Many movies throughout cinematic history have told the story of good vs. evil. This can be achieved in various ways, but most people expect the hero always to triumph. It’s a classic trope in movies that people are sent out of the cinema happy and feeling good. However, there are examples where the villain has ended up being victorious. This typically catches people off guard, but having these sinister characters reign supreme can be an excellent decision.
Se7en
This movie focuses on a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins to justify decisions. Most viewers presume they will be caught and punished for their actions, but it wraps up with a horrifying twist. It cements the killer’s victory and haunts audiences as they finish watching.
The Usual Suspects
Keyser Soze is one of the most iconic villains in movie history, and his escape at the end of The Usual Suspects is a big factor in that. Proving he’s smarter than everyone else creates a compelling moment when he reveals his true identity.
Gone Girl
Audiences spend the entire movie watching Gone Girl, hoping that Amy will get her comeuppance. She’s a clever character who twists everyone around her into believing she’s the victim. Toward the end, it seems like her plan will fail, only for her to reveal she’s pregnant, trapping Nick into a relationship with her.
No Country for Old Men
No Country for Old Men unsettles audiences as the relentless hitman, Anton Chigurh, fulfills his deadly mission. The film ends with him walking away unscathed and without punishment, coming out on top of the situation.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
The Star Wars franchise is a classic example of good vs. evil, and most of the time, the heroes end up standing tall. But The Empire Strikes Back is the darkest installment of all, and that’s because it’s the villains that finish standing on top. It’s necessary because it raises the stakes for what’s to come but creates a unique moment. With Han Solo captured and Luke Skywalker dealing with personal loss, it’s not a bright moment for the heroes.
Saw
The Saw franchise is unique because John Kramer is portrayed as the villain throughout. He creates sickening traps and looks to punish people, yet those who he captures and tortures tend to have made mistakes and hurt others, too. Either way, Kramer is the one who comes out on top of the original film and many that follow. He proves too bright, leaving his victim trapped and alone to end the film.
Funny Games
This movie is about two men tormenting a family in their vacation home. They do it for their own joy and entertainment despite how upsetting it is for the victims. The family’s fate at the end leads to the villains coming out on top, which is unsettling for people to watch.
Avengers: Infinity War
Marvel movies have created some brilliant villains over the years, but none have succeeded. People expect this from a superhero story, as good always conquers evil in this world. But that’s not the case in Avengers: Infinity War. Audiences were stunned by the end as they watched many of their favorite characters turn to dust. Thanos succeeds in his plan and wipes out half of the universe, which is something nobody expected.
Fallen
Azazel possesses people via touch in Fallen, creating a fantastic villain. Toward the end of the story, it seems like Azazel is set to be defeated, but the character survives by possessing a cat.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Though not traditionally a bad-guy victory, Terminator 2: Judgment Day leaves a lingering sense of doom at the end. The relentless T-1000 is ultimately defeated, but the film’s ending suggests the fight against machines is far from over, which leaves viewers on edge as they stop watching.
Rosemary’s Baby
Rosemary’s Baby is a classic tale that’s filled with genuinely scary moments. The protagonist eventually works things out, but they discover that her baby is the son of satan, and it is too late to make any impact or to stop things from happening.
Primal Fear
At the end of Primal Fear, Aaron manages to escape his conviction, which provides a victory for the villain. It’s a great example of manipulation, and its ending suits the story perfectly in terms of how well it’s written. But it doesn’t give the happy feeling that most films do.
The Dark Knight Rises
Batman is a character that’s supposed to always win, but that’s potentially not what happens at the end of The Dark Knight Rises. The film leaves the ending up to interpretation for others. Batman flies a bomb away to save Gotham, but whether or not he escapes himself is left to the people to determine.
No Time to Die
James Bond is another hero who always comes out on top, no matter how difficult the circumstances might seem. He can escape seemingly impossible odds and fight when outnumbered, but he meets his match in No Time to Die. Even though he stops the overall plans of Lyutsifer Safin, he’s not able to save himself in the process.
Hereditary
Hereditary is a terrifying movie that will consistently shock viewers throughout. It leans heavily into the supernatural, but the family can’t overcome it. They end up being torn apart by the cult, with the demon possessing the son to fulfill their overall plan.
Requiem for a Dream
From start to finish, Requiem for a Dream provides a bleak and dark outlook on the impact of addiction. At no point does that let up either, as the film ends with each character in a worse state than they started in. It effectively tells the planned story to showcase the negatives of addiction, but it does give a depressing finish.
Silence of the Lambs
Due to his intelligence, Hannibal Lecter is a compelling villain that many viewers like. However, his behavior makes him someone whom audiences ultimately want to see punished. The movie provides a different ending, though, as he escapes prison to enjoy life on a tropical island.
Memento
Given its structure, Memento is a unique movie that forces people to concentrate throughout. The hero deals with short-term memory loss, which means he has to work hard to piece together the puzzle of what happened. But he ends up learning that the villain has been manipulating him the entire time.
