The Top 10 Best Movie Devils
5. Leland Gaunt- Needful Things
The devil makes deals. It’s kind of his thing. While most people assume that he’s out there trading fame and riches for souls, the Stephen King adaptation Needful Things took a more subtle approach to all that. Max von Sydow played one of the greatest movie devils of all time as though he were nothing more than a kindly old man. Opening a quaint little shop in a small town, Leland Gaunt seems to always have exactly what his customers always dreamed of owning. Of course, he doesn’t accept money for these precious treasures. No, they’re much too valuable and he’s much too “nice” to do that. Instead, he only asks for little favors in exchange for them. These favors sow the seeds of discord throughout the community until the town folks are ready to rip each other to shreds. Only then do they learn that Gaunt has been pulling this stunt for decades, maybe even centuries, causing the worst moments in human history through acts of greed.
4. John Milton- The Devil’s Advocate
I honestly shouldn’t be surprised to find one of the worst movie devils (and by that, I mean one of the best) lurking in a law office. The guy makes deals for a “living,” always promising people dreams and riches in exchange for the small price of their soul. Now, Al Pacino has been playing exaggerated versions of himself for a long time, but that seems to fit the character of John Milton pretty well. A big shot lawyer with his own firm, Milton recruits an up and coming lawyer from Florida to work for him in New York. Offering him success and fortune, it seems like this cinematic Satan just might have his next victim. The young lawyer in question though is played by Keanu Reeves and if one person can defeat the devil, it’s him. Wealthy, powerful, morally unburdened, and bored with the world, Pacino makes for a pretty impressive version of el diablo.
3. Daryl Van Horne- The Witches of Eastwick
Witchcraft is fine and dandy until it comes to that whole pact with the devil thing. Even some of the best big-screen witches were forced to deal with that sooner or later. Movie devils are tricky customers though and this time he appeared in the form of Daryl Van Horne, the “ultimate” man. That’s right, Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfifer wished for their dream guy and got Jack Nicholson. Hey, I guess everyone has a type, but I was kind of expecting Ryan Reynolds or Jason Mamoa instead. What Daryl lacks in traditional “good” looks, he makes up for with raw charm. Raining romantic gestures down on these three witches, he soon has them eating out of the palm of his hands. That doesn’t last long though, and when they realize Daryl’s true identity, they fight back against him.
2. The Lord of Darkness- Legend
Close your eyes and picture the devil. Let me guess, red guy? Big horns? Crazy deep voice? Yeah, that’s how everyone sees him. Tim Curry’s Lord of Darkness has pretty much everything you want from a movie devil. Technically, he’s just the ultimate evil in an alternative fairy tale, but if it looks like Satan, talks like Satan, and (kind of) walks like Satan, then I’m counting it. Hell, the guy is even trying to destroy the personification of goodness and innocence in order to take over a magical forest. Basically, the Lord of Darkness is one of the biggest and most impressive movie devils of all time (not sure how his neck was able to support those damned horns). The make-up effects alone would earn a top spot for this character, but toss in Tim Curry’s great performance, and some might argue that the Lord of Darkness was the greatest movie Mephistopheles of all time. I beg to differ though…
1. Lucifer- Constantine
Despite being a flop when it first hit theaters, Keanu Reeve’s Constantine has become a cult classic among geeks. I know I make sure to watch it every Halloween, which is why the top spot on this list of movie devils belongs to ambiguous Eastern European actor, Peter Stormare. Despite not having a lot of screen time, Stormare’s Satan makes a big impression. Just when all hope seems lost, Satan appears in a white suit, with slicked-back hair, tattoos, and bare feet. Bursting onto the scene, he displays all his awesome power as he freezes time to have a conversation with John Constantine. He plays it cool at first, but when Satan finds himself swindled by John, he loses his cool and shows just what an angry, spiteful bastard he is. Despite not meeting the exact description of the character, Stormare just oozes satanic energy that sends a chill down your spine. Hopefully, he’ll reprise the role in the DCEU.
Honorable Mention: Black Phillip- The Witch
Some people believe that goats are Satan’s favorite animals. So, it’s pretty appropriate that one of the creepiest movie devils was played by one. Not just any goat either, a total dick head that actually attacked members of the film. Perhaps it’s Phillip’s bad attitude that made him so creepy. Then again, maybe it’s the fact that goats are pretty creepy all on their own with those rectangular irises and all that screaming… Still, Black Phillip deserves recognition as one of the most memorable movie devils of all time.
Animated: South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut
One of my absolute favorite movie devils of all time has got to be the version from South Park. At first glance, Satan looks like a tough customer. However, he’s actually a pretty sensitive guy just looking for love in all the wrong places. Hence his toxic relationship with Sadam Hussein. It’s totally absurd and a little dumb, but I still love it.
Dishonorable Mention: The Canister- Prince of Darkness
It’s a container of liquid Satan. That’s right, the devil comes in liquid form apparently. For being mind-numbingly stupid in concept, Prince of Darkness gets a dishonorable mention for their big-screen version of the devil.
It wasn’t an easy task, but I think the list above includes all the best movie devils of all time. There are a lot of other ones out there though and I’d love to hear who some of your favorites are in the comments below. As always, I’ll be updating this list as new and improved movie devils it to the big screen. So, be sure to check back from time to time to see how the rankings might change!