Viewers frequently turn to dramas for intensity and heart-pumping plot lines. But a true drama isn't complete unless it has at least one character who sends chills down audiences' spines. These characters can either be loveably loathsome or just plain detestable.
They usually rely on thinly veiled threats and manipulation to get what they want. In the most disturbing scenarios, they even resort to violence and torture to crush their enemies. Although they may be fictional, these intimidating characters still manage to strike genuine fear in anyone who witnesses their dastardly deeds.
10 Henry Mesner Was A Diagnosed Psychopath
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Audiences are used to seeing diagnosed psychopaths in crime dramas, but a psychopathic child is a whole different scenario. Although he was only 10 years old, Henry Mesner in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit sent chills down everyone's spines.
The way Mesner was able to convincingly imitate empathy to get away with his crimes is downright unsettling. His innocent act allowed him to physically and mentally torment his sister Ruby for years. Even when he was sentenced to a juvenile detention center at the end of the episode "Born Psychopath," he fooled his parents into thinking he was distraught. In reality, Henry felt nothing, making his reactions even more stomach-churning.
9 No One Wanted To Be On Terry Milkovich's Bad Side
Shameless
Terry Milkovich's abuse of alcohol and erratic behavior made him a force to be reckoned with in Shameless. His violent rages were unpredictable, and during his blackouts, he often did reprehensible things.
After drinking heavily, Terry impregnated his own daughter Mandy without even realizing it. When his son Mickey pursued a romantic and sexual relationship with Ian, audiences were terrified of Terry's inevitable discovery. His subsequent physical abuse as a way to "straighten" Mickey out for his sexual orientation was bone-chilling. No matter what scene he was in, Terry consistently brought a nightmarish presence to Shameless.
8 Akito Sohma Was Her Family's Worst Nightmare
Fruits Basket
Although Akito Sohma was shrouded in mystery for a majority of Fruits Basket, her ultimate reveal was notable and foreboding. Her mental and sometimes physical abuse of her family was unrelenting and incredibly toxic.
The control Akito had over Kyo was particularly menacing, as she used his own feelings of insecurity to keep him under her thumb. When she felt Tohru becoming too close to the Sohmas, she made it a point to threaten her into keeping her distance. With a malicious smile to top it off, Akito was truly a terrifying antagonist.
7 Walter White Went From Chemist To Killer
Breaking Bad
Walter White was the ultimate anti-hero in Breaking Bad, but just because fans rooted for him didn't mean he was admirable by any means. Despite his motivations to help his family, Walter could be absolutely menacing and he frequently resorted to committing nightmarish acts.
Walter's intimidating presence was palpable when he dealt with those weaker than him. When he put Declan and his cronies in their places, he ordered them to say his name. As they parroted his name back to him, they were stricken with fear. Audiences realized that when it came to Walter, they were dealing with someone completely without limits.
6 Pablo Escobar's Elaborate Murders Were Nearly Unstoppable
Narcos
The portrayal of Pablo Escobar in Narcos truly highlighted what a manipulative and antagonistic villain the real-life Escobar was. In the series, his faux friendliness with authorities and business partners could turn on a dime whenever he wanted. People who were once considered his allies could easily be gunned down or blown up on his command.
One particularly memorable scene was when Escobar convinced Jamie Carrera he would improve life for his family if he played a role in one of his operations. Escobar was incredibly convincing with his empathy, when in reality he knew Jamie was a pawn used to blow up a plane full of innocent people. His ambitions to lead his narcotics-trafficking business knew no bounds, cementing him as a malicious and power-hungry drug lord.
5 Aunt Lydia Had All Of The Handmaids Under Her Thumb
The Handmaid's Tale
In a world where it was dangerous for the average woman to even speak, Aunt Lydia proved to be one of the most menacing authority figures in The Handmaid's Tale. Her brutal methods for educating the handmaids served to bolster her own power in a society that exploited women for their reproductive capabilities.
While her presence was more unsettling than anything, Aunt Lydia quickly became violent when punishing outspoken subordinates. When Janine disrespected her during a lesson, Aunt Lydia shocked her with a rod and later removed her eye. Aunt Lydia's commitment to holding up the ideals of Gilead turned her into a shockingly volatile character.
4 Frank Underwood Was Meticulous In His Hunt For Power
House Of Cards
From his introduction, Frank Underwood was meticulously ruthless in his climb to political power. In House of Cards, he frequently spoke in an unsettling drawl that always seemed like he was about to snap at any moment.
Frank's uncomfortably soft-spoken way of speaking contrasted heavily with his malicious acts. His manipulation of Zoe Barnes convinced her that he was an ally until it was too late. When Zoe began to realize Frank's true nature, he immediately sent her to her death by pushing her in front of a train. Frank's under-handed methods and unpredictability revealed he was a greedy viper at his core.
3 Nate Jacobs Psychologically Torments His Peers
Euphoria
Nate Jacobs may seem like a dreamy bad boy in HBO's Euphoria, but underneath his charming smile is a deeply disturbed individual. Nate has no qualms about manipulating the people around him to get what he wants, even if that includes revenge.
Moreover, Nate resorts to physical and psychological abuse if he feels threatened. In Season Two, he breaks into Maddy's home and holds her at gunpoint in order to retrieve a DVD of his father engaging in sexual relations with a minor. The scene is terrifyingly quiet as Nate clearly enjoys mentally toying with Maddy while she and the audience are scared out of their wits. Nate's vengeful methods are nothing short of terrifying in the series.
2 Vee Parker Manipulated Everyone To Stay In Charge
Orange Is The New Black
Yvonne "Vee" Parker undoubtedly possessed a no-nonsense attitude in Season Two of Orange is the New Black. But it wasn't long before viewers discovered her emotionless demeanor also extended to a severe lack of empathy.
Before she was incarcerated, Vee resorted to manipulation tactics and murder to stay on top of her drug trafficking business. When she entered Litchfield, she immediately tried to coerce Taystee and the other inmates to act as her subordinates. When she didn't get what she wanted, she used violence and attempted to isolate those who were causing her problems. She had no qualms about playing with people's lives and mental health for her own gain, making her an ominous opponent for anyone to be trapped with.
1 Cersei Played Power Games With People's Lives
Game Of Thrones
In a series with numerous powerhouse characters, Cersei Lannister stood out from the crowd in Game of Thrones. Despite being a woman with limited authoritative power, her devious plots to climb to the top cemented her as a formidable force.
Even when her the odds appeared against her, Cersei always found a way to punish those who crossed her. After the High Sparrow imprisoned her and made a mockery out of her, Cersei conspired with her allies to bring his reign down in an explosion of Wildfire. She enslaved the High Sparrow's subordinate, and she took great joy in revealing the woman would be tortured until her dying days. Cersei kept fans on the edge of their seats, nervously waiting to see what new horror she would unleash upon her enemies.