Buzz
Books centered on Hitler often outsell those about Churchill for a reason. When evil is presented through the abstraction of words or visuals, kept at a safe distance rather than in our immediate reality, it becomes far more intriguing than tales of virtue.
These 10 individuals rank among history's most malevolent—tyrants, murderers, and even stockbrokers—yet their atrocities have inspired gripping, thought-provoking films that delve into the nature of evil. Watching these movies might offer insights into recognizing and steering clear of real-world malevolence. Or maybe not, but they remain exceptional films regardless.
Adolph Hitler — Downfall (2005)
Any list of this nature must begin with the most notorious figure of all: Adolph Hitler, the architect of modern genocide.
While numerous impactful films about Nazis exist, Downfall stands out as a personal favorite. Rooted in firsthand accounts and factual accuracy, it immerses viewers in the führerbunker, the subterranean refuge where Hitler, his companion, and his inner circle spent their final days. This no-frills, fact-based approach avoids moralizing or embellishment, as the raw reality of Hitler and his accomplices is more chilling than any fictional portrayal.
Where to stream: Hoopla, Kanopy
John Wayne Gacy — Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes (2022)
John Wayne Gacy, the infamous serial killer, is a figure of pure horror. He maintained a facade of normalcy—married, managing a KFC, selling shoes, and participating in community organizations—while secretly torturing and killing 33 young boys in his Chicago suburban home. Adding to the nightmare, he entertained children at parties dressed as a clown. Shudder.
This documentary series meticulously details the timeline, events, locations, and methods of Gacy’s crimes, yet it struggles to uncover the elusive why. Even hearing Gacy recount his own story fails to provide clarity, likely because no rational explanation exists.
Where to stream: Netflix
Idi Amin Dada — The Last King of Scotland (2006)
Idi Amin Dada, the Ugandan dictator, ranks among the most ruthless leaders of modern times. Forest Whitaker’s Oscar-winning performance in The Last King of Scotland reveals that Amin’s control over Uganda wasn’t solely rooted in fear. Like many tyrants, he wielded a magnetic charm, masking his cruelty with a jovial demeanor until it was too late to flee. The film serves as a stark reminder of the seductive danger posed by autocrats, especially to those who naively trust in the goodness of others.
Where to stream: Starz, DirecTV
Elizabeth Bathory — Chastity Bites (2013)
Elizabeth Bathory, a Hungarian aristocrat, is infamous for allegedly torturing and killing up to 650 individuals. According to her accusers, she targeted young girls, believing that bathing in their blood would preserve her youth. Chastity Bites is a horror-comedy that takes this legend and runs with it, imagining Bathory’s beauty ritual succeeded, allowing her to survive into modern times. In the film, she exploits high school chastity programs to ensure her victims remain virgins. Despite its low budget, this underappreciated gem delivers sharp humor, clever commentary, and a satirical take on societal obsessions with purity, beauty, and materialism prevalent in 2013 America.
Where to stream: Tubi, FreeVee
Jordan Belfort — The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
While Jordan Belfort may not rank among history’s most evil figures—he’s more of a small-time scammer who struck gold—The Wolf of Wall Street transforms his fraudulent stock schemes into a larger-than-life spectacle. This vibrant, wildly entertaining film highlights the destructive consequences of unchecked greed and moral bankruptcy, emblematic of capitalist excess. Belfort’s story serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor misdeeds, when multiplied, can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
Where to stream: Prime Video, Paramount+, Epic, DirecTV, Showtime
Ed Gein and Elmer Wayne Henley — Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Ed Gein, the Plainfield Ghoul, inspired iconic horror characters like Norman Bates from Psycho and Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre, setting the template for countless slasher villains. Director Tobe Hooper combined Gein’s deranged chaos with the calculated brutality of Houston serial killer Elmer Wayne Henley to craft the horrifying Sawyer family. Among the many horror films I’ve seen, Texas Chainsaw Massacre remains the most terrifying and unrelenting.
Where to stream: FuboTV, Paramount+ Showtime, AMC+, Tubi, DirecTV, Shudder
Various — The Act of Killing (2013)
If you’re up for a chilling exploration of humanity’s darkest evils, The Act of Killing is a must-watch. This documentary delves into the lives of individuals responsible for the massacre of over a million people in Indonesia during the mid-1960s. Shockingly, these perpetrators were never punished; instead, they were celebrated and integrated into the government. Decades later, these death squad leaders remain infamous figures, revered yet feared by many.
The film challenges these men to reenact their atrocities as cinematic scenes. Their vanity and ignorance prevent them from realizing they’re being asked to confront their actions. They portray themselves as heroes, but the process of self-reflection through art forces them to grapple with their horrifying past.
Where to stream: Hulu, Roku, Hoopla, Tubi, Fandor, Pluto
Tomas de Torquemada — Witchfinder General (1968)
In Witchfinder General, Vincent Price delivers a hauntingly subdued performance, drawing inspiration from the notorious Tomas de Torquemada, the Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition.
The film portrays the so-called religious figures as ruthless opportunists rather than true believers. Neither the inquisitors, their victims, nor the onlookers genuinely believe in witches or heresy. Instead, they are driven by greed and power, willing to kill for even the slightest gain—a reality far more terrifying than any supernatural threat.
Where to stream: Hoopla
Vlad the Impaler — Nosferatu (1922)
Vlad the Impaler, also known as Vlad Dracula, ruled Wallachia from 1448 to 1462, earning his infamous nickname through acts of unimaginable brutality. During his reign, he was responsible for the deaths of roughly 20% of the population, employing horrifying methods such as boiling people alive, forcing parents to consume their children, and impaling victims on spikes from their lower bodies to their mouths.
Vlad’s legacy inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which became the foundation for countless vampire films. However, Nosferatu’s portrayal of the bloodthirsty creature diverges from the suave, aristocratic image popularized by Bela Lugosi. Instead, it presents a grotesque, monstrous figure, mirroring the true nature of Vlad. Despite being a century old, Nosferatu remains a timeless and terrifying masterpiece, with F.W. Murnau’s shadowy, expressionist visuals creating an unparalleled atmosphere for the Dracula mythos.
Where to stream: AMC+, Roku, Hoopla, Tubi, Kanopy, Redbox, DirecTV, Shudder
Al Capone — The Untouchables (1987)
While movies often romanticize organized crime, portraying mobsters as stylish antiheroes, figures like Al Capone represent the darkest side of criminality. Organized crime doesn’t just violate laws—it undermines the very fabric of legal systems that maintain societal order.
The Untouchables avoids glorifying Capone’s actions, instead focusing on the efforts of straight-laced lawman Elliott Ness and his team. Despite their lack of flair, the film compels viewers to root for these unlikely heroes as they pursue justice, even if their most significant charge against Capone is tax evasion.
Where to stream: HBO Max, DirecTV
