It is safe to say that 2022 has already been an excellent year for television. With Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2 literally causing Netflix to glitch due to the large volume of people streaming the premiere, the small screen is having a big moment this year. Whether it is the start of brand new shows or new seasons viewers have been waiting for, what each has in common is that they have captivating stories driven by well-written characters.
Well-written protagonists wouldn't be the same without equally well-thought-out antagonists. 2022 saw incredible returns from fan-favorite villains and brand new "bad-guys" that would keep viewers up at night. While many have underlying motivators, all of these small-screen villains let evil behaviors run rampant.
Arthur Harrow (Moon Knight)
2022 has definitely been a great year for actor Ethan Hawke with performances in The Black Phone and in Marvel's Moonknight. In the ladder, he plays the main antagonist Arthur Harrow. His motives for world domination combined with his powers of super-strength and speed make him a terrifying force to be reckoned with.
While Arthur's goals are not too different than most villains, his cult leader status is another layer to the character. His talent for walking on broken glass is enough to cement him into memorable villain status.
Ron & Dan Lafferty (Under The Banner Of Heaven)
Based on the actual murderers of the real-life Lafferty case, Ron and Dan Lafferty's portrayal in Under The Banner of Heaven is quite horrifying. Throughout the show, viewers witness their slow descent into madness the further they dive into federalist LDS principles. These men take their convictions too far, believing it is their calling to rid the world of an innocent woman and child.
The portrayal of these men in the miniseries shows them to be hot-headed and unpredictable. The audience never really knows when either of these men will lose their temper and act on terrifying impulses.
Harmony Cobel (Severance)
Cold, apathetic, and resembling many corporate nightmares, Harmony Cobel is a character that would give any office worker PTSD. Her duel presence both inside and outside the Lumon world is chilling. Patricia Arquette gives an incredible performance by truly transforming into this role. With every stare or punishment she gives, the viewer is left with goosebumps, and not the good kind.
What makes Harmony such a great villain is her foundation that doesn't feel too far from reality. The audience can place a scary old boss, or current employer in her seat, making her fictional character feel like she could come out of the TV at any moment and into the real world.
Samuel (Archive 81)
Charming in one moment and terrifying in the next, cult leader Samuel from Archive 81 is a truly chilling villain. Viewers watch from the archive tapes and see Samuel first become a friend to the character, Melody, but the audience quickly learns there is a lot more to him than meets the eye.
What makes Samuel so terrifying is the fact that he truly has no limits. He goes as far as using a child as a vessel to summon a spirit, as well as committing murder and manipulation. His ability to mask his dark secrets with a caring front so easily makes him truly chilling.
Javier Elizonndro (Ozark)
Cartel Lieutenant, Javier Elizonndro, takes up primary villain status in part one of Ozark's fourth and final season. This Navarro cartel member is ruthless and unpredictable. He is ready to kill at any moment if he does not get his way, creating tension whenever he is on screen.
Javi's lust for power fuels his actions, which can be one of the most terrifying motives for evil deeds. His power and influence lead him to achieve his goals of both gaining control of the Navarro Cartel and shutting down the Snell opium business. While a terrifying villain, he was no match for Ruth Langmore, in the end.
Lalo (Better Call Saul)
The charismatic villain of seasons 4 through 5 of Better Call Saul received even more screen time in the sixth and final season. Like many television villains, he is able to go far due to his charisma and intelligence. This criminal mastermind cause committed crimes such as (but not limited to) torture, mass murder, drug trafficking, and more.
Lalo's ability to seem almost friendly and polite at times makes the viewer caught off guard when they remember he is still a cold-blooded killer, like the rest of his family.
Laurie (Euphoria)
A small but mighty role, the character of Laurie in the Sam Levinson-directed Euphoria was an unexpected terror in a show filled with people committing all sorts of awful acts. Jacob Elordi's Nate Jacobs may have had more screen time, but Laurie is able to put fear into the hearts of viewers with a simple look.
What makes Laurie a memorable villain is her monotone demeanor and complete lack of empathy. The audience never sees Laurie do terrible things, but her monologues are enough to give someone nightmares. She makes it clear to Zendaya's, Rue that there is no line she will not cross if Rue doesn't complete the job of selling drugs on her behalf.
Vecna (Stranger Things)
Arguably the best villain in The Upside Down, Vecna had audiences keeping their AirPods handy and favorite song queued up, just in case. Taking the form of a demon more than a monster, like previous Stranger Things villains, Vecna is able to infiltrate the minds of his victims while exposing them to their past traumas.
Vecna exposed Hawkins to a level of terror, unlike anything they had ever seen before. The reveal that he is 001, and one of Papa's first "children" creates a fascinating back story to his layered character. He is frightening when he takes his true form and knowing he could strike at any time only adds to the terror he brings to the story.
Homelander (The Boys)
There is arguably no TV villain of recent years that is more purely evil than Homelander. The leader of Vought Enterprises group, The Seven, Homelander is a fictional character that is all too layered in reality. Taking many characteristics of corrupt positions and people who abuse power and topping it off with an all-American, superman aesthetic, Homelander is the stuff of nightmares. Audiences were introduced to him in 2019 when The Boys premiered and he has only become more unhinged since.
Season 3 of The Boys sees Homelander in his truest form. He continues his normal patterns of senseless killing and gaslighting, but turns the volume up to an 11 in Season 3. With the loss of his toxic love, Stormfront, Homelander truly has not a care in the world whether or not he does the "right thing." He is able to influence his followers to believe his actions are for the greater good, while still killing at the drop of a hat.