This decade has brought some pretty memorable performances from some of the most polarizing and captivating characters. The complexity and sometimes relatability of the villain make them more popular than the heroes in the story and sometimes we find ourselves cheering on the “bad guy”. Over the past decade, we have seen more women-led tv shows and movies than ever before which proves to be a big step for a cinema and proven we have taken a step in the right direction. Here are 10 of the greatest female antagonists of the decade.
Emiko Queen (Arrow)
In season 7 of Arrow, we start with Oliver Queen serving time in jail for taking the mantle of the Green Arrow, which takes a toll on the small Queen family. Add in the fact there is a Green Arrow imposter that’s going around terrorizing the city and seemingly tarnishing the mantle. As the season progresses we find out it Oliver’s evil half-sister Emiko. Emiko was the product of Oliver’s father having an affair, so we know right away she has a personal vendetta for Oliver and looks to make his life a living hell. We push for her change of heart but alas she dies being an evil foe to Oliver.
Sister Mary Eunice (American Horror Story: Asylum)
There have been a lot of villains in the nine seasons of American Horror Story, and Sister Mary Eunice (Lily Rabe) is a memorable one. After becoming possessed by the devil, Sister Mary starts mentally and physically torturing the people around her. With no regard for human life, she uses people’s darkest secrets and fears against them, driving them to the edge of insanity, and if that doesn’t work she happily resorts to murdering them instead.
Reign (Supergirl)
Reign is a genetically engineered super-soldier, known as a Worldkiller. Reign is a villain who was created by Kryptonians, so she matches Supergirls strength in every sense of the word.
Being one of the first villains to take down Supergirl, she is a might villain who is arguably the Doomsday to Supergirl. She will stop at nothing to kill any Kryptonian and destroy the city. Thankfully we have a powerful being of our own in Supergirl.
Katherine Pierce (Vampire Diaries)
Played by Nina Dobrev and the doppelgänger of the protagonist, a witch-turned-vampire, has a long list of mishaps, betrayals and unnecessary killings in her 500-years on the run. On the show, we consistently see her killing without remorse, basically killing just to have fun, although she has killed unwillingly as well. She’s literally the queen of the Underworld so there’s no way she wouldn’t make the list.
Lenny Busker (Legion)
Lenny, played by Aubrey Plaza is a mutant with very powerful hate for mutant in the FX series Legion. As the “Shadow King” she technically doesn’t identify as either male or female but considering she’s played by a female actress, we’ll leave it at that. And Aubrey Plaza’s great acting expertise really brings the character to life, even though she was unfamiliar with the role prior. She lets her hated spew and is well known for abusing drugs and alcohol, which make more unpredictable and susceptible to unnecessary violence.
Poison Ivy (Batman Hush)
Poison Ivy has long been a very worthy opponent to the dark knight and has made many appearances in comics and media (Batman & Robin, Gotham). In Batman Hush, an animated telling of the Batman story of the same name, she is more of the same, being easily manipulated into taking out Batman. She goes so far as to mind controlling the might Superman to take care of the Dark Knight but is thankfully unsuccessful.
Although Poison Ivy plays more of an antihero these days, helping heroes yet maintaining her distance from them. Poison Ivy is still a formidable foe for Batman and a constant thorn on his side.
June Harris/Dr. Smith (Lost in Space)
Lost in Space is a remake of the 1960s series of the same name and it follows a family as it explores space and new frontiers. June Harries is a con artist, stowing aboard the ships after stealing the identities of her own sister. She easily manipulates the young Will Robinson into thinking she was an ally but that trust is quickly regretted when she turns on Will and his family. June Harris will do what needs to be done to survive and is a very quick and sneaky thinker, which makes her all the more dangerous. A thief and downright psychopath, literally betraying a family and leaving a kid for dead.
Madame Gao (Iron Fist, The Defenders)
Madame Gao was namely an Iron Fist villain but made her through the MCU tv shows as a prominent heroin dealer and an ally of Wilson Fisk/Kingpin. Like many of the villains on the list, she has a very clear advantage over the heroes of their respective narrative by being more precise and planning 10 steps ahead.
From terrorizing Hell’s Kitchen in Daredevils turf, to having a small role in the death of Danny Rand’s parent’s death, Madame Gao is a lot more intimidating than she looks. She may older and fragile, but make no mistake she is a very formidable flow for the heroes.
Annalise Keating (How to Get Away With Murder)
For Lawyer Annalise Keating played by Viola Davis, she wasn’t always evil, nor is she really evil to the core at all. It is moments in her life and her willingness to survive by any means necessary is she a worthy villain in any tv show. She starts with the best of intentions but quickly turns to manipulate those around her to do her will even as far as getting help for staging her very own murder. She doesn’t always do bad things and although she usually feels remorse, there’s very clear evidence she would turn over her closest loved ones if it meant getting out of a situation.
Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones)
Cersei Lannister, played by Lena Headey is the worst of the worst. From a very questionable incestuous affair with her twin, constantly poisoning those who oppose her, and mostly responsible for causing her son’s suicide. Cersei doesn’t care much for getting her hands dirty as to her, the end always justifies the means. Cersei will stop at nothing to get her seat on the iron throne and intimidating and intuitive personality sees her survive when she very likely should’ve been dead. Throughout the series, she shows no remorse for any of her actions, regardless of how cruel and inhumane they are.
