Top 8 Movie Sociopaths
"Am I here to amuuz you?" Joe Pesci once menacingly asked in Goodfellas. Well, yes you are, to be honest.
It's hard to admit it, but we are always very entertained by sociopaths in movies. Maybe it's something in our DNA which finds nutters fascinating.
Now, at Hecklerspray we deplore violence. But, as we said before, violence in films is fine – because it's not real. As anyone who has been on public transport will testify, we all sometimes wish we were Tony Montana or Tony Soprano.
Somebody pushes past you without apologising? You hit them over the head with a fuck-off axe while shouting "You Goddamn cock-a-roach!" Someone cuts you up on the road? You pull him out of your car and kick the crap out of them.
Now, you would never actually do such a terrible thing. But, let's face it, we've all thought it. You haven't? What are you, a fucking boy scout? Anyway, the point is we have all thought of mindless violence in our head, but would never actually dream of doing it.
The sociopaths below, of course, would. And that's why we actually quite admire them.
Oh, and they shoot people and say cool things. So, say hello to our leetle friends!!
8. Hannibal Lector, Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Why do we like Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of a doctor who likes to eat his patients so much? Well, women like him because he is charming, a good cook, and, well, he's a doctor, which their mothers would approve of. And men like him because he is full of useless information (good for pub quizzes and chats) and can handle himself in a fight.
7. Harry Powell, Robert Mitcham in Night of the Hunter (1955)
Robert Mitcham is simply terrifying as the bible-bashing, misogynist preacher desperate to rid the world of 'perfume smelling things'. Imagine having him as your Sunday School teacher.
6. Begbie, Robert Carlyle in Trainspotting (1996)
The scary thing about Robert Carlyle's portrayal of Scottish nutcase Begbie is that it is clearly borne out of experience.If you like to go out for a drink with your mates in town quite a lot, chances are you have bumped into a Begbie. You know who we mean. He's the annoying bastard that pushes into you in the pub queue, and then demands you buy him a pint back. And if you don't, well, he'll glass you.
5. Tommy DeVito, Joe Pesci in Goodfellas (1990)
The clown prince of sociopaths, Joe Pesci's Tommy is as funny as he is terrifying. One moment he is making you laugh, the next he's gone totally nuts and shot you in the face. Does he amuuz us? Well, yes. Does he scare the shit out of us? Absolutely.
4. Tony Montana, Al Pacino in Scarface (1983)
Why do we like Al Pacino's portrayal of the Cuban sociopath Tony Montana so much? It's because he basically could not give a fuck about anyone or anything. Of course, polite society demands these people get their comeuppance, which Montana certainly does in a thrilling, blood-soaked finale. But there is something about him that we respect. Even when faced with having his limbs chopped off with a chainsaw he does not flinch. He sees a girl he likes; he gets her. Simple.
3. Han Gruber, Alan Rickman in Die Hard (1988)
Only Alan Rickman could make such a merciless and cold-bloodied killer so charming. He's so good, he almost upstages Bruce Willis – almost.
2. Anton Chigurh, Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men (2007)
Forget the dodgy haircut, Javier Bardem's contract killer Anton Chigurh is possibly one of the scariest sociopaths ever to appear on the silver screen. He is calculating, creative, ruthless and, what makes it worse, he gets away with it.
1. Jack Torrance, Jack Nicholson in The Shining (1980)
It's the shit-eating grin appearing though the door and shouting 'here's Johnny' that really sets Jack Nicholson apart from the rest. Chilling!
Honourable mentions:
Paddy Considine in Dead Man’s Shoes
Animal Mutha in Full Metal Jacket
Kathy Bates in Misery
Francis Dollarhyde in Manhunter
Don Logan from Sexy Beast
Sorry. #1 goes to Ernest Cunnigham as the menacing stapler-repairman
in Office Space. When he backs Milton into the corner and lisps
“You know why it’s called a ‘Swingline’? Yes? No? Want to find out? No? Yes?”
Classic. And the Marilyn wig just pushes it over the top.
I’d go for Mr Shhhh in Things to Do In Denver When You’re Dead (Steve Buscemi)
And Gary Oldman in Leon. Awesome performance.
And the ever reliable Kurtwood Smith as Clarence Boddicker.
but some good calls there too
Don Logan in Sexy Beast?
Don Logan is a very good shout. Good call.
what no patrick bateman ~american psycho!?!?
Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs? "If they hadn’t-a done what i told ‘em not to do…they’d still be alive." He’s the best.
Also, i disagree with the Die Hard and The Shining picks. Neither strikes me as a sociopath, the least of which is Jack in The Shining. He was possessed by Grady, the former caretaker, or having schizophrenic delusions (talking to Grady in the Mens room and Floyd the bartender). It seems much more like a supernatural happenstance versus anything pathological.
Hey! I really enjoyed this post. Joe Pesci is genius! drop by anytime, jmdwww.winewomansong.com
no Patrick Bateman from American psycho?
I cannot believe you didn’t include Vincent from Collateral. Also, Patrick Bateman from American Psycho should have been #1
Where’s Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho
No Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs? The Ear Scene? Nothing?
Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver? I was expecting him in the #1 slot.
You totally missed the most disarming sociopath of all time, or don’t you count black and white movies?Norman Bates, in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho
Man, you could have used any number of David Lynch characters. How about Willem Defoe as Bobby Peru in Wild at Heart (in fact, there’s another half dozen sociopaths in that movie that could make this list), or Dennis Hopper as Frank Booth in Blue Velvet? Really enjoyed the scene from Trainspotting, though. Good work.
HEY WHAT ABOUT MILTON FROM AMERICAN PSYCHO LOL I STAPLED MY HUEY LEWIS RECORD WHAT A MAROON!!
wat about jason bateman from american psycho????? ur list sux
a big one for me is Kevin Spacey’s role as John Doe in the movie Se7en….should have made the list.
‘Blue Velvet anyone’? If you want to be a film critic, you should probably familiarize yourself with that film.
I would also add Robert Mitchum AND Al Pacino’s as Max Cady in the Cape Fear movies.
What about Brick Top from Snatch?
Let’s not get our "paths" mixed up. These people are all psychopaths especially Tommy DeVito. A sociopath generally has an exterior whereby you’d never have a clue. For example: Norman Bates? He is number one. What about Tom Ripley both the Damon one and the Malkovich one? I’m tempted to throw in Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) Hey I’m no film buff but I think if you check Godard’s Breathless Jean-Paul Belmondo’s character is quite the sociopath. While I’m thinking foreign flicks, check out the character Marcel from Belle de Jour by Bunel. Rupert Pupkin (King of Comedy) has more elements of sociopathic behavior than half the people on this list.. Did anybody remember Tommy Udo? Kiss of Death? That’s just off the top of my head.
Nurse Ratched (head nurse) in One Flew Over the Cukoo’s NEst.
No Clockwork Orange?You’re kidding me, right?
Another vote for Mr. Bateman from American Psycho, that guy was just nuts.
It is a damn crime that Patrick Bateman From American Psyco is not on this list.<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O-hUkO13Fy8&hl=en"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O-hUkO13Fy8&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
No Christian Bale from American Psycho? That’s crazier than anything these characters have done..
Come on… Mickey from Natural Born Killers?
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@I would also add Robert Mitchum AND Al Pacino’s as Max Cady in the Cape Fear movies.I agree with you man, Al Pacino is awesome.
How about James Bond?
Macaulay Culkin in the Good Son should at least make honourable mention list.
Macaulay Culkin? Watch more movies if you think he should be on this list
How about James Gandolfini as Virgil in True Romance…
I hate all of you.
William Foster in Falling Down
Top 8 Movie Sociopaths – video…
It’s hard to admit it, but we are always very entertained by sociopaths in movies. Maybe it’s something in our DNA which finds nutters fascinating.
by David Schwartz at hecklerspray.com…
In no particular order, Richard Widmark, Peter Lorre, Jimmy Cagney. Henry Fonda could play a mean whacko. Mitchum makes DeNiro look like the Community Theater ham. Either Bette Davis or Joan Crawford could scare the nuts off of King Kong. Edward G. Robinson, Barbara Stanwyck, Louise Fletcher, Robert Blake for In Cold Blood…
the problem with you is you are extremely biased, and also fucking stupid. you would not hold up a proper argument with anyone due to the fact you cannot be persuaded, you are too stubborn and fucking stupid to see both sides. i cant say anything more, you are just plain fucking retarded. now dont bother writing back, i have nothing more to say to you. save some face, and dont write back, please.
FRANK BOOTH!
Wow… Kevin Spacey in Seven didn’t make this list? The man played the character like a genius and made me believe he was fucking crazy! Thought he was doing the world a favor and opening peoples eyes. THAT is a sociopath!
what about the joker from the film "the dark knight"
I don’t think some of you know what a sociopath is. Google it. A sociopath is narcissistic, charming, manipulative, ruthless, and lacks empathy for the people he exploits or hurts. Hans Gruber fits this. Kevin Spacey in the usual suspects is classic. Also, Matt Damon in The Talented Mr. Ripley.
A psychopath is a more severe form of sociopath such as Hannibal Lecter or American Psycho.
Just for the record, Al Pacino was not in Cape Fear. The original starred Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum, and the remake starred Nick Nolte and Robert DeNiro.
a professional sociopath will never get into a fight with a man on the street they are very wise mentally.they just cant feel guilt.
eat my shit cocksuckers
What about MAX CADY (Robert Deniro) from CAPE FEAR?
Jack Torrence IS NOT a sociopath. He was driven to kill because he slowly became insane as a result of the spirits in the hotel. He does not meet the diagnostic criteria for antisocial personality disorder.
Vincent from Collateral, or any of the Grammaton Clerics from Equilibrium
I think Patty McCormack as Rhoda Penmark deserves at least an honorable mention! Groundbreaking, from 1956, it might be the first honest attempt at sociopathology in cinema. She got an Oscar nomination, in fact.
Sorry, while I do like the list for the most part, I believe a few of the choices are not sociopaths but rather psychopaths. #1 in particular is a psychopath. There is actually a difference between both.