All 9 Dwayne Johnson Movie Villains, Ranked Worst To Best

In an acting career that has spanned the past quarter-century, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has been primarily known for playing heroic lead characters, although in some instances he has switched things up and played the villain. Most notably, in the earlier days of his career, Johnson played several significant villains and, during his time as a WWE professional wrestler, would also take part in more villainous narratives. While Johnson usually liked to be the one who saved the day, it was always a treat to watch him embrace his darker side as a movie villain.

From iconic portrayals like The Scorpion King in The Mummy franchise to lesser-known villainous outings in action, comedy, and even espionage movies, Johnson has proved on several occasions he had what it took to play a convincing villain. With a brooding and muscular physique, Johnson had the presence and wherewithal to make even the bravest of heroes quake in their boots, so it’s a shame he does not show it off that often. While collectively Johnson’s villain roles may not represent the absolute pinnacle of his filmography, they still made up some of his most interesting and memorable parts.

9

The Mugger

Longshot (2001)

Although Dwayne Johnson has made a name for himself playing heroes in movies, the earliest days of his career were filled with more villainous roles. Johnson’s brooding physique and impactful presence meant he looked like he had the potential to be a terrifying force to be reckoned with. While this can be seen in his larger roles, it was also just as effective during his cameo appearance as a mugger in the little-known comedy Longshot, which also featured Britney Spears, NSYNC, and Kenny Rogers in small roles.

A mostly forgotten film from the earliest days of Johnson’s acting career, Longshot pointed to him being typecast as a villain archetype. A failure with audiences and critics, Longshot was a thinly veiled marketing campaign to promote the acting careers of several up-and-coming pop stars and was best forgotten. Johnson only showed up for a few seconds, and it stood as not only his worst villain role but also one of the worst movies in Johnson’s entire catalog.

8

Elliot Wilhelm

Be Cool (2005)

Be Cool was a disappointing sequel to the 1995 movie Get Shorty that featured Dwayne Johnson as the gay aspiring actor and bodyguard Elliott Wilhelm. Sadly, Be Cool lacked the satirical bite of its predecessor, and while it stood as one of Johnson’s few villainous roles, the homophobic japs towards his LGBTQ+ character that were made throughout the film have aged terribly. Be Cool received overwhelmingly negative reviews when it was released and its attempt to satirize the music business fell flat on its feet as this subpar PG-13-rated movie was too tame for adults and too raunchy for kids.

However, in his role as Elliott Wilhelm, Johnson did exhibit some great comedic timing and star potential, although the quality of Be Cool was brought down by a mediocre script, it was easy to see why Johnson was finding great success in Hollywood. Despite having a villainous role, Johnson was likable in Be Cool, as his eye-brow-raising signature move was on full display. Overall, Be Cool was a lackluster entry in Johnson’s infrequent outings as a villain that should be avoided in place of its much stronger predecessor Get Shorty.

7

Agent 23

Get Smart (2008)

The classic Mel Brooks TV series Get Smart received an underwhelming and unimaginative adaptation in 2008 where Dwayne Johnson had a rare opportunity to play a main antagonist. In this story of bumbling spies who were tasked with preventing a terrorist attack from a rival agency, Johnson played Agent 23, an operative who initially appeared to be working for CONTROL but was later revealed to be a double agent for the rivals KAOS. This bait-and-switch was a rare chance for Johnson to show off his range, although Get Smart lacked the nuance needed to make this reveal feel truly impactful.

Get Smart was a spy comedy film that added nothing new to the genre and was so packed to the rafters with cliches and tropes that it completely lost touch with what made the older TV show so fun. However, Get Smart was also full of incredible star power that included Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Alan Arkin, and Bill Murray, so even if every joke didn’t land, enough of them did that it wasn’t a complete waste of time. Overall, Get Smart was just fine, and Johnson worked well for the part that he played.

6

Paul Doyle

Pain & Gain (2013)

Pain & Gain was a Michael Bay action comedy that told a story based on the activities of the real-life Sun Gym Gang where Dwayne Johnson played an ex-con named Paul Doyle who was unwittingly drawn into a kidnapping plot. A violent black comedy, Pain & Gain contrasted the torturous horrors of its real-life story with an upbeat humorous script in a flawed film that remained oddly entertaining. A nice change of pace from the over-the-top spectacle of so many other Bay movies, Pain & Gain was a unique entry in the blockbuster filmmakers’ filmography.

As an opportunity for Johnson to play a villain, Pain & Gain mostly failed, and instead of coming across as frightening and sinister, his character mostly appeared as exploitable and gullible. Pain & Gain was the story of an extortion ring gone awry and the devastating consequences of this for a trio of Florida bodybuilders, and in the process, it highlighted the pure stupidity of its characters with comedic power. Pain & Gain was no masterpiece, but Johnson was a joy to watch, and here he showcased a new, albeit stupider, side to villainous output.

