There are
certain actors we watch in movies who constantly play the protagonists in almost
all of their roles. Whether they are most known for making us laugh, saving the
world, or solving crime, most of these actors always play it safe for the fear
of destroying their image or for not being able to play a convincing bad guy.
(*cough Keanu Reeves in The Watcher *cough)
Some actors
thankfully get over that fear and take risks, and sometimes exceed viewers’
expectations with their leaps from heroes to villains onscreen. (It worked for
Denzel!) Here is my personal list of my favorite “bad to the bone” performances
from popular “good guy” actors.
WARNING – SOME SPOILERS AHEAD!
10.
Owen Wilson – Minus Man
It’s
funny how many people have not even heard of this 1999 mystery flick. Every
time I tell my friends Owen Wilson played a killer in a movie, they always laugh
and tell me I must be mistaken. Before he was well known for his hilarious
roles, Owen Wilson had played Vann, a twisted, cold, yet oddly enough likable
serial killer who moves to a small town in The Minus Man. This is
definitely a performance not to be missed!
9.
Frank Whaley & Ethan Embry – Vacancy
If someone had told me before I
had went to see Vacancy that these two actors (who were best known for
playing geeks in 90’s comedies) were going to be the villains in the movie, I
probably wouldn’t have been so excited to see the film. Thankfully, I went into
this disturbing flick not knowing they were in it, and I was very surprised to
see how convincing they were in their menacing roles. Frank Whaley sold me as
the psychotic motel owner, and Ethan Embry freaked me out during each scene he
chased the protagonists of the film. (The T-1000 of masked killers if you ask
me!)
8. Johnny
Depp – Secret Window
Writer’s block is an awful
thing. I get so frustrated and almost go crazy just trying to get rid of it.
Unfortunately for Mort Rainey, (played by Johnny Depp) his writer’s block in
fact drives him crazy and he develops a split personality because of it. (Also,
catching his wife in bed with another man could have been the catalyst for the
breakdown!) Although, most people saw the so-called twist ending coming a mile
away, it is always great to see Johnny Depp play the bad guy for a change.
(Captain Jack Sparrow doesn’t count!)
7.
Ethan Hawke – Taking Lives
When I had watched the trailer for this film years ago, audiences were made to
believe that notorious bad guy, (well…before 24 anyways) Kiefer
Sutherland was the serial killer in this 2003 thriller. Although, when it was
revealed that Ethan Hawke was in fact the culprit behind the murders, I felt
completely misled, disappointed, and stupid for not being able to figure out the
“oh so obvious” plot twist earlier on. However, Ethan was able to play the
villain convincingly during the film’s infamous “scissors scene.” (I won’t spoil
that one for you folks! That one you have to see for yourselves!)
6. Morgan
Freeman – Dreamcatcher
I have a confession to make. I
really enjoyed Dreamcatcher. (Feel free to blast me endlessly for that
comment.) What I especially liked in this “very guilty pleasure” of mine was the
insane and ruthless alien hunter, Colonel Curtis. (Played by the great Morgan
Freeman) For an actor who is known for playing God, the President, and very
intellectual police detectives, I thought it was a bold and welcome character
change for him. So what if this role is hailed for being his worst onscreen
performance by many critics, I thought he did a kickass job, and he looked like
he had a lot of fun filming it. (It had to at least be more fun than filming
Edison Force.)
PART 2 OF THIS LIST IS COMING SOON!