Top 30 villains in television history

Photo Credit: Netflix

2. Kilgrave 

David Tennant was so beloved as Kilgrave that fans begged for the villain to return for season two of Jessica Jones. He managed to turn someone who should have been seen as scum, but was all of a sudden likable because of the way Tennant played him. Easily the best Marvel villain since Loki, Kilgrave is not only complex but magnetic on screen that it’s difficult not to crave more scenes with him.

Kilgrave had the ability to say anything and have people physically need to please him as part of his power. It’s telling that so many viewers liked him because as a villain he’s supposed to be loved by anyone he tells that to. However, he uses his powers to commit unforgivable acts such as murder, kidnapping, and many more.

Throughout the first season he happily tells other people to do his dirty work for him so technically it isn’t his fault. It’s revealed almost immediately that he physically and psychologically tortured Jessica when he had her under his spell. She tries to deal with the lasting trauma from that time period of her life but Kilgrave keeps continuously popping up.

He doesn’t need to plan out an attack for months on end because ultimately everyone bends to his will either way. However, his relationship with Jessica only expands on his characterization showing exactly why he’s such a good villain. Kilgrave looks back on their time as two people who were in love, yet he clearly overlooks the obvious signs of abuse to see what he wants.

Throughout the series he becomes a petulant child when he can no longer control Jessica and when he finally thinks he won, Kilgrave ecstatically announces she’ll eventually see things his way. He has to be a great antagonist for so many people to adore the character, and fans can rest easy because he will be back.