Thanos and the Infinity Saga has been built up over 3 phases of the MCU, and with Infinity War and Endgame, they delivered on a promise made way back in 2012 with the mid-credits scene in Avengers. The result is one of, if not the best villain in the MCU.
Thanos has the pathos, the intensity, and the gravitas needed to cap off the 7-year run, and that is due in large part to the writing and delivery of his spoken words. He’s had many quotable lines throughout the two movies, to the point where he lived–and still lives–comfortably on the internet as a villainous meme.
Thanos' Warning
“Dread It. Run From It. Destiny Still Arrives. Or Should I Say, I Have”
Thanos’ introduction speech in Infinity War is one that truly sets the tone for the film. He starts off somewhat commiserative with lines like “I know what it’s like to lose,” and he appears to be almost sympathetic to his victims. But when he caps it off with this line, “destiny still arrives,” he lets his victims know that he will not relent. He feels their suffering, he knows their pain, and yet he fully intends to follow through with his actions, without hesitation. It’s arguably scarier to have a character be aware of the consequences of their actions and still decide to follow through, rather than other villains who simply may not be aware.
Thanos On Warping His Surroundings
“Reality Is Often Disappointing… Now, Reality Can Be Whatever I Want.”
The scene this quote comes from demonstrates Thanos’ cruelty. The Guardians arrive on Knowhere thinking they’ll be able to prevent Thanos from acquiring the Reality Stone from the Collector. Unfortunately, by the end of the scene, it’s revealed he has razed Knowhere, and is flexing his power with the newly acquired Reality Stone.
Thanos even allows his daughter Gamora to play out the fantasy of killing him - a fantasy Gamora rightly deserves to make reality - only to pull out the rug from under her, revealing that he is in control of the situation and she is helpless to stop him. The line, “Reality can be whatever I want” is spoken with a mix of self assuredness, curiosity and wonder as he wields his newfound power.
Thanos On His Future
“I Finally Rest, And Watch The Sun Rise On A Grateful Universe. The Hardest Choices Require The Strongest Wills.”
This line comes at the end of an exchange between Thanos and Doctor Strange on his homeworld, Titan. Strange probes him on his motivations, and Thanos regails him with his backstory, of how Titan became overpopulated and collapsed on itself despite his attempts to stop it. This line expresses the feeling that Thanos truly believes what he’s doing is right and good for the universe. This is a sentiment that later is felt in the last shot of the movie, where Thanos sits on his farm and watches the sun rise on - what he expects to be - a grateful universe.
Thanos On The Avengers' Return
“You Could Not Live With Your Failure, And Where Did That Bring You? Back To Me.”
Where in Infinity War, Thanos has less ego about his goals and motivations, in Endgame, the Thanos the Avengers face at the end lets his ego slip a bit more. He speaks this line, sitting patiently, as the Big Three are squaring up to face him. In this moment he seems almost pleased with himself, beaming with pride for deeds he has yet to accomplish. This line functions as both an insult to the Avengers, and a boast for Thanos, as he banks on his past - or future - victory.
Thanos On His Motivations
“Perfectly Balanced, As All Things Should Be.”
This line is spoken in an intimate moment with Thanos and his would-be daughter. He says this to Gamora as a child the first time he meets her, as he distracts her from the genocide he’s committing on her homeworld to her people. This line essentially acts as Thanos’ entire thesis statement in seven words. He believes that in order to ensure that half the universe is able to thrive, half the universe must be culled. He believes that his actions are causing the cosmic scales to tip towards balance.
Thanos On His Perseverance
“I Ignored My Destiny Once, I Cannot Do That Again. Even For You. I’m Sorry, Little One.”
On Vormir, to get the Soul Stone, it is revealed to Thanos and Gamora that the sacrifice of a loved one is necessary. Though Gamora initially laughs this off, assured because of the years of physical and emotional abuse that he doesn’t love her, Thanos delivers this line before tearfully following through with the sacrifice. The combination of Brolin’s performance and the special effects team bringing that performance to life makes audiences feel that he truly does love Gamora. It elicits a feeling that if he’s able to kill someone he loves to accomplish his goal, there’s no limit to what he might do to any who might stand in his way.
Thanos On His Commitment To His Cause
“I Will Shred This Universe Down To Its Last Atom. And Then... Create A New One... A Grateful Universe.”
At the end of the exchange between Thanos and the Big Three before the final battle kicks off, he lays bare his intentions. Having been shown how he’s succeeded and despite that, the Avengers still try to resist and undo his actions, Thanos now believes half the universe is no longer far enough. This marks an increase in stakes, as now there is no mercy in his plan, and no space for anyone to be spared. It underlines his ruthlessness and dedication.
Thanos Being Confused By Wanda
“I Don’t Even Know Who You Are.”
In the finale, Wanda appears with hatred and vengeance in her eyes, mourning the loss of her beloved Vision in Infinity War at the hands of Thanos. However this is technically a different version of Thanos, who never engaged in battle with the Avengers in battle, so he brushes off her anger with this line.
It’s a humorous moment, as in canon this version of Thanos has actually never met Wanda or Vision, but it also is emblematic of a general feeling in line with the character of Thanos; that none of the pain or suffering of these heroes matters to him in the slightest.
Thanos Showing Respect For Tony
“When I’m Done, Half Of Humanity Will Still Be Alive. I Hope They Remember You.”
In one of his most memorable encounters with an Avenger, this moment comes at the end of Thanos and Iron Man’s one on one fight on Titan. With Iron Man fatally wounded and Thanos standing over him ready to deliver the killing blow, he commiserates with Tony a bit. With this line, he expresses a feeling of genuine respect for his adversary, which is slightly off-putting to have the villain feel sorry for the heroes. It speaks to some sort of moral code which most basic villains do not have, and implies a level of confidence. It almost feels like Thanos realizes how much he outmatches Tony and feels sorry for doing what he believes he needs to do.
Thanos On His Eternal Influence
“The Work Is Done. It Always Will Be. I Am Inevitable.”
In the beginning of Endgame, the Avengers rally to find Thanos, defeat him, take back the stones and undo what he accomplished in Infinity War. Unfortunately they arrive too late, and find that Thanos has destroyed the stones making it effectively impossible to undo his work. As he says this line, he rubs it in the face of the heroes that they have failed and that he was in fact too much for the Avengers. It gives the impression that Thanos and his mission is ever outside of the reach of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, and hits on the idea that in all their tenure, Thanos is the only one who’s ever defeated the Avengers.