8 Times Netflix Made Us Rethink The Villains
From charming antiheroes to morally complex masterminds, Netflix has given us some deliciously wicked characters that left us rooting for the bad guy. Here are eight baddies that redefine what it means to be the “villain.” And we can’t decide whether to love them or fear them.
Netflix has given us some of TV’s most iconic heroes, but some of their most interesting are those that blur the line between good and evil, leaving us questioning our moral compasses. From charming psychos to sassy devils, these eight villains have us rethinking everything we thought we knew about the bad guys.
Joe Goldberg in ‘You’
Joe Goldberg is the ultimate charming psycho. One minute you’re rooting for this quiet, bookish guy, and the next you’re horrified by his stalking and murderous behavior. You messes with your head, making you sympathize with someone who’s clearly dangerous, and it leaves you questioning how far someone might go in the name of love. It’s unsettling, but that’s what makes Joe such a compelling villain.
Lady Whistledown and Cressida Cowper in ‘Bridgerton’
The drama in Bridgerton has us questioning who the real villains are. Lady Whistledown, the ultimate gossip queen, exposes society’s secrets, but she’s also calling out the hypocrisy around her. Then there’s Cressida, the ruthless social climber—sure, she’s a mean girl, but in a world where securing a good marriage is everything, can you blame her for doing whatever it takes? Both characters blur the line between villain and survivor in this high-stakes world.
Yennefer of Vengerberg in ‘The Witcher’
Yennefer of Vengerberg is the friend who makes questionable choices, but you can’t help but root for her. She’s ambitious, power-hungry, and sometimes selfish, but her painful past explains her drive for control. The Witcher shows us the trauma that shaped her, and suddenly, world domination doesn’t seem like such a wild goal. Yennefer’s story reminds us that villains are often shaped by their struggles.
Billy Hargrove in ‘Stranger Things’
Stranger Things introduces Billy Hargrove as a typical ‘80s bully. But the show then throws us a curveball and takes us into his sympathetic past. Beneath his tough exterior, he’s dealing with deep-seated family trauma and, of course, some serious alien possession. By the end, we’re actually feeling for him, a huge shift from where we started. It’s a redemption arc that catches you off guard.
Lucifer Morningstar in ‘Lucifer’
Lucifer turned the Devil himself into a character we couldn’t help but like. He’s witty, charming, full of snark, and yes, he’s got serious daddy issues. The show flips the script, making us wonder if maybe the Devil isn’t all bad after all—certainly not what we learned in Sunday school! Lucifer’s journey to be “good-ish” keeps us hooked, making us see the ultimate villain in a totally new light.
Georgia Miller in ‘Ginny & Georgia’
Georgia is the mom who would do literally anything for her kids—no matter how shady. She’s made some seriously questionable decisions, but her love for her children drives everything she does. Ginny & Georgia keeps us on our toes, constantly switching between cheering her on and shaking our heads. Georgia’s moral tightrope walk leaves us wondering if, in her shoes, we’d do the same.
Susie Glass in ‘The Gentlemen’
Susie Glass walks into The Gentlemen with serious confidence, and it’s clear she runs the show. She’s sharp, fearless, and fully involved in her father’s weed empire, willing to do whatever it takes. The twist? Even though she’s making some morally questionable moves, you can’t help but root for her. Netflix dares us to admire this criminal mastermind — and honestly, we’re all in.
Madam Satan in ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’
Madam Satan is as wicked as they come, but we can’t help cheering her on. With her power, ambition, and killer style, she’s supposed to be the villain, yet she keeps stealing the spotlight. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina makes us question if we’d sell our soul for her level of confidence and style. She may serve the Dark Lord, but she’s the real star of every scene she’s in.