Psychos, Killers and Creeps: 24 Actors Who've Taken on Terrifying Roles

Mar. 15, 2025

Charlie Hunnam as Ed Gein; Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter; Lupita Nyong’o as Red.Photo:BACKGRID; Ken Regan/Orion/Kobal/Shutterstock; Universal Pictures

BACKGRID; Ken Regan/Orion/Kobal/Shutterstock; Universal Pictures

When it comes to playing villains, these actors understood the assignment.Stars includingEvan Peters,Charlize Theron,Lupita Nyong’oandJames McAvoyhave all undergone serious transformations in an effort to bring some of the creepiest characters in cinema history to the big screen.For his part role as Jeffrey Dahmer inMonster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Peters revealed he wore Jeffrey Dahmer’s shoes, jeans and glasses for months, and also put weights on his arms to mimic the killer’s walking style. Oscar-winning actresses Charlize Theron and Lupita Nyong’o had to undergo some intense physical transformations for their roles as Aileen Wuornos and Red, respectively, as well.Below, see some of the actors who have taken on terrifying roles.

When it comes to playing villains, these actors understood the assignment.

Stars includingEvan Peters,Charlize Theron,Lupita Nyong’oandJames McAvoyhave all undergone serious transformations in an effort to bring some of the creepiest characters in cinema history to the big screen.

For his part role as Jeffrey Dahmer inMonster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Peters revealed he wore Jeffrey Dahmer’s shoes, jeans and glasses for months, and also put weights on his arms to mimic the killer’s walking style. Oscar-winning actresses Charlize Theron and Lupita Nyong’o had to undergo some intense physical transformations for their roles as Aileen Wuornos and Red, respectively, as well.

Below, see some of the actors who have taken on terrifying roles.

01of 24Charlie Hunnam as Ed GeinCharlie Hunnam as Ed Gein; Ed Gein.BACKGRID; Bettmann/GettyCharlie Hunnamwill be turning off the charm and turning on the creeps: TheSons of Anarchyalum isslated to playnotorious serial killer Ed Gein in the third installment of Ryan Murphy’sMonsteranthology.

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Charlie Hunnam as Ed Gein

Charlie Hunnam as Ed Gein; Ed Gein.BACKGRID; Bettmann/Getty

BACKGRID; Bettmann/Getty

Charlie Hunnamwill be turning off the charm and turning on the creeps: TheSons of Anarchyalum isslated to playnotorious serial killer Ed Gein in the third installment of Ryan Murphy’sMonsteranthology.

02of 24Evan Peters as Jeffrey DahmerEvan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer; Jeffrey Dahmer.Courtesy Of Netflix; EUGENE GARCIA/AFP via GettyBefore Hunnam,Evan Petersstepped into the shoes of another scary killer forMonsterback in 2022, playing Jeffrey Dahmer. And while Peters was apprehensive about taking on the role at first, hisrelationship with Murphyultimately made him feel safe enough to accept. The pair previously worked together onAmerican Horror Story.

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Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer

Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer; Jeffrey Dahmer.Courtesy Of Netflix; EUGENE GARCIA/AFP via Getty

Courtesy Of Netflix; EUGENE GARCIA/AFP via Getty

Before Hunnam,Evan Petersstepped into the shoes of another scary killer forMonsterback in 2022, playing Jeffrey Dahmer. And while Peters was apprehensive about taking on the role at first, hisrelationship with Murphyultimately made him feel safe enough to accept. The pair previously worked together onAmerican Horror Story.

03of 24Daniel Zovatto as Ronald AlcalaDaniel Zovatto as Rodney Alcala; Rodney Alcala mugshot.Leah Gallo/Netflix; Orange County District AttorneyDaniel Zovattorecently made waves for his portrayal of Ronald Alcala in the Anna Kendrick-directedWoman of the Hour.The film was based on true events, following Cheryl Bradshaw, a young woman who went onThe Dating Gameback in 1978 and was unknowingly matched with the serial killer.Though Bradshaw never went on the date with Alcala, he is suspected to have murdered as many as 130 victims throughout the 1960s and 1970s before finally being brought to justice.Tali ShapiroandMorgan Rowanare the onlypublicly known survivorsof Alcala’s attacks.

