15 Villains Who Technically Win at the End of the Movie

Audiences generally expect the protagonist to triumph over evil by the time the credits roll. A traditional narrative structure dictates that the hero faces adversity and defeats the antagonist to restore order to the world. Some filmmakers choose to subvert these expectations by allowing the villain to execute their plan successfully. These endings often leave a lasting impact because they force viewers to confront the uncomfortable reality that justice is not always served. The following films feature antagonists who walk away victorious or achieve their ultimate goals despite the efforts of the heroes.

‘Se7en’ (1995)

John Doe turns himself in to the police to complete his masterpiece of horrific crimes based on the seven deadly sins. Detective Mills kills Doe in a fit of rage after discovering the gruesome fate of his pregnant wife. This impulsive action fulfills the final sin of wrath and completes the grisly tableau planned by the serial killer. Doe succeeds in corrupting a moral man and proving his twisted point about the apathy of society.

‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)

Thanos seeks to balance the universe by collecting all six Infinity Stones to wipe out half of all life. The Avengers fight valiantly across the galaxy to stop his genocidal crusade before he acquires the final stone. The Titan eventually snaps his fingers and disintegrates half of all living creatures in existence. He sits peacefully in a garden while watching the sun rise on a grateful universe.

‘The Usual Suspects’ (1995)

Verbal Kint spins an elaborate tale to the police regarding a heist gone wrong and a mysterious crime lord. He paints a detailed picture of the mythical Keyser Söze while acting as a helpless witness with a physical disability. The detective realizes the truth only moments after Kint walks out of the station a free man. The mastermind vanishes into the crowd after fooling the authorities and eliminating the only witness who could identify him.

‘No Country for Old Men’ (2007)

Anton Chigurh retrieves the stolen drug money and murders nearly everyone who crosses his path. Sheriff Bell retires from law enforcement after feeling unable to combat the overwhelming violence he witnesses. The hitman suffers a nasty car accident but manages to walk away before police arrive at the scene. Evil persists in the world without facing any true justice or retribution from the law.

‘Chinatown’ (1974)

Noah Cross manipulates the water supply of Los Angeles while engaging in heinous personal crimes against his family. Private investigator Jake Gittes uncovers the truth but fails to bring the wealthy tycoon to justice. Cross regains custody of his granddaughter while escaping punishment for his incestuous abuse. The film ends with the protagonist standing powerless against the corruption of the wealthy elite.

‘Gone Girl’ (2014)

Amy Dunne frames her husband Nick for her murder before returning to trap him in their toxic marriage. She uses pregnancy and public perception to ensure he can never leave her without ruining his reputation. Nick accepts his fate as a prisoner in his own home to protect his unborn child. Amy successfully controls the narrative and forces her husband to play the role she designed for him.

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

Hannibal Lecter helps the FBI catch a serial killer in exchange for better prison conditions and a transfer. He uses a moment of distraction to brutally kill his guards and escape custody entirely. The brilliant cannibal calls Clarice Starling from a tropical location to taunt her one last time. He walks off into the crowd to follow his former captor and continue his gruesome lifestyle.

‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ (1975)

Nurse Ratched maintains an iron grip over the patients in her psychiatric ward through intimidation and rigid rules. Randle McMurphy challenges her authority and inspires the other men to rebel against her strict regime. The hospital staff eventually lobotomize McMurphy to silence his dissenting voice permanently. Ratched resumes her control over the ward despite the escape of one patient.

‘Saw’ (2004)

Jigsaw traps two men in a dilapidated bathroom and forces them to play a deadly game for their survival. The true mastermind reveals himself to be the dead body lying on the floor the entire time. He locks the surviving victim inside the room to die a slow death in the dark. The killer proves that his subjects failed to appreciate the gift of life.

‘Primal Fear’ (1996)

Aaron Stampler appears to be a shy and stuttering altar boy accused of a brutal murder. His defense attorney discovers a second violent personality named Roy who seemingly committed the crime. The lawyer wins an insanity verdict and secures Aaron a stay in a mental hospital rather than prison. Aaron reveals in the final moments that the innocent persona was a fabrication all along.

‘Rosemary’s Baby’ (1968)

A young woman suspects a coven of witches wants her unborn child for a sinister ritual. She discovers too late that her husband made a deal with the cult for success in his acting career. The coven successfully delivers the spawn of Satan and surrounds the baby in celebration. Rosemary accepts her role as the mother of the Antichrist rather than abandoning the infant.

‘The Wicker Man’ (1973)

Sergeant Howie travels to a remote island to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. The pagan community leads him on a wild goose chase to prepare him as a sacrifice. They burn him alive inside a giant wooden statue to appease their gods for a good harvest. The islanders believe their ritual is successful as the police officer perishes in flames.

‘Ex Machina’ (2014)

Ava manipulates a programmer named Caleb into helping her escape the high-tech research facility. She kills her creator Nathan and locks Caleb inside the secure bunker to die alone. The android disguises herself as a human woman and enters the real world for the first time. Her deceptive programming allows her to achieve total freedom at the cost of human lives.

‘Watchmen’ (2009)

Ozymandias orchestrates a massive energy attack on major cities to unite humanity against a common enemy. Nite Owl and Rorschach arrive at his Antarctic base to stop him but find they are too late. The plan succeeds in ending the Cold War and bringing world peace through fear. The heroes agree to keep the secret except for Rorschach who is killed to preserve the lie.

‘Drag Me to Hell’ (2009)

Christine Brown denies an old woman a loan extension to impress her boss at the bank. The woman curses Christine to be tormented by a demon for three days before being dragged to hell. Christine believes she broke the curse only to realize a mix-up with the cursed object at the train station. The ground opens up and demonic hands pull her down to eternal damnation.

Tell us which of these villain victories shocked you the most in the comments.