In this series…
- Before season 8 starts, read our guide to where every character left off.
- The most beautiful shots of Game of Thrones, curated by One Perfect Shot.
- Every episode of Game of Thrones, ranked by our own resident Maester.
- Read our in-depth breakdown of the Game of Thrones season 8 trailer.
- We rank the best duels in Game of Thrones.
- Explore our guide to the best Game of Thrones scenes by season.
- We rank the 50 most important props from Game of Thrones.
- Gather your tunics and explore Game of Thrones in 50 Costumes.
- Brush up on who’s left on Arya’s kill list.
Separating baddies from goodies in Game of Thrones is, like most things, a matter of whose flag you fly. There are plenty of pretenders to the Iron Throne to root for, and pretty much all of them have done terrible things. Even the most protagonist-y of the bunch have some modicum of blood under their nails. Lest we forget: John, Daenerys, and Theon have all killed children at one point or another. And yet we stump (no offense, Jamie). Speaking of Jamie: there’s also no shortage of pivoting heels now enjoying full-blown redemption arcs. All to say: War is full of messy bitches. Ethical gray areas just come with the territory.
However, lest we continue to wallow in the moral ambiguity swamp: it needs must be remarked that Game of Thrones has some of the best big bads in the small screen business. Evil-doers with their flags firmly planted in the villainy camp.
In order to separate the Reek from the chaff and rank these malefactors, I did the evilest thing of all and made a spreadsheet do it for me. I came up with five factors that make a perfect villain, scored each factor on a five-point “what makes a good villain” rubric, then leaned back, rubbing my hands together while automated maths wrought their dark magic. In the event of a tie, a kill count was consulted.
Factors for villainy included notoriety, aka the reach of one’s reputation for eeeeeevil. You could be bad to the bone but if no one’s heard of you, sorry, you’re going to lose points. Next up is panache aka The “Look.” Think of these as style points; good villains have good branding. Their status as a worthy adversary was also up for consideration; the degree to which their physical and/or mental prowess could be considered a veritable threat. A good villain’s evilness has to be understandable to the audience. We need to be able to look at what twisted them and go “oh god, in similar circumstances that could have been me.” Great villains are great because we understand where they’re coming from. They see themselves as the hero of their own story and are convinced that what they’re doing is right. Finally, there’s the elusive “fun factor.” When a villain fucks you simultaneously dread and anticipate their screentime. No matter how many dicks they chop off.
And so, eviscerated appendages and all: here are the top 55 Game of Thrones villains, so far, ranked for your pleasure.
50. Doreah
Who’s Your Baddie
Daenerys most trusted handmaiden.
Why They’re The Worst
- Betrays Daenerys by sleeping with Xaro
- Helps Xaro steal the dragons
Last Seen
Being permanently sealed inside Xaro’s empty treasure vault
49. Dagmer
Who’s Your Baddie
First mate of the Sea Bitch; skilled ironborn raider and reaver
Why They’re The Worst
- Helps during Theon’s “if I raid enough things maybe my dad will love me” phase
- Encourages Theon to kill to display dominance
- Stabs Maester Luwin
- Participates in the murder of not-Bran and not-Rickon
Last Seen
Betrayed and flayed alive by Ramsay
48. Rast
Who’s Your Baddie
Career criminal and rapist forced to join the Night Watch
Why They’re The Worst
- Antagonizes Samwell Tarly
- Literally stabs Commander Jeor Mormont in the back
- Taunts Ghost
- Stabs Hodor in the leg
- Sacrifices Craster’s last son
Last Seen
Mauled by Ghost
47. Meryn Trant
Who’s Your Baddie
Knight of the Kingsguard who does not think twice about carrying out Joffrey’s ridiculous orders.
Why They’re The Worst
- Killed Syrio Forel
- Frequently beats Sansa
- Goads Tyrion during his trail
- Pedophile
- Quote the Hound: “Any boy whore with a sword could beat three Meryn Trants”
Last Seen
Throat slit by Arya
46. Polliver
Who’s Your Baddie
Man-at-arms in service of House Lannister
Why They’re The Worst
- Compares torturing people to carpentry
- Jokes about picking his teeth with Needle
- Brutally murdered a child
- Beat up an old woman
- Attempted rape
Last Seen
Stabbed to death by Arya in Season 4
45. Janos Slynt
Who’s Your Baddie
The former commander of the King’s Landing City Watch forced to join the Night’s Watch
Why They’re The Worst
- Lies to Ned Stark about his allegiance
- Massacres Ned’s men and arrests him in exchange for Lordship
- Helps murder King Robert’s bastards
- Cowardly
- Tries to get Jon Snow killed by sending him on an expedition to Caster’s Keep
Last Seen
Beheaded by Longclaw
44. Xaro Xhoan Daxos
Who’s Your Baddie
Member of the ruling council of Qarth
Why They’re The Worst
- Orchestrates violent coup to declare himself King of Qarth
- Steals Daenerys’ dragons
- Scammer (renowned for wealth he does not have)
Last Seen
Being permanently sealed in his empty treasure vault
43. Amory Lorch
Who’s Your Baddie
Knight in service of House Lannister
Why They’re The Worst
- Heads the Glod Cloak effort to find and kill Gendry
- Kills Yoren
- Complicit in Ser Gregor’s Harrenhal torture party
Last Seen
Killed by Jaqen H’ghar with a poisoned dart at the behest of Arya.
42. Lothar Frey
Who’s Your Baddie
One of Walder Frey’s shittier sons
Why They’re The Worst
- Hired Coldplay for the Red Wedding
- Fatally stabs pregnant Talisa in the stomach
Last Seen
Baked into a pie
41. Walder Rivers
Who’s Your Baddie
A bastard son of Walder Frey, a.k.a. Black Walder
Why They’re The Worst
- Cuts Catelyn’s throat
- Torments Edmure Tully
Last Seen
Baked into a pie
The post Game of Thrones: The 50 Best Villains appeared first on Film School Rejects.
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