Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the shows mentioned.
It’s always a joy for audiences when a series’ plot takes an unexpected turn. From shows like Black Mirror and Westworld, viewers have experienced some of the most incredible surprises on television. One of the more favored twists is often delivered by a calculated antagonist, who is capable of elevating any story.
There is something particularly satisfying about a villain who hides in plain sight, keeping audiences on their toes. When a series accomplishes an intriguing plot and a well-crafted villain’s reveal, it can make for a memorable TV moment. While it is usually criminal dramas that house these unexpected villains, other genres, with a carefully planned story, can often create unforgettable surprises, leaving an impact and adding a layer of thrill. This list contains amazing shows that deliver the best twist villains, keeping fans locked in and adding to the legacy of the most noteworthy moments on TV.
10
‘Erased’ (2017)
Twist Villian: Gaku Yashiro
Erased is an underrated anime series that deserves a lot more attention. The story follows an adult, Satoru Fujinuma, who is struggling as a manga author, but has the unique ability to travel through time. When his mother is brutally murdered, he wields his gifts in order to solve her case. This act leads Saturo towards the daunting task of protecting his childhood friend from an unknown evil.
At the center of the mystery is the seemingly kind-hearted Gaku Yashiro, Satoru’s supportive teacher. While the series gives many hints along with a sense of foreboding surrounding the character, Erased commits fully in trying to mislead its viewers, causing its audiences to doubt what is before their eyes. When the villain is finally revealed, viewers are struck by a mix of disbelief at the realization that they are being gaslit into believing that the villain may not be Yushio after all. This marks the character as one of the more fascinating twist villains due to the series’ tricks.
9
‘The Good Place’ (2016–2020)
Twist Villian: Archangel Michael
The Good Place is a fun mesh of comedic chaos and heartfelt lessons. The show follows the snarky and sarcastic Eleanor, who is also terribly morally flawed, as she somehow mistakenly finds herself in “The Good Place” after her death by shopping carts. As Eleanor attempts to navigate her new afterlife, trying to deceive those around her into thinking she belongs there, she forms positive bonds and through them, slowly becomes a better person.
For the unexpected twist of the show, The Good Place brings forth the often frantic character, Michael, a seemingly ditzy and sweet, archangel, to deliver the shocking TV moment. Michael redefines the events of the entire series up until that moment, with his reveal as a demon who has been psychologically torturing Eleanor and her friends, as they are actually in “The Bad Place.” The reveal adds another layer to the humorous chaos that is The Good Place, leaving it as one of the best shows with a clever and unexpected villain.
8
‘Teen Wolf’ (2011–2017)
Twist Villian: Peter Hale
What a time to be alive, when Teen Wolf played on small screens with a new episode every week, enticing viewers with mystery monsters, humor, and, of course, werewolves. The series surrounds Scott McCall, an ordinary teen turned roaring werewolf, as he navigates his new life, battling supernatural threats and unvailing small-town secrets.
Peter Hale is initially introduced as a victim of severe burns, and immediately audiences are meant to feel sorry for him, as he is also in a terrible physical condition. But while he seems harmless to both audiences and show characters, Peter is actually the alpha werewolf responsible for Scott’s transformation as well as his own family’s tragic circumstances. Teen Wolf’s shocking character reveal adds a villain that boosts the show’s likability, pinning it as a series with a memorable twist antagonist.
7
‘Lost’ (2004–2010)
Twist Villian: Ben Linus
Amidst the mystery of a strange island and the wonder of how its new inhabitants got there, there is the struggle for survival among relative strangers. Lost follows the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, who all find themselves stuck on a seemingly deserted island filled with secrets that lead to more secrets. Among those inhabiting the island stands Henry Gale, claiming to be a fellow victim of unfortunate circumstances.
Lost was in no way lacking in secrets and big reveals, but the eventual outing of Henry Gale actually being Ben Linus is one of the more memorable moments of the series. Ben continues to contribute as a primary antagonist for the rest of the series, and then, oddly enough, transforms into somewhat of an anti-hero. This brings Lost to stand as one of the more intense and thrilling shows due to Ben Linus’ villainy.
6
‘The Flash’ (2014–2023)
Twist Villian: Harrison Wells a.k.a. The Reverse Flash
The Arrowverse continues to live on in the hearts of fans all over the world, and despite its flaws, ranking as one of fans’ guilty pleasures, is The Flash. The story follows Barry Allen, a clumsy forensic scientist turned speedster superhero. Haunted by the murder of his mother, and the imprisonment of his father, Barry is determined to uncover the identity of the man in yellow, the Reverse Flash, and absolve his father’s wrongly accused crimes.
