrones”. Mesmerizing.
Jeremy Irons in just about anything, but in particular, the role for which he won the Oscar, Claus Von Bulow in “Reversal of Fortune”.
Tilda Swinton as the White Queen in “Narnia”.
Alan Rickman in Die Hard.
All great choices to whIch I would add Vittorio Gassman for his corrupting the enchanting Rachel Ward in Sharky’s Machine (1981)
Billy Drago as Frank Nitti in The Untouchables.
To me, Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor is one of the best.
Oh. Heath Ledger’s Joker. Really chillingly evil.
Glenn Close as Cruella DeVille.
Oh, another vote for Alan Rickman!!
Bardem’s character in Skyfall.
John Hurt as Caligula in I, Claudius. Just delicious.
Haven’t seen that, but in No Country for Old Men, he was pretty darn special.
I just finished watching that. 
Was he evil or just unbalanced? He seemed so vulnerable. You couldn’t help but like him.
Doug Hitchison as Percy Wetmore in The Green Mile.
