Looking for examples villain introductions people love as inspiration for a piece I’m writing. Would truly appreciate it if you would share what it is about the way the villain is introduced that made it impactful for you. I am especially interested in villain introductions from films people may not be familiar with. Thank you for your help.
Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber in Die Hard. No words, just walks out of the back of the truck, exuding calm authority and menace. R.I.P.
15
RickSanchez_C137Mar 24, 2026
+2
Everyone else is carrying bags and weapons and shit, Gruber is in the middle of the group with his hands in his pockets.
So many perfect little moments in Die Hard.
2
SkullchewerMar 24, 2026
+2
Rickman's first big screen appearance, and he took the movie away from everyone else the moment he appeared.
2
artpayneMar 24, 2026
+43
Joker in *The Dark Knight.*
43
floogMar 24, 2026
This one. The pencil disappearing "trick" really sets the tone for the insanity about to ensue.
0
kneeco28Mar 24, 2026
+4
I like the introduction of Thanos when he gathers all the gems and snaps his fingers.
4
floogMar 24, 2026
Bit of a stretch, I skipped ahead to my favorite scene a little on...in the same movie, not 13 movies prior. But yeah.
0
REVMCLOVINMar 24, 2026
+1
💯 Absolutely
1
VampireHunterAlexMar 24, 2026
+28
I don't think you can get anymore iconic than Darth Vader in Star Wars (1977).
Fun Fact: It started filming 50 years ago this week.
28
FordMustang84Mar 25, 2026
+1
Spot on. That is a solid fun fact. Need to watch it this week in honor of that.
1
JumboWheat01Mar 24, 2026
-1
Dunno, I think his Rogue One introduction was better. But of course, since that kinda leads directly into A New Hope...
-1
Town-NoobMar 24, 2026
+27
Hans Landa in Inglorious Basterds
27
Comic_Book_ReaderMar 24, 2026
+3
Can I piggyback off this one and give a mention to a different Tarantino villain with Elle Driver in Kill Bill?
3
CursedSnowman5000Mar 24, 2026
+2
Daryl Hannah in that nurse uniform 🤤
2
Comic_Book_ReaderMar 24, 2026
+2
Her whistling has now entered my brain. I also love the detail she has a white red cross eyepatch when she's disguised as a nurse and then a regular black eyepatch with the suit when she meets Budd.
2
WerePrechaunPireMar 24, 2026
+1
Inglourious
1
Distant_PilgrimMar 24, 2026
+10
Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men.
10
undeadsabbyMar 24, 2026
+8
One of my personal faves is Frankenfurter in Rocky Horror Picture Show. Slow build, bass line, glittery-heel tapping to the beat. His audience is eagerly rising from the floor as Brad and Janet bump into the elevator.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWoYy4Ah81s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWoYy4Ah81s)
8
Independent_March536Mar 24, 2026
+2
I actually personally know the people responsible for that movie poster. Actually for a lot of movie posters. It was Tony Seiniger and his team.
2
undeadsabbyMar 24, 2026
+1
Cool! It's overall one of my favorite films. I'm overdue to catch a live showing
1
orwllMar 24, 2026
+6
The Third Man and Double Indemnity are two of the best
6
Independent_March536Mar 24, 2026
+3
I have to google this because I admittedly have no clue what you’re expressing.
Not really an individual villain, but the aliens arriving in Independence Day is great (the ships emerging from the clouds and taking positions over the cities).
3
svrtngrMar 24, 2026
+3
The one thing the Pirates of the Caribbean movies consistently nail is their villain introductions.
Barbossa from the first movie, Davey Jones from the second, Blackbeard from the fourth (haven't seen the fifth).
Always menacing, great monologues.
3
MachielMar 24, 2026
+3
General Hummel in The Rock. You immediately feel connected to his cause despite his questionable actions.
3
ankisethgallantMar 24, 2026
+2
John Doe in Seven
2
SamIAmShepardMar 24, 2026
+2
Harry Lime (Orson Welles) in the Third Man.
