There’s so much bad in the world. The real-life villains are taking control. I find myself regularly asking, “What’s next?!” in the day-to-day dumpster fire that is 2025.

So, let’s talk about fictional villains, those who live rent-free in our brains. Here are six of mine.

President Snow (The Hunger Games)

As if the original Hunger Games books didn’t convince me already, Sunrise on the Reaping solidified President Corolianus Snow as an ultimate villain. Author Suzanne Collins has given readers one of the most complex characters of the 21st century. President Snow doesn’t just rule the districts. He tortures the residents and Hunger Games champions with a tenacious, devilish precision. Haymitch’s origin story adds more fodder to President Snow’s lore.

Hannibal Lecter (The Silence of the Lambs)

The epitome of psychopathic serial killers, Hannibal Lecter is a mind-controlling narcissist. Not just deadly, he manipulates his victims’ emotions as he prepares for his next meal. Yes, Thomas Harris created the villain in his books, but the real masterpiece is Sir Anthony Hopkins’s performance in The Silence of the Lambs film (1991). Fava beans never sounded so wicked.

Serena Joy Waterford (The Handmaid’s Tale)

All hail my college professor who introduced me to Serena Joy. It’s been two decades and I still think about those fake tears falling from her heavily made-up eyes. I implore you to read The Handmaid’s Tale (if you haven’t already) just to experience this snake-in-the-grass evangelist who betrays women with her knitting needles. Book-version Serena Joy exploits her husband’s oligarchical rule while somehow appearing as a meekly submissive wife. Then watch the Hulu series to experience Yvonne Strahowski’s interpretation that is both sympathetic and diabolical.

Clay Morrow (Sons of Anarchy)

The sole tv-only villain on this list, Clay Morrow is the violent patriarch I never knew I needed. In Sons of Anarchy (2008-2014), Clay uses fire, bullets, and wheels to enact his will on SAMCRO and Charming, CA. Kurt Sutter’s drama series reinvigorated Hamlet with motorcycle gangs, and Clay is an elevated, more dangerous version of Claudius. From day one, he’s the perfect foil to stepson Jax’s conflicted bad boy image. Sutter and actor Ron Perlman deserved all the awards for this one.

Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty – Disney Version)

Adding an animated villain to the list, I consider Maleficent from Disney’s 1959 movie, Sleeping Beauty. Yes, she’s the Evil Fairy of the original tales, but the animated movie depicts her as a towering, shape-shifting, cackling mistress of evil. She’s darkness personified with a big vendetta and great accessories.

Tamlin (A Court of Thorns and Roses – Spoilers!)

If you haven’t read A Court of Thorns and Roses, skip the next paragraph!

He’s the love interest gone wrong, the Fae male who won originally won our hearts in ACOTAR. Tamil is the jealous boyfriend with too many high-powered connections. He doesn’t just wield magic, he lures Feyre in with his angst-ridden green eyes and pretty blonde hair. Despite his claims of being just a little misunderstood, Tamlin’s ability to gaslight puts him on par with the arrogance of today’s politicians.

In Search of More Villains

Who else belongs in the Fictional Villain Hall of Fame? Who deserves an honorable mention? Do you disagree with any of my picks?