The traditional Hollywood formula usually serves up a neat ending where the good guys triumph, and the bad guys get their just deserts. But every now and then, we get a movie that flips the script, leaving us both stunned and thrilled as the villain emerges victorious. These 10 Movies Where the Bad Guy Wins; toy with our expectations, serving up endings that leave us questioning morality, rooting for the wrong side, or simply enjoying the chaos.
Infinity WarÂ
No list about villainous victories would be complete without mentioning Avengers: Infinity War. Thanos, the “Mad Titan,” actually achieves his goal, snapping half the universe into dust, including many beloved superheroes. The film ends on a somber note, leaving fans in shock.
For the first time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the villain wins, and we’re left to grapple with the gravity of the situation until Endgame rolls around. Thanos’ methodical, almost righteous, motivation made this win even more chilling.
Joker
Joker stands out as a dark, psychological descent into madness. Joaquin Phoenix‘s portrayal of Arthur Fleck transforms him from a downtrodden clown to Gotham’s infamous villain. The film isn’t just about the rise of the Joker; it’s about society’s
failure to recognize and help those teetering on the edge. By the end, Arthur isn’t caught, punished, or redeemed—instead, he’s celebrated by a mob of like-minded anarchists. Society doesn’t win here; chaos does.
Gone GirlÂ
While it may not fit the conventional definition of a “bad guy,” Amy Dunne in Gone Girl certainly qualifies as the antagonist in her twisted marriage. The film reveals Amy’s meticulous plan to frame her husband, Nick, for her murder. And guess what?
She pulls it off. Not only does she get away with her deceit, but she also forces Nick to stay with her, trapped in a web of manipulation. It’s a psychological win for Amy, and a moral loss for everyone else involved.
The Invisible Man
Leigh Whannell’s modern retelling of The Invisible Man gave us a terrifying villain in Adrian Griffin. His ability to become invisible allows him to manipulate, terrorize, and gaslight his ex-girlfriend, Cecilia, throughout the film.
Even though Cecilia ultimately kills Adrian, it’s revealed that his brother, also part of the plan, had been helping him. The real twist? Adrian’s cruelty lives on, as his manipulation continues posthumously, leaving Cecilia emotionally scarred forever.
Hereditary
If you’re looking for a truly unsettling film where the bad guy wins, look no further than Hereditary. This horror masterpiece by Ari Aster explores the concept of evil as a family inheritance, with
demonic forces quietly pulling the strings. By the film’s shocking climax, the evil spirit of Paimon is successfully transferred into a human vessel, completing the malevolent plan.Â
Nocturnal AnimalsÂ
In Nocturnal Animals, Amy Adams plays Susan, a successful yet unfulfilled woman who is sent a manuscript written by her ex-husband, Edward. The story within the story takes a dark turn, becoming a twisted metaphor for Susan’s real-life failings. By the film’s conclusion, Susan is left alone, waiting for a dinner date with Edward that never happens.
The Devil All The Time
This gritty Southern Gothic film doesn’t have a single “bad guy” but instead is packed with morally questionable characters. In The Devil All The Time, most of the villainous characters, from the corrupt preacher to the sadistic couple, meet their demise.
However, Tom Holland’s character, Arvin, despite being the closest thing to a protagonist, is no saint. He carries out several murders himself, leaving us to question whether good or evil really triumphed in the end.Â
Parasite
Parasite Bong Joon-ho’s Academy Award-winning film, doesn’t have a clear villain in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s a sharp critique of class division, where both the wealthy Park family and the struggling Kim family play their parts in a deadly game of deception. In the end, the wealthy and powerful win, leaving the Kims shattered.
Don’t BreatheÂ
Don’t Breathe flips the typical home-invasion plot on its head, making the would-be victim, Norman Nordstrom, the film’s true antagonist. A group of young thieves breaks into his home, only to discover that the blind veteran is far more dangerous than they could have imagined.
Uncut GemsÂ
Adam Sandler‘s portrayal of Howard Ratner in Uncut Gems is a frenetic dive into addiction, greed, and self-destruction. Howard is a gambler constantly looking for his next big win, but his recklessness eventually catches up with him. While his obsession briefly leads to a high-stakes victory, it’s cut short in a shocking and brutal fashion when he’s killed by his own associate.Â
These recent films remind us that not every story needs to end on a hopeful note. Sometimes, the most memorable and provocative films are the ones where the bad guy wins, leaving us with moral questions, emotional complexity, and a little taste of darkness. Whether through psychological manipulation, societal failure, or sheer villainous strength, these 10 Movies Where the Bad Guy Wins prove that evil sometimes gets the last word.