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Daniel Zovatto as Ronald Alcala

Daniel Zovatto as Rodney Alcala; Rodney Alcala mugshot.Leah Gallo/Netflix; Orange County District Attorney

Leah Gallo/Netflix; Orange County District Attorney

Daniel Zovattorecently made waves for his portrayal of Ronald Alcala in the Anna Kendrick-directedWoman of the Hour.The film was based on true events, following Cheryl Bradshaw, a young woman who went onThe Dating Gameback in 1978 and was unknowingly matched with the serial killer.

Though Bradshaw never went on the date with Alcala, he is suspected to have murdered as many as 130 victims throughout the 1960s and 1970s before finally being brought to justice.

Tali ShapiroandMorgan Rowanare the onlypublicly known survivorsof Alcala’s attacks.

04of 24Charlize Theron as Aileen WuornosCharlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos; Aileen Wuornos.Mdp/New Market/Kobal/Shutterstock; AP Photo/News-JournalCharlize Theron’s turn as serial killer and prostitute Aileen Wuornos in 2003’sMonsterwas so gripping, the South African-born actress walked away with the Academy Award for Best Actress the following year.

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Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos

Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos; Aileen Wuornos.Mdp/New Market/Kobal/Shutterstock; AP Photo/News-Journal

Mdp/New Market/Kobal/Shutterstock; AP Photo/News-Journal

Charlize Theron’s turn as serial killer and prostitute Aileen Wuornos in 2003’sMonsterwas so gripping, the South African-born actress walked away with the Academy Award for Best Actress the following year.

05of 24Allison Williams as Rose ArmitageDaniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams in ‘Get Out’.Universal PicturesRose’s switch-up from sweet, loving and caring girlfriend to cold-hearted killer midway throughGet Outis one of the most jaw-dropping turnarounds in the Jordan Peele thriller, and we haveAllison Williamsto thank.The 2017 movie was, of course, an Oscar-nominated blockbuster, a feat Williams saidshe knew it would achieve prior to filming.

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Allison Williams as Rose Armitage

Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams in ‘Get Out’.Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

Rose’s switch-up from sweet, loving and caring girlfriend to cold-hearted killer midway throughGet Outis one of the most jaw-dropping turnarounds in the Jordan Peele thriller, and we haveAllison Williamsto thank.

The 2017 movie was, of course, an Oscar-nominated blockbuster, a feat Williams saidshe knew it would achieve prior to filming.

06of 24Isabelle Fuhrman as EstherIsabelle Fuhrman in ‘Orphan’.Silver Pictures/Kobal/ShutterstockIsabelle Fuhrman’s incredible portrayal of Esther in 2009’sOrphanwas so riveting, it had people questioning her age in real life.In the film, Fuhrman plays Esther, a 33-year-old woman from Estonia who pretends to be a nine-year-old orphan and tricks an innocent family into adopting her (and chaos ensues). And while she was only 10 when she played the role, the internet found her portrayal almosttooconvincing.

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Isabelle Fuhrman as Esther

Isabelle Fuhrman in ‘Orphan’.Silver Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock

Isabelle Fuhrman’s incredible portrayal of Esther in 2009’sOrphanwas so riveting, it had people questioning her age in real life.

In the film, Fuhrman plays Esther, a 33-year-old woman from Estonia who pretends to be a nine-year-old orphan and tricks an innocent family into adopting her (and chaos ensues). And while she was only 10 when she played the role, the internet found her portrayal almosttooconvincing.

07of 24Lupita Nyong’o as RedLupita Nyong’o as Red ‘Us’ Film.C Barius/Universal/ILM/Kobal/ShutterstockWhat really elevatedLupita Nyong’o’s role as Red in Jordan Peele’sUswasn’t just the calculated movements, the haunted eyes, the blood-red jumpsuit, or the messy hair. It was that raspy, throaty voice Lupita crafted for the role that sent chills down moviegoers' spines.

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Lupita Nyong’o as Red

Lupita Nyong’o as Red ‘Us’ Film.C Barius/Universal/ILM/Kobal/Shutterstock

C Barius/Universal/ILM/Kobal/Shutterstock

What really elevatedLupita Nyong’o’s role as Red in Jordan Peele’sUswasn’t just the calculated movements, the haunted eyes, the blood-red jumpsuit, or the messy hair. It was that raspy, throaty voice Lupita crafted for the role that sent chills down moviegoers' spines.

