9 Heroes Who Became Villains

Anakin Skywalker - Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Anakin Skywalker, portrayed by Hayden Christensen, is a character known for his journey from a devoted Jedi to the monstrous Darth Vader. His transformation is a compelling portrayal of the draw of absolute power and the sway of outside forces in his life. The betrayal of his former ally, Obi-Wan Kenobi, in the final moments of the film is a devastating and impossible moment to look away from.

Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Revenge of the Sith

Anakin's strong belief in the sanctity of the force is challenged by temptation, leading to a dramatic showdown that blindsides both the other heroes and the audience.

Anakin looking at Count Dooku during fight in Revenge of the Sith

Pyro - X2: X-Men United (2003)

The conflict between mutants on the side of Professor X and those on the side of Magneto questions the right way to start a revolution. Pyro, portrayed by Aaron Stanford, is a young mutant who can no longer imagine a world where he is loved, accepted, and feels safe around humans. His switch to Magneto's side illustrates the complexity of the central issues of the film.

Aaron Stanford as Pyro in X2

After fighting alongside the heroes, Pyro dedicates himself to Magneto, causing a hard loss for Professor X and his followers.

Harvey Dent - The Dark Knight (2008)

Harvey Dent, portrayed by Aaron Eckhart, starts as a by-the-book district attorney with the best interests of Gotham City at heart. However, the influence of the Joker corrupts him into an unrecognizable man who takes the law into his own hands as an excuse to enact violence and revenge. His transformation is a shocking twist that raises the overall stakes of the film.

The reveal of Harvey Dent as Two-Face in The Dark Knight.

The Joker's successful corruption of Dent blindsides both the other heroes and the audience, creating one of the best villains in cinema.

John Connor - Terminator Genisys (2015)

John Connor, portrayed by Jason Clarke, undergoes a dramatic shift from the heroic leader of the resistance to a transformed character who becomes one of the greatest villains in the franchise. His betrayal of his former allies is a devastating twist that changes the course of the Terminator story.

Jason Clarke looks to his side in Terminator Genisys

The revelation of John Connor's transformation into a Terminator himself blindsides both the other heroes and the audience, creating a formidable new villain.

Ozymandias - Watchmen (2009)

Ozymandias, portrayed by Matthew Goode, is a hero within the world who is corrupted by his past and has difficulty accepting all parts of himself. His betrayal of the former heroes and vigilantes illustrates the moral complexity of his character, making him a morally gray man who is disappointed by the world.

Ozymandias in Wachmen 2009

Ozymandias' plans to kill off the former heroes and vigilantes create a shocking twist that elevates the film, blindsiding both the other heroes and the audience.

Michael Corleone - The Godfather (1972)

Michael Corleone, portrayed by Al Pacino, struggles to distance himself from the criminal empire built by his father, Vito Corleone. His gradual descent into the world of crime and violence is a compelling portrayal of a character who becomes the new patriarch of the crime family, creating one of the most definitive adaptations of morally complex characters in cinema.

Michael at the baptism in The Godfather

The transformation of Michael Corleone into the new patriarch blindsides both the other characters and the audience, creating a morally complex and formidable villain.

Coriolanus Snow - The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes (2023)

Coriolanus Snow, portrayed by Tom Blyth, starts as a character with the potential to resist the villain within himself. However, his desire for power and safety leads to increasingly brutal actions, culminating in his betrayal of even his loved ones. The dark ending of Coriolanus Snow blindsides the audience, creating a ruthless dictator in the original films.

Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow looking pensive in a white T-Shirt in The Hunger Games The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Coriolanus Snow's transformation into a ruthless dictator creates a shocking twist that changes the course of The Hunger Games story, blindsiding the audience and the other characters.

Hal Stewart/Tighten - Megamind (2010)

Hal Stewart, portrayed by Jonah Hill, undergoes a transformation from a regular cameraman to a villain who uses his newfound superhero powers for his own gain. His switch to become a villain worse than the main antagonist blindsides the audience and changes the course of the story, leading to a compelling discovery of the hero within the original antagonist, Megamind.

Hal in Megamind

Hal Stewart's transformation into a villain worse than Megamind creates a compelling twist that changes the dynamics of the film, blindsiding the audience and the characters.

Saruman The White - Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

Saruman The White, portrayed by Christopher Lee, betrays his alliance with Gandalf for the power and protection of the most terrible entity in the universe. His deceitful nature blindsides Gandalf and the audience, leading to an epic battle between the two wizards and creating one of the most formidable villains in the fantasy genre.

Saruman walks with Gandalf

Saruman's betrayal of Gandalf creates a dramatic twist that raises the overall stakes of the film, blindsiding both the characters and the audience.

Trooper Barrigan - The Departed (2006)

Trooper Barrigan, portrayed by James Badge Dale, is revealed to be working for the criminals the entire time, leading to the shocking betrayal and death of the undercover cop, William. The revelation of Trooper Barrigan's true allegiance blindsides both the characters and the audience, creating a race against time to see who will be discovered first.

Trooper Barrigan The Departed

The shocking betrayal and death of the undercover cop by Trooper Barrigan creates a race against time that blindsides the audience, changing the dynamics of the film.