10 Surprise Movie Villain Reveals Everyone Hated

4. Khan (Benedict Cumberbatch) - Star Trek Into Darkness

Star Trek Into Darkness Benedict Cumberbatch Khan
Paramount Pictures

The word "surprise" is admittedly used rather scarcely here, given that even the most casual Star Trek fan was well aware that Star Trek Into Darkness' villain John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch) was actually a new iteration of Trek legend Khan Noonien Singh.

Director J.J. Abrams loves his mystery box, though, and refused to admit the true identity of Cumberbatch's baddie pre-release, doubling down on the Harrison shtick all the way to the film's release.

But Abrams' firm denials only made the eventual Khan reveal mid-way through the film feel that much more academic and underwhelming.

Even if you can accept the fan service-infused insanity of Khan introducing himself to Kirk (Chris Pine) like his name should mean something, the reveal is ultimately emblematic of the film's wider issue.

It has an unhealthy tether to the past, as evidenced by Abrams spending most of the movie "homaging" the key beats from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

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