08of 24Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal LecterAnthony Hopkins ‘The Silence Of The Lambs’.Ken Regan/Orion/Kobal/ShutterstockSir Anthony Hopkinswill forever be associated with his indelibly frightening portrayal of cannibal killer Hannibal Lecter in 1991’sSilence of the Lambs.

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Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter

Anthony Hopkins ‘The Silence Of The Lambs’.Ken Regan/Orion/Kobal/Shutterstock

Sir Anthony Hopkinswill forever be associated with his indelibly frightening portrayal of cannibal killer Hannibal Lecter in 1991’sSilence of the Lambs.

09of 24Zac Efron as Ted BundyZac Efron as Ted Bundy in ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile’.Voltage Pictures; Bettmann/GettyIn 2019, theformer teen heartthrobfollowed up a slew of comedic roles witha very sinister role. TheHigh School Musicalalumportrayedreal-life serial killer Ted Bundy in Netflix’sExtremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. The film chronicled Bundy, whokilled 30 womenbetween 1973 and 1978, through the eyes of his longtime girlfriend Elizabeth Kloepfer.

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Zac Efron as Ted Bundy

Zac Efron as Ted Bundy in ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile’.Voltage Pictures; Bettmann/Getty

In 2019, theformer teen heartthrobfollowed up a slew of comedic roles witha very sinister role. TheHigh School Musicalalumportrayedreal-life serial killer Ted Bundy in Netflix’sExtremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. The film chronicled Bundy, whokilled 30 womenbetween 1973 and 1978, through the eyes of his longtime girlfriend Elizabeth Kloepfer.

10of 24Bill Skarsgärd as PennywiseGetty Images; Warner Bros.You sure can do a lot with clown makeup. The actor, whose genetically gifted family includes brothersAlexanderand Gustaf, was unrecognizable as terrorizing clown Pennywise inIt,the hit adaptation of Stephen King’s classic novel of the same name.

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Bill Skarsgärd as Pennywise

Getty Images; Warner Bros.

You sure can do a lot with clown makeup. The actor, whose genetically gifted family includes brothersAlexanderand Gustaf, was unrecognizable as terrorizing clown Pennywise inIt,the hit adaptation of Stephen King’s classic novel of the same name.

11of 24Ross Lynch as Jeffrey DahmerRoss Lynch as Jeffrey Dahmer.Daniel Katz; Bureau of Prisons/GettyLynch took a big step away from his Disney Channel past inMy Friend Dahmer,about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer’s adolescence. The film’s real-world subject killed and dismembered 17 young men before his 1994prison death.

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Ross Lynch as Jeffrey Dahmer

Ross Lynch as Jeffrey Dahmer.Daniel Katz; Bureau of Prisons/Getty

Daniel Katz; Bureau of Prisons/Getty

Lynch took a big step away from his Disney Channel past inMy Friend Dahmer,about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer’s adolescence. The film’s real-world subject killed and dismembered 17 young men before his 1994prison death.

12of 24Jamie Dornan as Paul SpectorEverettDornaninduced shivers as Irish serial killer Paul Spector in Netflix’sThe Fallfrom 2013 to 2016. In 2015, he evenadmitted to stalking a womanin preparation for the role.

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Jamie Dornan as Paul Spector

Everett

Dornaninduced shivers as Irish serial killer Paul Spector in Netflix’sThe Fallfrom 2013 to 2016. In 2015, he evenadmitted to stalking a womanin preparation for the role.

13of 24Jeremy Renner as Jeffrey DahmerJeremy Renner as Jeffrey Dahmer; Jeffrey Dahmer.Courtesy Everett; Marny Malin/Sygma via GettyTheAvengersstarhad a decidely less heroic role in 2002’sDahmer, which explored the life of the infamous serial killer.

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Jeremy Renner as Jeffrey Dahmer

Jeremy Renner as Jeffrey Dahmer; Jeffrey Dahmer.Courtesy Everett; Marny Malin/Sygma via Getty

Courtesy Everett; Marny Malin/Sygma via Getty

TheAvengersstarhad a decidely less heroic role in 2002’sDahmer, which explored the life of the infamous serial killer.

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Evan Peters as James Patrick March

15of 24Jake Gyllenhall as Louis BloomEverettGyllenhaalwent full creep in 2014’sNightcrawler. His character Louis Bloom is a socipathic con man who becomes obsessed with the violent world of crime journalism.

