20 Best Performances In MCU History (So Far)

As the MCU's most recurring villain, Tom Hiddleston's Loki is a beloved fan favourite whose mischievous nature, power-hungry schemes and deeply strained family relationships have made him one of the franchise's most complex figures.

The son of Laufey the Frost Giant, Loki was adopted as a baby by Odin and raised as Thor's brother, and spent much of his life living in his sibling's shadow. After learning the truth of his birth and Odin's deception, Loki became a villain intent on taking over Asgard and destroying his brother.

As this arc went on, Loki went through numerous changes, each portrayed brilliantly by Hiddleston, who wastes no time capturing the god's betrayed anguish, uncertainty and loss with every scene he gets.

Whether he's a time travelling hero, a torturous villain, a scheming bully or a brother unable to properly articulate or act on his feelings, Hiddleston portrays Loki as a man of multiple layers, each complimenting the other and never feeling out of place. Scene-stealers don't get much bigger than this.