When the bad guys win you over: 7 movies and shows that celebrate the anti-hero

Not all heroes wear capes — some lie, steal, and even kill, yet somehow, we still find ourselves cheering for them. These are the anti-heroes — flawed, unpredictable, and brutally human.Unlike perfect protagonists, anti-heroes dwell in shades of grey, making us question what’s truly right or wrong.

From tragic revenge seekers to complex vigilantes, here are seven movies and shows where the “bad guys” steal the spotlight and redefine what it means to be a hero.

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Baazigar – Amazon Prime Video

Shah Rukh Khan’s Baazigar changed Bollywood’s idea of a hero. Khan plays Ajay Sharma, a charming man on a mission of revenge against a business tycoon who wronged his family. To get even, Ajay seduces and manipulates the tycoon’s daughters — a dark, calculated plan that shocks and fascinates viewers. Despite his criminal acts, his pain and tragic backstory make him oddly sympathetic. Baazigar proved that audiences could root for a villain if his heart beats with human emotion — and SRK’s intense performance made the anti-hero unforgettable.

Badlapur – ZEE5

A raw and emotional revenge thriller, Badlapur follows Raghu (Varun Dhawan), a man whose wife and child are killed in a bank robbery gone wrong. Consumed by grief and rage, Raghu spends years hunting down those responsible. But as revenge takes over, he loses his humanity piece by piece. Director Sriram Raghavan masterfully blurs the line between justice and obsession, showing how trauma can transform an ordinary man into a monster. Raghu isn’t a hero — he’s broken, angry, and morally torn — yet his pain keeps us glued to his story.

Vaastav – YouTube

Sanjay Dutt’s Vaastav is a gritty portrait of how desperation can drag an ordinary man into darkness. Raghu, a young man from Mumbai, accidentally kills a gangster’s brother and is forced into the city’s underworld. As he rises through the ranks, he becomes a feared don — losing his innocence, peace, and family in the process. Vaastav paints a tragic picture of power and corruption, showing how good men can turn bad simply to survive. Raghu’s downfall is heartbreaking, making him one of Indian cinema’s most memorable anti-heroes.

Joker – JioCinema (Hotstar)

“Joker” offers a haunting look into the making of Gotham’s most infamous villain. Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is a struggling clown and aspiring comedian, crushed by a cruel society that mocks and ignores him. As his mental state unravels, Arthur transforms into the Joker — a symbol of chaos and rebellion. Phoenix’s mesmerizing performance captures the pain of isolation, blurring the line between victim and villain. It’s not just a comic book story but a chilling exploration of how neglect and cruelty can twist the human mind.

V for Vendetta – YouTube

In a dystopian Britain ruled by tyranny, one masked man stands against the system. V (Hugo Weaving) is a mysterious vigilante who uses violence and symbolism to ignite a revolution. When he rescues Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) from the secret police, he awakens her courage — and the nation’s. V is part hero, part terrorist — poetic, intelligent, and ruthless in his quest for freedom. His methods challenge morality, yet his purpose is undeniably just. “V for Vendetta” remains a timeless tale of rebellion, reminding us that justice sometimes wears a mask.

Dexter – Netflix

Few characters are as fascinatingly dark as Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) — a forensic blood analyst for the Miami police by day and a serial killer by night. But Dexter follows a strict moral code: he only kills other killers who escape justice. Guided by his late adoptive father’s rules, Dexter becomes a twisted kind of vigilante. The brilliance of the show lies in how it makes viewers empathize with a murderer — his desire for justice feels disturbingly right. Dexter’s duality keeps audiences questioning whether morality depends on intention or action.

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Suicide Squad – Amazon Prime Video

When the world faces a supernatural threat after Superman’s death, the U.S. government recruits a secret team of imprisoned supervillains for a dangerous mission. Led by the fierce Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) and field commander Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman), Task Force X includes chaotic Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and skilled assassin Deadshot (Will Smith). Despite being outlaws, their loyalty and humor shine through, making them surprisingly lovable. Harley Quinn’s fearless madness and unpredictable charm turned her into an instant pop-culture icon — a reminder that even villains can have heart.