While Denzel Washington is best known as a charismatic leading man, the 69-year-old superstar has build his career by taking on a multitude of different roles – including some great movie villains. Compared to some actors, Denzel Washington’s villain roles are relatively few and far between. Nevertheless, even though the actor has only played six true villains in his career to date, he has still made his mark as a cinematic antagonist, creating some of the most notorious bad guys in screen history.

Much of Denzel Washington’s success has come from portraying morally nuanced characters. Even some of his more typically heroic roles contain elements of darkness, such as “Whip” Whittaker in Flight and John Creasy in Man on Fire. Even Washington’s prominent franchise roles, such as The Equalizer, are not always straightforwardly “good“. However, even ignoring these more morally ambiguous characters, there are six more clear-cut Denzel Washington villains that really stand out in the actor’s impressive career.

6

Tobin Frost

From Safe House (2012)

Like many of Denzel Washington’s best roles, Tobin Frost toes the line between villain and protagonist. On the one hand, Frost is caught up in a complex conspiracy theory about corruption affecting global intelligence agencies. On the other, he is a self-confessed criminal, responsible for killing innocent people and pursuing his own interests. Even though he ultimately redeems himself by sacrificing himself to save Ryan Reynolds’ Matt Weston, Frost initially flees the scene and confesses to assassinating a whistleblower. For this reason, while he is by no means an out-and-out evil-doer, Tobin Frost ranks as one of the few Denzel Washington villainous characters.

Although the character’s internal conflict makes him an interesting protagonist, Tobin Frost is held back from ranking too highly by a combination of his good disposition and Safe House‘s story. Despite being a malign influence previously, Frost is not the true villain of the piece, with other characters even torturing him as the narrative progresses. While he allows Washington to exercise his villain muscles, Frost is simply too empathetic to be considered an iconic bad guy.

5

Joe Deacon

From The Little Things (2021)

Much as Tobin Frost variously flips between hero and villain, Joe Deacon is another example of how Washington thrives when portraying morally complex characters. For much of the story, which centers around a mysterious murder case, Deacon appears to be the hero – desperately trying to seek answers with his partner. By The Little Things‘ ending, however, it’s clear that his moral compass is much more volatile than it seems.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Deacon is a man consumed by obsession. Not only did he kill a previous survivor of a murder case and conspired to cover it up, but he then proceeded to help his partner conceal his own murder. To top it off, he fabricates evidence, convincing Baxter that he has caught the killer, while his mania ultimately corrupts everyone around him. Once again, Deacon is not a typical, mustache-twirling villain, and The Little Things‘ limitations as a thriller hold the character back. Nevertheless, his malign influence on those around him makes Deacon a worthy inclusion on any list of Denzel Washington villains.

4

John Quincy Archibald

From John Q. (2002)

Perhaps the most sympathetic of Denzel Washington’s villains to date, John Quincy Archibald’s actions are motivated by desperation rather than anything more malevolent. The movie, which proved more popular with audiences than critics, sees Washington’s titular protagonist take a hospital ward hostage in order to secure treatment for his dying son. On one level, his plight is completely understandable. On another, however, his actions still constitute an act of domestic terrorism.

Over the course of the movie, John Quincy Archibald apprehends doctors, nurses, and patients at gunpoint, threatens his hostages with death if his demands are not met, and is found guilty of kidnap and false imprisonment. While many of the hospital patients, and the audience, are sympathetic to his point of view, his criminality is undeniable. Despite being an incredibly sympathetic movie villain, John Quincy Archibald must still be considered a bad actor – for all the empathy he engenders.

3

Frank Lucas

From American Gangster (2007)

While there are aspects of Frank Lucas’ character that make him an admirable, even likable figure, he is ultimately a terrifying and ruthless force. Ridley Scott’s biographical epic shows Lucas committing hideous acts of violence – committing murder in broad daylight, setting victims on fire, and taking out anyone in his way. While he sometimes seems like a glamorous throwback, there’s no doubt that Lucas is a man to be feared.

Unlike lesser genre movies, American Gangster succeeds in underscoring the villainy that runs through Lucas’ story. For all his impressive qualities, Washington’s character is undoubtedly the antagonist of the piece, and is portrayed with suitably steely resolve and single-mindedness. Especially juxtaposed against Russell Crowe’s heroic police detective, Lucas is a baroque and slightly satanic embodiment of organized crime.

2

Macbeth

From The Tragedy Of Macbeth (2021)

One of the most famous villains in cultural history, Denzel Washington’s take on Macbeth benefits from the star’s uncanny ability to find the charisma in the most off-putting characters. Just as in Shakespeare’s original play, The Tragedy of Macbeth sees Washington’s character plot and murder his way to the throne, before eventually meeting his end. However, while some Denzel Washington villains hint at a heroic side to their character, Macbeth sits squarely in the villain camp.

While the impact of his villainy is limited by the story’s familiarity, Macbeth is ruthlessly ambitious, disloyal, and easily corrupted. Not only does he murder the king, but he also frames innocent servants and betrays his former friend Banquo to solidify his position on the throne. As an adaptation, The Tragedy of Macbeth was critically acclaimed, while Washington earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination – highlighting his skill at playing great villains.

1

Alonzo Harris

From Training Day (2001)

Undoubtedly the best-known and most iconic of Denzel Washington’s villains, Alonzo Harris’ reputation is well-justified. The main player in Antoine Fuqua’s 2001 thriller Training Day, Harris’ strength comes from his charisma, which allows him to manipulate almost everyone around him. In fact, it is because he is so beguiling that his ultimately villainy is simultaneously both shocking and effective.

As the drama unfolds, Harris drugs his partner, fabricates evidence, commits murder, and tries to carry out a million-dollar fraud to settle a debt with Russian gangsters, all while leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. For all his charm, he is perhaps the most diabolical Washington villain to date, as well as being one of the most popular. Harris’ celebrated status is typified by the fact that Denzel Washington won his second Academy Award for portraying the character, marking him out as the actor’s best villain role thus far.