10 Amazing 21st-Century Movie Villains Who Aren’t Spoken About Enough
8. Lamia – Stardust
If you were to look up the definition of ‘underrated’ in the cinematic dictionary, Stardust would almost certainly fit that description. With a star-studded cast, superb action, an engaging story, as well as boasting a strong hero, there is an even stronger villain afoot in Michelle Pfeiffer’s Lamia.
Pfeiffer’s villainous witch is a real bright spark in an already sparkling film. Her craving and longing for eternal youth led her on a wild goose chase to capture and kill Claire Danes’ fallen star Yvaine for her much-revered heart that will grant Lamia her wish. By far the most powerful witch present in Stormhold, she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty. Lamia’s complete disregard for her sisters is characteristic of her selfish intentions to claim all that power for herself, regardless of how ruthless she must be to succeed in her mission.
Michelle’s magnetism is present in a truly magical performance where the actor’s trademark beauty, personality and vigour are on full display to create a concoction of what is required to craft a memorable villain. Inhabiting such an illustrious company consisting of Hollywood giants Peter O’Toole, Robert De Niro and many others, Pfeiffer truthfully makes the film and role her own in a part it feels she was born to play.