We may cheer for the hero, but it is a good villain that drives the story and makes a movie great.  In this 15-week, ongoing course, we will examine, analyze, and discuss a different villain (and film) each week.  Many factors were taken into consideration in choosing the villains, including multiple ranking lists, teacher preference, and social impact. Another key factor was choosing characters and films that students are less likely to be familiar with (eg: "the one who shall not be named" is deserving of a place on the list, as are many villains from superhero movies; however, most students are already familiar with them).

Students are not required to watch the movies; however, it is highly recommended that students watch the film prior to class to promote a more meaningful class discussion. Parental warning: please be aware that some movies on this list have an R rating due to violence, graphic images, or strong language. Any film clips used in class will be student appropriate; however, in addressing specific quotes or lines from the movie, the original language will be maintained.

Class format:
The class will begin with a brief introduction and film synopsis. This will be followed by completing a basic character description chart. Using selected scenes and quotes from the film, students will then discuss and begin to analyze the nature of the movie villain, and to some extent, the film as a whole.  Primary areas of discussion will include, but are not limited to, symbolic representations, character archetypes, psychoanalysis, social impact, relationship with the hero, driving forces, etc. The goal is to analyze and understand the villain beyond the superficial level. Students will then collaborate to complete an extensive character profile.

Each class is independent and requires no prior knowledge or familiarity with previous films. Students may join at any time. I have chosen to "countdown" my favorite villains for organizational purposes only; however, films may be watched in any order or skipped entirely.   Once the "countdown" is complete, the course will then cycle back to #15 and the countdown will repeat, or additional villains and films may be added at student request.  Some villains appear in multiple movies, but we will focus on the movie listed below with the exception of the final week when we will discuss all three.  Multiple Sections may be available. Section times subject to change based on student enrollment.


Week of 
 3/20 #15. John Doe                                                       (Se7en)
3/27 #14. Mr. Potter                                          (It's a Wonderful Life)
4/3 #13. Emperor Palpatine            (Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Syth)
4/10 1#12.  T-800, The Terminator                        (The Terminator)
4/17 #11. Hans Gruber                                               (Die Hard)
 4/24 #10. Freddy Krueger                             (Nightmare on Elm Street)
 5/1  #9. The Shark                                                         (Jaws) 
5/8 #8. Keyser Soze                                          (The Usual Suspects)
 5/15 #7. The Wicked Witch of the West            (The Wizard of Oz)
5/22 #6. Michael Corleone                               (The Godfather Part 2)
 5/29 #5. Norman Bates                                                 (Psycho)
 6/5 #4. Nurse Ratched                          (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest)
  6/12 #3. Hannibal Lecter                                (The Silence of the Lambs)
 6/19  #2. Darth Vader                   (Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back)     *[Episode IV and VI also suggested]
 6/26  #1. The Joker
                                  [Batman (1989), The Dark Knight (2008), The Joker (2019)] Comparative analysis of the three Jokers

This cycle will repeat beginning the week of July 3.