Purely Evil Fictional Serial Killers We Hate to Love

Hannibal Lecter – Silence of the Lambs: The OG serial killer who enjoyed eating his victims with fava beans and a glass of Chianti. Terrifying, deadly, and yet incredibly charming, it’s tough to beat this guy in the serial killer ranks.

A witty and kind of loner-y forensic expert by day and a vigilante serial killer by night, Dexter’s code of killing only the guilty makes him oddly (and a bit awkwardly) heroic. His inner struggle and darkly humorous narration made it easy for audiences to root for him, right up until the end.

The seemingly shy and awkward motel owner who just can’t seem to cut the cord with his overbearing mother (literally or figuratively). His chilling split personality and eerie charm kept audiences both fascinated and horrified, though maybe more the latter.

A terminally ill mastermind who creates twisted (read: psychotic) games to test their will to live. Oh, and if it made audiences question their own morals in the process, well, I guess all the better. His calm demeanor and rather complex philosophy make him more than villain and something like a compelling anti-hero.

Take a charming bookstore manager with a knack for social media stalking and give him a warped sense of love. It’s what makes Joe’s obsession terrifyingly relatable. His rationalizations and inner monologues give audiences a pretty unsettling glimpse into his twisted mind, making it hard not to be captivated by his story.

The burned and razor-gloved dream invader turns nightmares into deadly reality. Freddy’s dark humor and one-liners make him disturbingly charismatic which is really saying something for a guy who looks like he was put through the absolute ringer.

Not a whole lot of charm or charisma with this one. But Michael’s a silent and relentless killer with a haunting mask. And his unstoppable nature makes him both terrifying and iconic. You almost have to love how much you respect the utter perseverance to keep killing.

The third in the trifecta of serial killers who emerged in the 1980s horror scene. Jason Vorhees is the hockey-masked juggernaut who stalks Camp Crystal Lake. Sure, the tragic backstory and relentless pursuit of his victims add a layer of pathos, making audiences both fear and sympathize with him.

Two serial killers from the same movie? You bet. And you better put the lotion in the basket. The disturbed killer who skins his victims to create a woman suit, Buffalo Bill’s eerie combination of vulnerability and monstrosity is deeply unsettling.

Look, sometimes serial killing begets serial killing. That’s just the way it is in Dexter especially. Arthur Mitchell’s a seemingly normal family man who hides his true nature as a ritualistic serial killer. The dual life is both horrifying and intriguing.

The vengeful barber who turns his victims into meat pies, Sweeney Todd’s tragic backstory and dark charisma make him a fascinating (and musical) anti-hero. Haunting songs and grim determination are enough for us.

A grief counselor by day and a meticulous killer by night (nice pairing). Paul Spector’s duality is chilling and compelling. His calm, composed exterior masks a deeply disturbed psyche. I mean he is a killer after all.

The chainsaw-wielding maniac with a mask made of human skin, Leatherface’s raw brutality and eerie silence make him a nightmarish figure. His twisted family dynamics and unrelenting ferocity keep audiences horrified yet morbidly fascinated.

Ah, a serial killer who is just a lot of serial killers combined into one. Genius. No wonder we root for the guy. Ghostface taunts his victims with horror movie trivia before striking. His blend of wit and brutality makes him uniquely terrifying.

It’s hard to say we really love this guy unless by love, we mean we are absolutely terrified of him. The relentless hitman with a chillingly calm demeanor and a deadly coin toss, Anton Chigurh’s unwavering sense of fate and justice makes him terrifyingly compelling.

The sadistic and unpredictable gangster who oscillates between terrifying violence and bizarre tenderness, Frank Booth’s unhinged behavior is both repulsive and mesmerizing. His menacing charm and volatile personality keep audiences riveted and disturbed in equal measure.

Is that Gwyneth’s head in a box? The meticulous and morally twisted killer who bases his murders on the seven deadly sins, John Doe’s chilling logic and calm demeanor make him hauntingly memorable. He’s barely in the movie, but when he is, you can’t forget him.

The sadistic outback hunter who preys on unsuspecting tourists, Mick Taylor’s charming Australian persona and brutal tactics make him a uniquely horrifying villain. His twisted sense of humor and relentless cruelty keep audiences on edge and morbidly fascinated by his deadly games.

The seemingly shy and bullied camper who hides a dark and (very, very) murderous secret, Angela Baker’s transformation from victim to killer is both shocking and intriguing. Her unsettling revenge and the infamous twist ending make her an underrated but pretty darn captivating figure in the slasher genre.

An innocent and sweet orphan coming to live with you? Not so much. She turns out to be a manipulative adult, rought. Esther’s cunning and ruthlessness make her terrifyingly compelling. Her ability to deceive and orchestrate chaos makes you rethink the whole process.

Don’t ever wrong an artist because you’ll end up getting a vengeful spirit who kills those who summon him. Candyman’s eerie charisma, poetic vengeance, tragic backstory and haunting presence make him a complex and pretty mesmerizing figure. Don’t say his name three times.

The spoiled and deranged aristocrat whose murderous spree is driven by boredom and a twisted sense of entitlement, Dandy Mott’s blend of charm and psychopathy is both terrifying and intriguing. His unrestrained madness and flamboyant demeanor keep audiences horrified yet captivated by his every move.

Not all serial killers need to come from the modern day. Heck, some can even come from Westeros. Ramsay Bolton was the sadistic nobleman who revels in torture and cruelty, Ramsay Bolton’s ruthless ambition and twisted sense of humor make him a villain audiences love to hate.

Also, not all serial killers need to be the “bad guy” either. By the strict definition, a serial killer is someone who kills following a pattern. The Punisher fits the bill .A vigilante driven by the tragic loss of his family, Frank Castle’s relentless pursuit of justice through brutal methods makes him a complex anti-hero.

Speaking of anti-heros. The rebellious and charismatic couple on a cross-country killing spree, Mickey and Mallory Knox’s chaotic love story and anti-establishment ethos captivate audiences. Twisted romance media-fueled notoriety, and brutal violence sum up this pair.

Definitely not an anti-hero here. The Grabber’s eerie charm and unsettling calmness make him a terrifying figure. His psychological manipulation, torment of children, and sinister games keep audiences on edge.

Going a bit old school here. A charming yet malevolent preacher who marries widows for their money and then murders them, Harry Powell’s manipulative charisma, chilling ruthlessness, and creepy (but cool as hell) tattoos, make him a serial killer we are obessessed with.

Is it a copout to be a copycat serial killer? Maybe, but it still fits the bill. Peter Foley is a man who idolizes serial killers and wants to be just like them. Dream big kids. If you set your mind to something you can accomplish anything.

Another Hitchcock-ian serial killer, because why not? Bob Rusk is a charming but psychopathic serial killer who strangles women in London, eluding the police while maintaining a seemingly normal life.