Nerdist’s Best Characters of 2025

Despite everything happening in the world, television and movies continued to provide much-needed entertainment and a welcome escape this year. We saw incredible shows like Andor, enjoyed the return of The Boys with its signature action, revisited the terrifying world of Stephen King’s It in 1960s Maine, and experienced many other great stories. While impressive visuals and well-developed storylines are important, it’s the characters that truly connect us to a movie or show and make it memorable.

Villains are often the most captivating part of any story – the characters we love to root against, or those who surprisingly resonate with us on a deeper level. A villain’s journey and ultimate fate can truly determine whether a movie or TV show thrives or fails. Will audiences keep watching? Will they passionately criticize it online? Will it become a timeless hit or quickly be forgotten? While we can’t cover every great villain of 2025, the team at TopMob has selected a few of our favorites to celebrate across all universes.

Marie Moreau (Gen V)

With the success of Gen V season two, the world of The Boys has cemented its place as a consistently strong television franchise. The latest season returns to Godolkin University, revealing more secrets and developing its characters. Jaz Sinclair shines as Marie Moreau, solidifying her position as the central figure of Gen V. This season explores the origins of her trauma while showcasing her incredible power growth. Marie is a complex character – flawed, determined, both self-focused and generous, and consistently captivating. She’s the emotional core of the show, driving the narrative forward. -Tai Gooden

Wilson Fisk (Daredevil Born Again)

It’s remarkable how a character from a TV show in 2016 can still be considered the best in 2025, but that’s exactly what’s happening with Wilson Fisk in the new Daredevil: Born Again. Vincent D’Onofrio flawlessly returns to the role he played in the Netflix Daredevil series seven years ago. He hasn’t lost any of his skill in portraying the ruthless, yet sometimes surprisingly thoughtful, Kingpin. The new series finds Fisk, a notorious criminal and murderer, released from prison and successfully running for Mayor of New York City.

Vincent D’Onofrio brings the same simmering intensity to his role as Fisk as he did in the original Daredevil series, but now with even more self-control. He has to appear reformed to the public, and D’Onofrio convincingly portrays Fisk’s genuine desire to leave his criminal life behind. What makes his performance so compelling—and the show so good—is seeing his violent side break through, even though a part of him truly wants to change. – Eric Diaz

Lex Luthor (Superman)

I wasn’t familiar with Lex Luthor before seeing the 2025 film, but it turned out to be a surprisingly good portrayal. He easily could have been a one-dimensional villain, but James Gunn’s direction and Nicholas Hoult’s performance gave him a compelling, vulnerable side, which I really appreciated.

Looking back, Lex was the only character from TV or film, born in 2025, that I ever wrote fan fiction about, and that really shows how much I like him. Luckily, it seems others were drawn to Lex’s vulnerable side too, because he’ll be a major character in the upcoming Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow. I’m excited to see more of Lex in 2027, especially since he’s joining forces with Superman this time! -Ro Rusak

**Bob/The Sentry (Thunderbolts*)**

The movie Thunderbolts is a surprisingly thoughtful entry in the Marvel universe. It explores the heavy themes of emotional pain and loneliness, following a team of flawed heroes who are trying to make a difference. While fans already love characters like Yelena and Bucky Barnes, Bob, also known as The Sentry, really shines. His charming clumsiness and genuine desire to do good quickly make him a fan favorite.

The character starts as a complete enigma, unsure of his past and simply grateful to belong. As his story unfolds, we connect with him on a deeply emotional level, recognizing echoes of trauma and loneliness in his experiences. The core of the film lies in the relationship between this character and Yelena, who guides him through his internal struggles. While surprisingly poignant for a Marvel film, it ultimately delivers a hopeful and touching message, making the audience fiercely protective of him. – Sarah Campbell

Seth Milchick (Severance)

I initially believed Tramell Tillman’s performance in the first season of Severance was flawless. However, he surpassed even that in the second season. Building on his Emmy-winning work, he brought incredible depth and humanity to his character, transforming a fascinating villain into a complex and sympathetic figure, despite his reprehensible actions. A particularly moving phone call with Mark Scout and his powerful confrontation with his condescending bosses were highlights of an already exceptional season.

In 2025, actor Tramell Tillman achieved something remarkable. He managed to make audiences actually root for his character, Seth Milchick, in the second season of Severance. Even more impressively, he did this while maintaining the delightfully unlikeable qualities that made Seth so memorable in the first place. Tillman consistently delivered comedic moments, from a hilarious brief run to his portrayal of a marching band leader, ultimately surpassing an already excellent performance. -Mikey Walsh

Ronnie Grogan (IT: Welcome to Derry)

I was genuinely surprised by the HBO Max series IT: Welcome to Derry – it’s the most unexpected show of 2025 for me. I enjoy Stephen King’s work and have followed the IT movies, but Pennywise isn’t actually one of my favorite villains. Still, the trailers for this series made me hopeful that it would deliver good horror, even with a focus on kids. I didn’t anticipate connecting with any of the characters until Ronnie Grogan appeared and completely won me over. Newcomer Amanda Christine gives an incredible performance as Ronnie, effortlessly switching between intense fear and bold confidence. She’s refreshingly honest and doesn’t care about being liked – a character I immediately loved! -Tai Gooden

Mon Mothma (Andor)

With so many sci-fi and fantasy shows and movies released recently, it’s easy to forget that Andor season 2 came out earlier this year. However, the season delivered some truly outstanding performances, particularly from Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma. While Mon Mothma was a minor character after Return of the Jedi, this series really brought her to life and made her the emotional center of the Rebellion.

The first part of the series demonstrated Mon’s increasing involvement in difficult and morally compromising actions as she realized her longtime friend Tay was becoming a weakness. Her coping mechanism of dancing at her daughter’s wedding became a widely shared meme. However, it was Mon’s powerful speech after the Ghorman Massacre in episode 9, and her subsequent flight from Coruscant with Cassian, that truly transformed her from a politician into a rebel leader. Many believe O’Reilly deserved an Emmy award for her performance. Mon Mothma’s portrayal was exceptional, according to Kyle Anderson.

Clark Kent (Superman)

Superman has been portrayed in numerous films over the years, but James Gunn’s 2025 film truly delivers the best version of the character in a long time. In a world often marked by negativity and disagreement, David Corenswet’s portrayal of Clark Kent arrives as a refreshing force, championing the simple yet powerful idea that kindness is a radical act. This Superman genuinely wants to help others and sees the good in everyone he encounters.

David Corenswet’s Superman isn’t old-fashioned; he’s genuinely kind and likable. He quickly became a favorite among movie fans, offering a refreshing example of healthy masculinity with a humble and endearing personality that won over audiences worldwide. Hopefully, we’ll see him soaring for years to come. -Eric Diaz

2025-11-20 16:36