10 Smartest Horror Movie Villains

4. Count Dracula

While it's an area that is generally underdeveloped when it comes to modern tellings of the Dracula story, his life before death was one marked by academic and military brilliance. He was an alchemist with a "mighty brain, a learning beyond compare, and a heart that knew no fear and no remorse... there was no branch of knowledge of his time that he did not essay" in Stoker's own words. He was cunning, clever and dangerously committed to the black arts.

That's where the spark behind his eyes comes from as a vampire. Sure, he's seductive in a sort of intoxicating, supernatural way, but his wit and conniving brain plays a major part too. He's also vastly knowledgable, having amassed cunning and wisdom over centuries, and it is implied that his mastery of death if partly thanks to his intellect and not just his dealing with the Devil. Almost as if he's literally so clever he simply knows how not to die (aside for his weaknesses, obviously).

Dracula is no mere monster - he's able to exist in refined society, is steeped in ages of culture and is loquacious despite his fits of passion. Except in Blade: Trinity, where he's just rubbish.