Bernthal Calls This Villain Cinema's Most Terrifying Character
The Punisher star Jon Bernthal reveals which movie villain he considers the most frightening in film history, and it's not who you'd expect from this classic thriller.
Actor Jon Bernthal has built his reputation playing tough, gritty characters across television and film. From bringing Marvel's Punisher to life on screen to portraying soldiers, cops, and criminals, he's tackled some of the most intense roles in entertainment. His upcoming appearance in Christopher Nolan's adaptation of The Odyssey adds yet another layer to his diverse portfolio.
An Unexpected Horror Icon
Despite his affinity for dark, complex characters, Bernthal hasn't ventured much into horror territory. His closest brush with the genre came through his role in The Walking Dead's first two seasons, where he played a character who quickly found comfort with his best friend's wife once the zombie apocalypse hit.
During a 2017 interview about his film Wind River, where his character meets an early demise, Bernthal shared his thoughts on making a lasting impression with limited screen time. He pointed to a specific performance that exemplifies this concept perfectly.
The Power of Minimal Screen Time
"What Ted Levine did with his portrayal of Buffalo Bill, there wasn't much screen time, but it was absolutely haunting," Bernthal explained. "Everyone talks about Anthony Hopkins in that film, which was obviously great, but what Ted did, he created the most horrifying character in the history of film in five or six minutes on film."
Bernthal's observation highlights something many viewers overlook about The Silence of the Lambs. While Anthony Hopkins' Dr. Hannibal Lecter gets most of the attention as one of cinema's greatest villains, he's not actually the main antagonist. That distinction belongs to Jame 'Buffalo Bill' Gumb, the disturbed killer who captures women and keeps them in a pit beneath his house.
An Overlooked Masterpiece
Levine's portrayal of Buffalo Bill delivers some of the film's most unsettling moments. The infamous scene where he dances to 'Goodbye Horses' while applying makeup remains one of the most chilling sequences in movie history. His performance creates an atmosphere of dread that permeates the entire story.
When The Silence of the Lambs dominated the Academy Awards, becoming the only horror film to win Best Picture, the recognition went to director Jonathan Demme, screenwriter Ted Tally, and stars Hopkins and Jodie Foster. Surprisingly, Levine received no nomination for Best Supporting Actor, despite his haunting work. This oversight seems particularly glaring when considering that Hermione Baddeley once earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for just over two minutes of screen time in another film.