10 Criminal Minds Villains So Evil They Made Us Sick To Watch

Criminal Minds is well-known for showcasing iconic villains, some of whom have committed unthinkable acts. The original CBS series, Criminal Minds, debuted in 2005. Over its fifteen-year run, Criminal Minds introduced memorable protagonists such as Jason Gideon, Aaron Hotchner, Derek Morgan, Dr. Spencer Reid, Penelope Garcia, David Rossi, and others.

The series also gained popularity for its compelling villains, including characters like George Foyet, Tobias Hankel, Cat Adams, Mr. Scratch, Everett Lynch, and others.

Some of the villains in Criminal Minds played a significant role in the show’s history by providing a challenge for the investigation team. Many of these iconic villains were recurring characters throughout multiple seasons, causing trouble for everyone involved. These villains helped the show stand out by highlighting its focus on psychological analysis.

In 2022, Criminal Minds made a return to TV on Paramount+ as Criminal Minds: Evolution. The new show shifted to serialized storytelling, centering on a single overarching storyline rather than the traditional case-of-the-week format.

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George Foyet AKA The Reaper – Criminal Minds Season 4 & 5

The Reaper Killed Hotch’s Wife

George Foyet, also known as The Reaper, was one of the standout villains to appear in Criminal Minds. He first appeared in season 4, where he stood out for his high intellect and manipulative behavior. The Reaper not only tortured his victims but also had an impact on law enforcement. He proved himself to be a true psychological terrorist.

The Reaper made viewers sick because he didn’t care about anything. He stalked people and brutally stabbed one of the members of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). Ultimately, he died at the hands of Hotch, someone he had tortured across multiple episodes.

9

Peter Lewis AKA Mr. Scratch – Criminal Minds Season 10–13

Mr. Scratch Used Psychological Manipulation

Peter Lewis, also known as Mr. Scratch, was another unforgettable villain. He first appeared in Criminal Minds season 10, quickly becoming known for his intelligence and experience in psychology. Mr. Scratch didn’t exhibit the traits of a typical killer. He relied on turning his victims into criminals by manipulating their fears, somewhat similar to the Scarecrow from the Batman comics.

Mr. Scratch used a custom-made hallucinogenic drug along with psychological conditioning to turn his victims into killers. He then used these victims to commit crimes, going as far as to murder their family members and friends.

8

Billy Flynn AKA The Prince of Darkness – Criminal Minds Season 5

Billy Flynn Enjoyed Inflicting Pain

Another one of Criminal Minds‘ unforgettable villains, Billy Flynn, debuted in season 5. He became popular for not only his crimes but also his iconic nickname, The Prince of Darkness. Unlike Mr. Scratch, Flynn exhibited the traits of a cold-blooded and traditional villain.

He stalked his victims and often killed entire families, invading one isolated house at a time. Flynn is one of the most gruesome villains to appear in Criminal Minds, as he took pleasure in his actions. He enjoyed tormenting and killing parents in front of their children, and often abused his female victims.

7

Frank Breitkopf – Criminal Minds Season 2

Breitkopf Used Ketamine To Paralyze His Victims

Frank Breitkopf from Criminal Minds season 2 is another memorable villain who disgusted many viewers. The cold-blooded serial killer was notorious for his unbelievably high kill count, having murdered over 100 people in the span of a decade. Breitkopf preferred to operate quietly and efficiently, rather than out of rage.

He was known for his calm demeanor and lack of empathy, similar to another popular TV character, Dexter Morgan. Breitkopf’s gruesome killings and his habit of dissecting his victims made him truly evil. The fact that he collected his victims’ bones in jars and bags added to the revulsion felt by many Criminal Minds viewers.

6

Tobias Hankel – Criminal Minds Season 2

Tobias Hankel Was Also Known As The Holy Killer

Tobias Hankel appeared in Criminal Minds season 2. He suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder, which made him stand out from others on this list. Tobias was raised in a religious but abusive family, experiencing significant abuse from his father.

