10 Horror Movie Villains Who Were Recruited For Evil
7. Dorian Gray - Dorian Gray (2009)
What would you give to remain young and beautiful forever? Dorian Gray (Ben Barnes) infamously pledged his soul for such gifts in the 2009 film adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s 1890 novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Dorian was originally naïve and innocent upon his arrival in London, but was led astray by Lord Henry Wotton (Colin Firth), who encouraged him to lead a life of excess and debauchery.
When respected artist, Basil Hallward (Ben Chaplin) painted Dorian’s likeness, Gray offered his soul to remain as young as he was. The foolhardy offering was accepted by an unknown power and, whilst the painting reflected the ugliness of Gray’s deeds, Gray himself remained young and untainted by his acts.
Committing the most heinous of acts to protect his secret, Dorian Gray returned to London years later, arousing suspicion in not having aged at all during his years abroad. Genuinely falling in love with Lord Henry’s daughter, Emily (Rebecca Hall), Dorian earned the ire of his former friend, Lord Henry.
Ironically, the same person who encouraged Dorian's hedonistic and dangerous lifestyle also set in motion a chain of events that led Gray to conclude that his life was no longer worth living.
Nevertheless, at the film's conclusion, it is heavily implied that Gray's soul is trapped in a painting that no one will ever look at again, suggesting that he will never be free.