Movie villains are just as important as the heroes. While moviegoers love a strong, well-meaning character to root for, they also love a solid villain who can enthral them in a totally different way, whether it be through menace or even subtle humor. Many actors shy away from antagonist roles in fear that they could be typecast, however, sometimes a villainous role can elevate someone to the next stage of their career.
It can be hard to relate with movie villains as they represent the wicked in good vs evil. Yet, when an actor splices their role with comedic nuances, they often become more magnetic on screen, creating an aura that can become iconic. So, here’s our pick of 5 of the best movie villains that made us laugh.
5. Jim Carrey as The Cable Guy – The Cable Guy (1996)
Jim Carrey rose to fame rapidly in the early 90s with movies like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber. Playing such loveable and eccentric characters, nobody expected him to take on a darker role so quickly. However, in The Cable Guy, he did just that. Ben Stiller‘s dark comedy follows a lonely cable guy (Carrey) who latches onto one of his customers, Steven (Matthew Broderick), when he shows him some kindness. At first, the two become friends, until the cable guy starts to display some worrying and obsessive behaviour.
On the surface, The Cable Guy was in keeping with Carrey’s wacky formula that made him a global superstar, but underneath, the movie had unnerving thriller feel that was carried effortlessly by the comedic giant. As the movie progresses, Carrey’s character becomes more and more unhinged and soon goes after Steven’s girlfriend. Carrey soon ventured into drama with movies like The Truman Show, however, it was this role that showcased his versatility, portraying a menacing man that still grips the audience with absurd comedy and razor sharp wit.
4. Wesley Snipes as Simon Phoenix – Demolition Man (1993)
Wesley Snipes emerged as an action hero in the early 90s with films like Boiling Point, Rising Sun, and Passenger 57. He also showed off his comedic chops in films like Major League and White Men Can’t Jump. In 1993’s Demolition Man, he merged his intense physicality with comedy to play the ruthless yet oddly charming Simon Phoenix. Squaring off against Sylvester Stallone‘s detective John Spartan, Snipes shines as Phoenix, a criminal frozen in time as punishment, only to wake up in a future world where crime barely exists. To that, he sets out to be the leader of the underworld, all with Spartan hot on his trail.
Snipes brings levity to the movie by injecting humor in near enough every seen he is in. Although his character is despicable, he lights up the screen with a bizarrely twisted yet hilarious charisma, cracking jokes in the most horrendous scenarios. Even in the movie’s explosive action scenes, Snipes brings comedy that would revival any peers of the era.
3. Ralph Fiennes as Harry – In Bruges (2008)
In Bruges is a dark comedy set in the criminal underworld, however, the picture-perfect backdrop of Bruges, Belgium adds a sense of calm amidst the chaos. The plot follows Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson), two hitmen who hideout in the charming cobblestone town of Bruges after a job goes horribly wrong. Told to stay put by their boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes), the two wind up getting into all kinds of mischief, which sends them on a collision course with Harry.
While much of the comedy comes from Ken, who is subtle and collected, and Ray, who is boisterous and loud, it is Harry who steals the show. Ralph Fiennes delivers a multi-layered rendition as the cold-blood gangster who can switch from a soft and caring demeanour to an intense rage in a heartbeat. One particular scene sees Harry order the death of Ray for his mistake only to be insistent that he have a nice time in Bruges first, the town he describes as ‘magical’. Although In Bruges is rather bleak and has moments of shocking violence, Fiennes is the cast member who truly takes some of that weight off with his hilarious role, making for one of the most iconic movie villains of the last few decades.
2. Jack Nicholson as Joker – Batman (1989)
With a signature smile, flamboyant hair, and eccentric makeup, Joker is a character that one would anticipate to be funny from the get go. However, it wasn’t until Jack Nicholson took on the famed part in Tim Burton‘s Batman in 1989 that the character’s comedic ways really shined through. Prior to this movie, Joker has always been played as a creepy, unhinged menace. While Burton saw to it that this would still be the case, Nicholson added layers upon layers of humor to the role, elevating it to a level that hadn’t been seen before.
Blending terror and comedy seamlessly, the Oscar-winner really compiled all of his skills as an actor to create a multi-dimensional, and profoundly nuanced character. Even in the film’s more shocking moments, things never feel too heavy as Joker makes fun out of such disturbing situations. Furthermore, Nicholson’s scenes with Michael Keaton as Batman add a playful banter that feels raw, unscripted and almost sketch-like, a testament to both actors.
1. Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse – Beetlejuice (1988)
Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Betelgeuse, the eccentric and mischievous bio-exorcist, in Tim Burton’s 1988 classic Beetlejuice is widely regarded as one of the funniest movie villain characters of all time. With his over-the-top antics and outrageous wit, Betelgeuse is so captivatingly comedic that it’s easy to forget he’s actually the main antagonist of the film. The character’s irreverent charm, coupled with Keaton’s immersive comedic timing, makes it difficult to categorize him as a villain.
As he weaves his way through the Maitlands’ lives, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction in his wake, Betelgeuse is more of a bumbling eccentric than a twisted menace. Of course, some mild horror elements are present, but they are alleviated with burlesque. The character’s irrepressible and frenetic energy is infectious, making audiences laugh a minute, often in spite of themselves. This is due in part to Keaton’s comedic roots, honed during his early days as a stand-up comedian when he struggled to make a name for himself, supplementing his income with stand-up performances. His role is so iconic that it has endured a lasting legacy leading to a long-awaited sequel in 2024, entitled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
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