My 5 Favorite 'Criminal Minds' Villains, Ranked by How Disturbing They Are
There were dozens of violent and insane villains on Criminal Minds, but these are the ones I still can't forget.
As a devoted Criminal Minds fan, I've seen many horrifying unsubs, but only a few have made an indelible impression and made me check the locks on my doors.
These five aren't just serial killers – they're masters of psychological horror whose crimes remain etched in my memory, even after many years.
5. Floyd Feylinn Ferell
Ferell is the kind of unsub who makes you feel physically ill. He's not just a killer – he's also a cannibal who has transformed his horrific appetite into a perverted form of Satanic worship. His cruelty is terrifying, but even more so is his cunning and absolute cold-bloodedness.
The idea that he may have served human flesh to customers at his restaurant is an impossible-to-forget, sickening detail.
4. Diane Turner
Sometimes, the most terrifying villains are the ghosts lurking in the shadows. Diane Turner's story is a tragic one that hurts more than any bloody crime because it robs Spencer Reid of his rare chance at personal happiness.
Her twisted obsession with Maeve Donovan, fueled by a wounded ego, destroyed an innocent woman's life.
The BAU team suffered one of the most heartbreaking and personal blows in the entire series when Diane cold-bloodedly murdered Maeve in front of Reid during their first and last meeting.
3. David Wade Cunningham
Cunningham stands out with his unique and sadistic weapon: the rabies virus. His childhood trauma has evolved into an obsession that drives him not to cure the disease, but rather to deliberately infect his victims and watch them die in agony.
This is science fiction come to life – and it's all the more terrifying because the disease is real. He turns medicine into torture and acts like a merciless god, playing with the lives of innocent people.
2. Samantha Malcolm
Samantha Malcolm's crimes are pure psychological horror. Her "dolls" are not just violent – they are a deep and disturbing distortion of what it means to be human.
The idea of being paralyzed by drugs while fully aware of what's happening but unable to move or call for help, as your captor treats you like a toy, awakens primal terror.
Her actions are an attempt to erase the victims' identities, turning living people into silent objects, which is beyond creepy.
1. Billy Flynn
In my opinion, Tim Curry's portrayal of Billy Flynn is the epitome of villainy. He combines supernatural charisma with disgusting cruelty.
Billy Flynn is a nightmare that invades your home – the safest place. And he leaves one witness alive – a person who is morally broken for life.
His personal vendetta against Matt, which culminates in the kidnapping of Matt's daughter and an attempt to make her his successor, demonstrates the frightening depths of his manipulation.
