Someone on Reddit wanted to know: “Can you share any movies where a nice actor usually plays a good person, but in the movie he plays a really bad character?”
Several people agreed that Matt Damon was incredible as a villain in The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Informant, and The Departed.
In addition, Tom Cruise was highly acclaimed for his villainous roles in Collateral, Tropic Thunder and Interview With the Vampire.
But the question was directed at actors who aren’t usually villains, and obviously these actors have played a villain many times.
So here are ten picks for the best movies in which an actor who is generally a good guy becomes the bad guy.
1. Chris Evans: Knives Out (2019)
In Knives Out, Chris Evans plays the spoiled, conniving, and heartless Hugh Ransom Drysdale. He is the grandson of rich murdered mystery the writer Harlan Thrombe.
Ransom happily stirs the pot of chaos to manipulate his family. Chris Evans also plays a bad guy in The Gray Man (2022).
Both roles are nothing like Steve Rogers or Captain America. But he nails them.
2. Keanu Reeves: The Watcher (2000)
In The Watcher, Keanu Reeves plays serial killer David Allen Griffin, on the hunt in Los Angeles, California.
Griffin targets and stalks women without family or loved ones, so that their absence goes unnoticed. After discovering their routine, he strangles them with piano wire.
Editor BeeInLove noted: “The Watcher. Keanu Reeves and James Spader have essentially reversed their roles.
3. Steve Carell: The Way Back (2013)
Image Credit: Fox Searchlight Photos
In The Way Way Back, Steve Carell plays Trent Ramsey, an overprotective man in a relationship with a woman named Pam (Toni Collette).
Unfortunately, he is selfish and insensitive and disagrees with his teenage son. Ramsey is also a manipulative cheater who tries to beat her son.
Editor BrklnOG asked, “Who knew Steve Carrell could play a sleaze so well? Great movie.” Steve Carell is also a villain in Foxcatcher (2014).
4. Adam Sandler: Uncut Gems (2019)
In Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler plays the scumbag Howard Ratner, a Jewish American jeweler from New York’s Diamond District.
Howard has a serious gambling problem and writes checks he can’t cash. He is in a significant situation debt and needs to recover a diamond that will save his life, but he has other plans.
Redditor jla2001 announced: “Uncut Gems…god, Adam Sandler is such a selling point in this movie. »
5. Harrison Ford: What Lies Beneath (2000)
In What Lies Beneath, Harrison Ford plays Dr. Norman Spencer, an accomplished scientist and university professor.
Spencer is an unfaithful husband with a deadly secret and will stop at nothing to keep it a secret. It is one of the scariest experiences with its supernatural touch.
Reddit user Steeveeebeemuse exclaimed: “Vote for What Lies Beneath. He was terrifying!
6. Stanley Tucci: The Pretty Bones (2009)
The Lovely Bones is so sinister that Stanley Tucci tried to give up the role due to the level of creepiness of the character, George Harvey. Harvey kills a 14-year-old neighbor after persuading her to enter “a children’s hideout.”
Redditor, Main_Refrigerator109, said: “OMG I love Stanley Tucci’s characters. But Lovely Bones was terrifying, strange and extremely scary. It was very difficult for me to watch this film.
7. Denzel Washington: Training Day (2001)
In Training Day, Denzel Washington plays Alonzo Harris, a ruthless and crooked LAPD narcotics agent who is heavily in debt.
He sets up his partner and first-day intern, Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke), and manipulates the people around him to pay off the debt before his numbers rise.
Denzel Washington also plays the villain in American Gangster and Safe House.
SergeantChic “Denzel Washington at practice day is the first thing that comes to mind whenever someone asks that. He knocked it out of the park.
8. Harry Connick Jr.: Copier (1995)
In Copycat, Harry Connick Jr. plays Daryll Lee Cullum, a serial killer who murdered several women by tying them to trees and burning them alive.
He escaped from San Quentin State Penitentiary and is an ugly, nasty villain. PlaidChairStyle on Reddit admits: “Copycat has been messing me up for days. »
9. One Hour Photo: Robin Williams (2002)
In One Hour Photo, Robin Williams plays Seymour Parrish, a lonely, frightening and obsessive man. He fell in love with the Yorkin family while developing their photos.
Seymour prints their photos and posts them all over his walls while trying to fit in with their family.
10. Hugh Grant: The Gentlemen (2019)
In The Gentlemen, romantic comedy legend Hugh Grant plays a greedy private detective named Fletcher.
Fletcher aspires to become a screenwriter and attempts to blackmail the film’s drug-dealing gangsters for a large sum of money.
Grimm808 said: “This is the movie that made me realize how lost romantic comedies were.”
Source: Reddit
Elizabeth Ervin is the owner of Sober healing, a website that provides information on addiction, recovery, mental wellness, spirituality, and resources to help people rebuild their lives. Elizabeth has education and experience in addiction, healing, and spiritual studies. She is passionate about learning, teaching and loving others.