5

Sarge Mahonin

Doom (2005)

Although it was a box-office bomb, Doom stood as an enjoyable video game movie adaptation where Dwayne Johnson played the main antagonist Sarge Mahonin, the squad team leader infected with C24 serum and granted superhuman powers. Johnson’s role in Doom was an interesting one as throughout the film he progressed from a hero to a villain due to the impact of the mutation-causing serum. As an imbittered and aggressive character, Doom was an opportunity for Johnson to showcase his darker side in a way he rarely had before.

Reportedly, Johnson was originally offered the main hero role of John Grimm, which later went to Karl Urban, but turned it down in favor of playing Sarge (via CBR), whose darker side was more drawn to. While Doom can be criticized for its lack of plot, character development, and dialogue, it was also an ambitious video game movie that succeeded in presenting some good mindless fun and mimicked the outrageous nature of the original game. An enjoyable entry in Johnson’s career, Doom stood as a noble failure.

4

Jimmy Cullen

Faster (2010)

An intense revenge story, Faster starred Dwayne Johnson as Jimmy Cullen, a small-time crook on a quest to avenge his brother’s death while evading a corrupt cop played by Billy Bob Thornton. A powerful action-thriller that contained the sensibilities of a neo-noir, Faster was more intelligent than its over-the-top aesthetic first indicated, but its non-stop intensity and fast-paced narrative meant that its similarities with the noir genre were fast forgotten. As a compelling ex-con on a mission for vengeance, this was a rare performance by Johnson showcasing a darker side after he had already solidified his leading man hero persona.

While Faster received mixed reviews from critics and only grossed just over $35 million against its $24 million budget (via Box Office Mojo), it was an enjoyable change of pace for Johnson that showcased his skill at portraying more sinister and bloodthirsty characters. With a simple and straight-to-the-point narrative about Cullen, also known as the Driver, looking for revenge, Faster was an action movie for those who liked their thrills quick and their chase sequences intense. Overall, Faster proved that when Johnson wanted to, he had what it took to play into his darker side.

3

Black Adam

Black Adam (2022)

Dwayne Johnson’s foray into the world of superhero movies was a highly anticipated cinematic event that was made even more interesting as he was portraying the DC Comics villain Black Adam, an adversary of Shazam. Black Adam was a role that Johnson was associated with for many years, and as an origin story for the character it was set to introduce him to the DC Extended Universe, alongside Shazam, Batman, and Superman. Black Adam starred Johnson as an ancient superhuman who was released from his magical imprisonment after thousands of years.

While the reception to Black Adam was mixed, Johnson was well cast in the role and truly embodied the part of the long-suffering former slave who was imbued with the powers of multiple Egyptian gods. A true villain in DC Comics, Black Adam was given a sympathetic backstory in his 2022 origin film, and if he were to reappear in subsequent DCEU movies he would be a viable antagonist against other DC heroes. While the future of Black Adam has not been confirmed, it stood as a major entry in Johnson’s infrequent portrayal of villainous and morally questionable characters.

2

Luke Hobbs

Fast Five (2011)

The inclusion of Dwayne Johnson in the Fast & Furious movie Fast Five injected new life into the long-running franchise and his character of Luke Hobbs became a figure of real significance. Although in subsequent films in the series Luke Hobbs would transform from an antagonist to a hero, in Fast Five he was a clear villain for Dominic Toretto and Brian O’Conner, as he sought to arrest them while they planned a heist to steal $100 million. As a former bounty hunter turned US Marshall, Hobbs was a character of great intrigue on both sides of the law.

Hobbs was the Fast & Furious series’ best villain as Johnson’s charm and charisma made him one of the most compelling characters across the entire franchise. While initially a devoted enforcer of law and order, after a close brush with death, Hobbs decided to side with Toretto and let him escape, opening the door for him to appear in subsequent movies. Following his first antagonistic appearance, Hobbs was in the majority of later Fast & Furious movies, and even led a spin-off film, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.

1

Mathayus / The Scorpion King

The Mummy Returns (2001)

The very best Dwayne Johnson villain role was not just the first time he played a villain, but was actually his first movie role ever as Mathayus in The Mummy Returns. As Johnson’s breakout role which showcased his viability as an actor outside his career as a WWE professional wrestler, The Mummy Returns was a major contributor to Johnson gaining mainstream recognition. Through his portrayal of Mathayus, an ancient warrior known as the Scorpion King who sold his soul to defeat his enemies, Johnson proved he had the charisma and charm to make it in Hollywood.

The Mummy Returns was not Johnson’s only stint as Mathayus, as Johnson reprised his role in the prequel The Scorpion King the following year, which served as his very first starring role in a movie. While The Mummy and its sequels and spin-off movies received a mixed reception at the time of their release, they have since garnered a cult following, and Johnson’s role as Mathayus stood as a beloved part of the action-adventure franchise. Johnson’s role was so effective that it launched an entire series of Scorpion King sequels which recast Dwayne Johnson in the title role.

Sources: CBR, Box Office Mojo