Jon Bernthal Reveals His Pick for Cinema’s Most Chilling Villain

Jon Bernthal has built a reputation for bringing a remarkable range of characters to life, from Marvel’s brooding vigilante The Punisher to soldiers, lawmen, gangsters, and even a Greek hero in Christopher Nolan’s forthcoming adaptation of The Odyssey. His knack for authenticity, including a convincing Greek accent, has set him apart. Yet, despite his affinity for intense roles, Bernthal’s ventures into horror have been rather limited. His closest brush with the genre came in the early days of The Walking Dead, where his character wasted little time before embarking on a questionable relationship amid the chaos of a zombie outbreak.

In a 2017 interview with The Independent about his role in Wind River, Bernthal discussed the impact an actor can have, even with minimal screen time. His character in that film meets an early demise, but Bernthal was unbothered by the brevity of his appearance. He explained that a powerful performance does not require centre stage, referencing a particular example from a celebrated thriller.

Unforgettable Impact in Limited Time

Bernthal pointed to Ted Levine’s portrayal of Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs as a masterclass in making every moment count.

“What Ted Levine did with his portrayal of Buffalo Bill, there wasn’t much screen time, but it was absolutely haunting,”

he remarked.

“Everyone talks about Anthony Hopkins in that film, which was obviously great, but what Ted did, he created the most horrifying character in the history of film in five or six minutes on film.”

While most discussions about Jonathan Demme’s adaptation of Thomas Harris’ novel focus on Anthony Hopkins’ Dr Hannibal Lecter, Bernthal’s attention is drawn elsewhere. Hopkins’ performance is widely regarded as one of the finest villains in film, yet he is not the main antagonist. That distinction belongs to Jame ‘Buffalo Bill’ Gumb, an unsettling figure who kidnaps women and keeps them captive in a pit before skinning them. Levine’s depiction is every bit as disturbing as his more famous co-star’s, if not more so. The infamous scene where Buffalo Bill applies makeup and dances to ‘Goodbye Horses’ remains one of the film’s most unnerving moments.

Recognition and Oversights

The Silence of the Lambs achieved a rare feat at the Academy Awards, sweeping major categories including Best Picture—still the only horror film to do so. Director Jonathan Demme, screenwriter Ted Tally, and stars Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster all took home Oscars. Yet, Ted Levine’s contribution went unrecognised by the Academy, with not even a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Some might argue his limited screen time was a factor, but history shows that even briefer performances have been acknowledged, such as Hermione Baddeley’s nomination for just over two minutes on screen.

Without Levine’s chilling interpretation of Buffalo Bill, the film would lack much of its enduring power. Bernthal’s praise highlights how a truly memorable character can be crafted in just a handful of scenes, leaving a mark that lingers long after the credits roll.