It is later when fans of the show are favoring Barry’s team of friends, picking their favorite of them, that The Flash throws viewers for a loop with the reveal that Harrison Wells, Barry’s most trusted mentor, is actually the Reverse Flash. Fans were left saddened for the young hero. The twist highlights Well’s manipulative and incredibly patient nature, upping the ante in Barry’s journey, and expanding the generic hero and villain storyline.
5
‘Invincible’ (2021–)
Twist Villian: Nolan Grayson a.k.a. Omni-Man
Standing as one of the most loved animated series, Invincible brings its own mess of twists and turns. The show centers around a young Mark Grayson, a half-human, half-viltrumite teen, whose long-time goal is to become a superhero as powerful as his father, Nolan Grayson, popularly known as, Omni-Man. However, the sweet dream comes to an end when Omni-man reveals his villainous ambitions for planet Earth.
It doesn’t take long for viewers to know that something is fishy about Mark’s father, but when the reveal comes abruptly during the final moment of Season 1, Episode 1, where Omni-man brutally kills the Guardians of the Globe, fans are blown away by the event. The scene sets the tone for the rest of the season, keeping fans anxious about what will occur next. Omni-man’s true intentions are eventually revealed throughout the season, delivering more unforgettable twists and turns.
4
‘WandaVision’ (2021)
Twist Villian: Agatha Harkness
WandaVision was a mystery from the very first episode. The beloved Marvel TV series follows Wanda Maximoff, who is drowning in her grief after the death of her love, Vision. Wanda is trapped both physically and metaphorically, as she lives in a world where her grief is gone because her heart has returned to her, along with a few welcome additions. As the season progresses, viewers are left to question the perfect world Wanda seemingly created.
The reveal of Agatha Harkness, a witch secretly orchestrating events in Wanda’s new life, adds a surprising and humorous twist as the reveal is also done through a musical number. Agatha’s iconic song, “Agatha All Along,” leaves another legendary moment for television, adding to WandaVision’s acclaim as a great and twisty series.
3
‘Attack On Titan’ (2013–2023)
Twist Villian: Eren Yeager
Attack on Titan has been known to keep viewers feeling a lot of mixed emotions. From giggling at the monstrous Titans running to cringing in horror as those same Titans devour lingering pedestrians, the gory series follows Eren Yeager and his friends as they battle against those same Titans that threaten their optimistic futures.
Eren’s villainous transformation is a gradual one that leaves fans heartbroken in both the realization and the understanding. Eren’s decision to become an enemy against the entire world in order to save his people, highlights the character’s complexity, giving the audience a mental moral debate. The shocking twist of Eren’s transformation in Attack on Titan adds a suspenseful amount of foreboding and significant depth to the anime series, leaving it as an incredible show that houses one of the best twist villains.
2
‘Squid Game’ (2021–)
Twist Villian: Oh Il-nam
Sometimes humanity’s greed knows no bounds, and this series showcases a game of life and death that exploits one of humanity’s greatest weaknesses and at the same time, stands as one of the most entertaining shows. Squid Game follows impoverished individuals who are forced to participate in deadly games with the promise of immense wealth.
While viewers are made to believe that the lovable character, Oh Il-nam is dead and gone, after he and Seong Gi-hun’s tearful goodbye, the audience were shocked to witness the man still alive, but only just, due to his battle with cancer. Oh Il-nam confesses to being the founder of the horrific games, appalling viewers around the world. Squid Game’s reveal stands as one of the better ones mainly because Oh Il-nam is one of the most beloved characters of the series, who turned out to be a bad guy.
1
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)
Twist Villian: Olenna Tyrell
This fantasy adventure often leaves fans trapped in suspense breath due to the amount of twists and reveals hidden within its story. Game of Thrones follows the nine families’ brutal fight for the Iron Throne. Among them stand fan favorites, the Stark family, and the more subtly favored, the villainous Lannisters family. The story is filled with betrayals and power plays, and among those who participate in the political game for power, is Olenna Tyrell, the mastermind behind King Joffrey’s death by poisoning, also known as one of the most satisfying moments in TV history.
As fans of Game of Thrones may know, Cersei Lannister is not one to be played with, but there are those who are brave enough to stand against her, and, of course, one of them is Olenna. Olenna’s admission to King Joffrey’s assassination during her final moments of life displays her smug cunning and need to one-up Cersei, elevating her to true icon status. The legendary reveal boasts Game of Thrones’ ability to craft a complex villain that delivers, ensuring its high ranking among the best in television history.