2
uconn23Mar 24, 2026
+2
Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw in OBAA
2
Independent_March536Mar 24, 2026
+1
Anther name I’m going to need to google.
1
SeagullsStopItNowzMar 24, 2026
+2
The Usual Suspects. The entire movie is an intro to the villain.
2
weareallpatriotsMar 24, 2026
+2
A Few Good Men is one example in an ocean of them.
JESSEP's a born leader, considered in many circles to be one of the real
fair-haired boys of the Corps. He's smart as a whip with a sense of humor
to match. As soon as he drops the letter, he says
JESSEP
Who the f*** is PFC William T.
Santiago.
2
CursedSnowman5000Mar 24, 2026
+2
Kahn from Star Trek 2
Buford T. Justice from Smokey and the Bandit
The White Death from Bullet Train
The Bug in Men in Black
2
OracleVision88Mar 24, 2026
+2
The White Death in Bullet Train
One of the greatest introductions of all time
2
Penguin-DustMar 24, 2026
+2
“Bruce” the shark in Jaws (1975) comes to mind. First when you don’t see him but knows he’s there as he grabs the girl swimming at the start of the movie and later when he surprises Roy Scheider and pops up out of the water prompting the famous line, “I think we’re going to need a bigger boat.”
2
Huge-DigitMar 24, 2026
+3
Kaiser Sosa.
3
SurviveDaddyMar 24, 2026
+4
[The Joker](https://youtu.be/yPBPcACUTng?si=KP1nfkq_UARDLZuB) in [Batman](https://boxd.it/2aIU) (1989)
Still the best Joker, to this day.
4
Comic_Book_ReaderMar 24, 2026
+4
I f****** *love* the lighting in that scene.
4
SurviveDaddyMar 24, 2026
+1
It could not have been done any better.
1
Floasis72Mar 24, 2026
+2
We knew of Vader before but his “intro” in Rogue One was crazy. I think the purpose is to establish their power either thru direct display or even just with the fear, despair, or hopelessness shown by those in their path.
I want my villain to feel unstoppable.
Also power dosnt have to mean physical. Cunning, quiet confidence, ruthlessness, even utter disregard can all show this
2
DottsteriskMar 24, 2026
+4
My big issue with that scene is that, in context, it makes Vader look like a bit of a chump.
In isolation, he’s an absolute *monster* and it’s f****** cool—and even *cathartic*—to finally see him tear loose. Kinda like finally getting to see Wolverine properly f*** goons up in Logan. But within context of the greater story, Vader fails in that scene. He fails horribly and unnecessarily at something *crucial.*
His job is to get the plans. That’s it. And it’s of utmost importance. But instead of grabbing the plans—which are right there on a physical data device—he spends his time showing off and enjoying the violence. In doing so, he lets the plans slip right through his fingers.
*And then*, we realize that this happens immediately before A New Hope, meaning Vader does nearly the exact same thing only moments later, allowing the plans to escape with R2.
Of course, this all leads to discovering Luke and destroying the Death Star and then the Empire itself.
Vader dun goofed.
4
orwllMar 24, 2026
+1
>Also power dosnt have to mean physical. Cunning, quiet confidence, ruthlessness, even utter disregard can all show this
This is exactly why the Vader intro in Star Wars is great, and the cameo in Rogue One was lame.
1
jca_ftwMar 24, 2026
+1
Easy. Vader
1
alliownisbrokenMar 24, 2026
+1
The villain reveal in the first Charlie's Angels movie was epic
1
colemon1991Mar 24, 2026
+1
Terminator
You learn just about everything you need to know through his actions rather than words.
1
DigitalBoy05Mar 24, 2026
+1
Dark knight and the joker
1
DavianVonLorringMar 24, 2026
+1
[Enter The Shredder](https://youtu.be/HTkA6MXdV2M?si=kUG2DjFIRpf-CdX8)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990).
56 Comments