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Jake Gyllenhall as Louis Bloom

Gyllenhaalwent full creep in 2014’sNightcrawler. His character Louis Bloom is a socipathic con man who becomes obsessed with the violent world of crime journalism.

16of 24Freddie Highmore as Norman BatesEverettThe former child star portrayed Norman Bates, the iconic killer from Alfred Hitchcock’sPsycho, for five seasons.

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Freddie Highmore as Norman Bates

The former child star portrayed Norman Bates, the iconic killer from Alfred Hitchcock’sPsycho, for five seasons.

17of 24James McAvoy as Multiple CharactersJohn Baer/UniversalMcAvoyportrayed a man with 23 different personalities in the 2016psychological thriller,Split. At least one of these personalities decides to kidnap three young teenage girls and hold them hostage in an underground facility.

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James McAvoy as Multiple Characters

John Baer/Universal

McAvoyportrayed a man with 23 different personalities in the 2016psychological thriller,Split. At least one of these personalities decides to kidnap three young teenage girls and hold them hostage in an underground facility.

18of 24Michael C. Hall as Dexter MorganEverettHallplayed Miami’s premiere blood splatter analyst/ serial killer, Dexter Morgan, from 2006 to 2013. The fact that Morgan only took out his bloodlust on fellow killers made him only slightly less horrifying.

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Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan

Hallplayed Miami’s premiere blood splatter analyst/ serial killer, Dexter Morgan, from 2006 to 2013. The fact that Morgan only took out his bloodlust on fellow killers made him only slightly less horrifying.

19of 24Matt Damon as Tom RipleyEverettDamoncommits murder and steals an identity as the 1999 film’s con man Tom Ripley inThe Talented Mr. Ripley,but his charisma and good looks allow his dark side to escape most people’s notice.

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Matt Damon as Tom Ripley

Damoncommits murder and steals an identity as the 1999 film’s con man Tom Ripley inThe Talented Mr. Ripley,but his charisma and good looks allow his dark side to escape most people’s notice.

20of 24Skeet Ulrich as Billy LoomisEverettUlrich’s teenage character ends up being one of the monsters behind the Ghostface mask in the 1996’sScream.

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Skeet Ulrich as Billy Loomis

Ulrich’s teenage character ends up being one of the monsters behind the Ghostface mask in the 1996’sScream.

21of 24Cillian Murphy as Jackson RippnerEverettMurphy’s Jackson Rippner inRed Eyeensures Rachel McAdams' character Lisa has the worst flight ever in the 2005 film. While seated next to her on the plane, Jackson reveals that he’s taking Lisa’s father hostage and will kill him unless she helps him assassinate a politician.

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Cillian Murphy as Jackson Rippner

Murphy’s Jackson Rippner inRed Eyeensures Rachel McAdams' character Lisa has the worst flight ever in the 2005 film. While seated next to her on the plane, Jackson reveals that he’s taking Lisa’s father hostage and will kill him unless she helps him assassinate a politician.

22of 24Mads Mikkelsen as Hanibal LecterEverettMikkelsen played fictional killer cannibal Hannibal Lecter (ofSilence of the Lambsfame) for three seasons of NBC’sHannibal.

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Mads Mikkelsen as Hanibal Lecter

Mikkelsen played fictional killer cannibal Hannibal Lecter (ofSilence of the Lambsfame) for three seasons of NBC’sHannibal.

23of 24Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver ThredsonEverettIn season 2 ofAmerican Horror Story,Quinto’sDr. Oliver Thredson turns out to be psychotic killer Bloody Face. The villiain’s hobbies include skinning his victims and wearing the resulting material as a mask.

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Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Thredson

In season 2 ofAmerican Horror Story,Quinto’sDr. Oliver Thredson turns out to be psychotic killer Bloody Face. The villiain’s hobbies include skinning his victims and wearing the resulting material as a mask.

24of 24Christian Bale as Patrick BatemanEverettBale’s psychopathic yuppie Patrick Bateman terrorizes New York in 2000’sAmerican Psycho,based on Bret Easton Ellis' novel.

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Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman

Bale’s psychopathic yuppie Patrick Bateman terrorizes New York in 2000’sAmerican Psycho,based on Bret Easton Ellis' novel.

source: people.com