20 Scariest Female Horror Villains

Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes in Misery (Image via Columbia Pictures)

1. Annie Wilkes (Misery)

You don’t always need claws or evil magic to create a horror movie antagonist. Oftentimes, the most chilling villains are merely human. Perhaps it’s because such a villain reminds you that evil could lurk next door to you. Evil might wear a cozy sweater and teach at your local school. It may smile and wave at you when you go out to get your mail. It could be watching you right now. We like to pretend that we would know of its presence amongst us, somehow. Deep down, though, you know that’s a lie.

At first, Annie Wilkes seems too sweet to be evil. Her neighbors must think she’s too innocuous for anything more tense than her beloved romance novels. But, then, how many of them really now the reclusive nurse? How many of them might guess that she has a famous novelist trapped in her home.

Paul Sheldon, said novelist, ends up in Annie’s clutches after a terrible car crash. Annie rescues him and takes the unconscious Sheldon through a blizzard back to her home. When he awakes, Annie tells him that she’s his “number one fan”. She especially loves his novels featuring Misery Chastain, a Regency woman simultaneously beset by tragedy and romance. Annie tells Paul that help is on the way, though – wouldn’t you know it? – the snow is really slowing things down.

As thanks, Sheldon lets Annie read the first draft of his latest novel. It’s a dramatic departure from his earlier work. Annie hates it. I mean, she really hates it, to the point where things start to get dark.

Sheldon soon figures out that Annie has called no authorities. In fact, no one knows where he is, and Annie certainly isn’t telling. She forces him to write a new Misery novel. She also uses a sledgehammer to encourage Paul to stay in his room and finish the book. It’s deeply terrifying. Watch Misery and Annie Wilkes will haunt your dreams for weeks to come.