We can all agree that good villains make a movie much more interesting. Good actors who play the villain role well can sow the seed of hatred, anger and sometimes even fear deep in your mind.

Remember Anthony Hopkins in the Silence of the Lambs and how scary he was despite his normal look at first glance? Anthony played the role of Hannibal so well, many movie watchers reported they couldn’t sleep at night after watching the movie!

Some actors have a knack for role-playing as the bad guy but some of them take it to another level. Here is our top 3 list of actors who played their villain role a little too well.

1. Jake Gyllenhaal as Louis Bloom in Nightcrawler (2014)

In this crime drama movie, Jake plays the role of Louis “Lou” Bloom, a thief turned “stringer” -nighttime journalists whose job is to be the first at any violent incident scene to film it. Jake was phenomenal in this role, being able to exude a very distinct and scary atmosphere from his character. Lou Bloom was not the traditional kind of villain – he belongs in the gray zone where although his actions don’t carry evil intentions, they also lack any sympathy for human lives.

Jake was able to play a Lou who is absolutely ruthless and has a complete disregard for ethics and moral. The character almost feels like a predator who is always driven by its insatiable hunger and will use any sort of exploitation and coercion to satisfy this hunger. Hats off to Jake Gyllenhaal for being to play such a difficult role.

2. Lena Headley as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones

We can all agree by now that Queen Cersei is an awful human being. She was the root of the cause of an open civil war that tore the Seven Kingdoms apart. Cersei was sly and cunning, always with a plan to cut down anyone who stood in her ascension to the throne. Many of the series’ fan favorites were murder one way or another by Cersei and her henchmen. It’s safe to say that Cersei is one of the most hated characters across the Game of Thrones Fandom.

We have to give it to Lena for portraying such a deep and multi-faceted character so wonderfully. Lena’s Cersei felt very real – as if she was someone who we all know in our real life. She showed her weak sides when her children were murdered. Also, she cried when she lost her father. She showed anger, frustration, fear and worry when her brother was captured as a prisoner of war. But on top of all that, Cersei Lannister was a schemer who will show no mercy to her enemy, not even to children.

Lena Headley played the role of Cersei so well that fans direct their hatred and anger of the characters at her. Now that’s good acting!

3. Giancarlo Esposito as Gustavo Fring in Breaking Bad

Gustavo Fring is the main antagonist of the TV Series Breaking Bad. He is the prominent drug dealer in the Southern United States. While putting up a front as a normal business owner who displays an admirable and polite demeanor, Gus was a ruthless gang leader in secret.

Giancarlo was able to bring out the true natures of the character, especially his calmness. It is this calmness that defines just how scary a villain Gus Fring is. Even in his death, he still remains calm and collected and that really made him stood out in the series.