The 10 Best Neo-Noir Movie Villains, Ranked

The best villains from neo-noir movies stand out for their complete disregard for human life, from Cape Fear's Max Cady to Chinatown's Noah Cross.

February 9, 2025 · 1 min · 73 words · Scott Young

Table of Contents

10Captain Dudley Smith - ‘L.A.

The essential neo-noir,L.A.

Aside from her ability to seduce and manipulate, Tramell is a woman of her own means.

The-10-Best-Neo-Noir-Movie-Villains,-Ranked

Image by Federico Napoli

NEXT:The Best New Hollywood Neo-Noirs, Ranked

James Cromwell as Captain Dudley Smith in L.A. Confidential (1997)

Image via Warner Bros.

l-a-confidential-1997-poster-kevin-spacey-russel-crowe-guy-pearce-kim-basinger.jpg

Linda Fiorentino sitting down at a table with a cigarette in her hand looking up at someone standing in front of her in The Last Seduction (1994)

Image via October Films

The Last Seduction 1994 Film Poster

Mrs. Iselin talking to a distressed Raymond, who’s covering his ears, in The Manchurian Candidate - 1962

Image via United Artists

Tom Cruise’s Vincent looking menacingly through a subway window in Collateral.

Image via Dreamworks Pictures

Sharon Stone as Catherine Tramell, seated in a chair in a white dress with her legs folded, in Basic Instinct.

Image via TriStar Pictures

Basic Instinct movie poster

Verbal Kint smoking cigarette in front of parked car in The Usual Suspects

Image via Gramercy Pictures

Kathleen Turner as Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)

Image via Warner Bros.

Frank Booth holding a glass and looking intently ahead in Blue Velvet

Image via StudioCanal

John Huston holding a cigar and talking amiably to Jack Nicholson at a table in a restaurant

Image via Paramount Pictures

The villainous Max Cady in “Cape Fear” stares at his target from behind bars

Image via Universal Pictures

Movie

Chinatown

L.A. Confidential