Think Heroes Always Win? 10 Movies Where Bad Guys Get the Last Laugh

We all love a good underdog story, the kind where a hero rises above all odds, faces insurmountable challenges, and comes out victorious in the end. However, sometimes filmmakers love to toss a curveball our way, and they let the bad guys have their day in the sun.

1. No Country for Old Men (2007)

The Coen Brothers always know how to surprise us, and this film is no exception. Set against the stark Texas landscape, this cat-and-mouse game sees Llewelyn Moss on the run from the eerie and emotionless killer, Anton Chigurh.

While we hope and pray for Moss's survival, in the end, Chigurh walks away, leaving us all a bit unsettled.

2. Seven (1995)

David Fincher’s chilling thriller sees two detectives, played by Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, hot on the trail of a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi.

You’d think with such a strong duo, they'd have it solved, right? Nope. The film concludes with one of the most gut-wrenching finales ever. The "what’s in the box?" line became notorious.

3. The Usual Suspects (1995)

Directed by Bryan Singer, this neo-noir film gives us one of the greatest plot twists in movie history. Most of it unfolds from the perspective of Verbal Kint, a small-time crook with a limp and a seemingly harmless demeanor. He weaves a tale of a heist gone wrong, treachery, and the omnipotent Keyser Söze.

By the time the detectives realize they've been played, it's too late. The limp disappears, and Verbal walks away, leaving behind the legendary line: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."

4. Arlington Road (1999)

This film plays on post-Oklahoma City bombing paranoia. Jeff Bridges' character, Michael Faraday, is already scarred by the loss of his FBI-agent wife in a botched operation. So when he starts suspecting his new neighbors of plotting something sinister, it feels personal.

The narrative plays on our own doubts — is Faraday just paranoid, or is there a real threat? The climax is a gut-punch, as Faraday realizes the horrifying truth too late. It's a tragic tale of misdirection and the dangers of underestimating those close to us.

5. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Star Wars fans, you have to admit, in this installment, the bad guys really do come out on top. Darth Vader reveals his true identity to Luke, our heroes are in shambles, and Han Solo gets frozen in carbonite. Sure, it sets things up for a grand comeback in Return of the Jedi, but for the moment, the dark side reigns supreme.

6. Rosemary's Baby (1968)

In Roman Polanski's iconic horror classic, Mia Farrow plays the unsuspecting Rosemary who, after moving into a peculiar apartment building, begins to experience nightmarish occurrences.

By the end, we realize the full gravity of her sinister neighbors’ intentions, and it's safe to say things don’t end well for Rosemary or her baby. The devilish undertones here give the baddies one heck of a win.

7. Avengers: Infinity War ( 2018)

A significant departure from the typical triumphant superhero narrative, Infinity War shows us a universe where the villain might just have the last say. Thanos, the Mad Titan, is on a mission to obtain all Infinity Stones, aiming to "balance" the universe by wiping out half of all life.

Despite the combined might of Earth's mightiest heroes and cosmic allies, Thanos manages to snap his fingers, culminating in one of the most shocking and heart-wrenching cliffhangers in cinema history. The heroes are left defeated, and audiences had to wait with bated breath for the resolution.

8. There Will Be Blood (2007)

While not a traditional "villain wins" tale, this Daniel Day-Lewis classic showcases the transformation of its protagonist into a ruthless oil tycoon.

By the end of the film, his greed, ego, and lust for power consume him, leading to a dark and chilling final act. The last scene is especially haunting, leaving viewers questioning who really won.

9. Primal Fear (1996)

Edward Norton made quite the cinematic entrance in this courtroom drama. He plays a stuttering altar boy accused of murder, with Richard Gere as his defense attorney.

Just when you think the movie has shown all its cards, a last-minute revelation about Norton’s character turns everything on its head, making us realize that the real puppet master was hiding in plain sight all along.

10. Fight Club (1999)

Another entry from the genius mind of David Fincher. Fight Club has become iconic for its portrayal of disillusionment and rebellion against consumer culture.

But the story spirals into chaos. The climax, revealing the true identity and relationship between Norton and Pitt’s characters, leaves us stunned. Though not a conventional villain, Durden's chaotic ideologies ultimately dominate the narrative.