This led him to develop three distinct personalities: himself, a man named Raphael who saw himself as a punisher, and his father, Charles Hankel. Believing he was doing God’s work by punishing sinners, Tobias committed crimes. He proved to be one of the show’s most unpredictable villains.

5

Karl Arnold Sr. AKA The Fox – Criminal Minds Season 1

The Fox Typically Mentally Tortured Suburban Families

Karl Arnold, also known as The Fox, is one of the original villains from Criminal Minds. He first appeared in season 1 and earned his nickname due to his method of infiltrating his victims’ homes. The Fox stood out because he didn’t simply kill or torture his victims – he instead chose to gain their trust before ultimately destroying their families.

Although he appeared polite and helpful on the outside, his true evil nature was evident. Viewers were disturbed by his manipulative tactics, as The Fox felt like a real person, making the audience uncomfortable.

4

Roger & Anita Roycewood – Criminal Minds Season 5

Roger & Anita Shared A Twisted Romantic Dynamic

Roger and Anita Roycewood are the only duo on this list. The couple appeared in Criminal Minds season 5 and were portrayed as a twisted version of Bonnie and Clyde. The married couple kidnapped their victims and kept them imprisoned, causing harm to entire families, similar to Karl Arnold.

They both had distinct but unsettling personalities. Roger played the role of a submissive husband who obeyed his wife’s commands. Meanwhile, Anita took on a dominant and manipulative stance. Viewers found their actions disturbing, particularly because they targeted families with children.

3

Floyd Feylinn Ferell – Criminal Minds Season 3

Floyd Believed He Was Somehow Blessed Or Protected

Floyd Feylinn Ferell appeared in Criminal Minds season 3. He became known for being more than just a serial killer, engaging in acts such as cannibalism. Like Tobias Hankel, Floyd grew up in a religious but abusive household. He became obsessed with the divine purpose, thinking that his murders were somehow justifiably spiritual.

Floyd struggled with psychotic and schizophrenic delusions. He targeted women, mutilated their bodies, removed their organs, and consumed their flesh. The fact that Floyd was a cannibal is what made fans sick to the stomach watching his storyline.

2

David Wade Cunningham AKA Rabies Unsub – Criminal Minds Season 5

The Unsub Infected His Victims With Rabies

David Wade Cunningham, also known as The Rabies Unsub, appeared in Criminal Minds season 4. He gained notoriety for his almost comic-book-like origin, starting as an exceptional scientist before descending into pure evil as a terrorist. David specialized in virology and biochemistry and was driven by the trauma of losing his daughter to an illness.

David used his knowledge to commit heinous acts, creating a deadly strain of airborne anthrax as a form of terrorism. Viewers were horrified to watch how David’s biological weapon caused his victims to suffocate from within, displaying symptoms similar to rabies.

1

Tivon Askari – Criminal Minds Season 9 & 10

Tivon Askari Was Portrayed As An Army Ranger Turned Terrorist

Tivon Askari appeared in Criminal Minds season 9. He was known for being a former American Army Ranger who became a terrorist, joining terrorist forces to commit crimes against the United States. Unlike many others on the list, he didn’t have any psychological disorders.

Instead, he was portrayed as one of the most ruthless and methodical villains in the show’s history. He kidnapped and tortured JJ and Mateo Cruz. Tivon used interrogation techniques, such as sleep deprivation, physical abuse, and waterboarding, to force his victims to provide the information he wanted. Criminal Minds viewers despised watching Tivon torture JJ.

Criminal Minds

8/10

Release Date

September 22, 2005

Showrunner

Erica Messer

Directors

Félix Enríquez Alcalá, Rob Bailey, Matthew Gray Gubler, Joe Mantegna, John Gallagher, Douglas Aarniokoski, Guy Norman Bee, Larry Teng, Nelson McCormick, Alec Smight, Charles S. Carroll, Rob Spera, Charles Haid, Diana Valentine, Rob Hardy, Tawnia McKiernan, Bethany Rooney, Karen Gaviola, Sharat Raju, Thomas Gibson, Aisha Tyler, Anna Foerster, Gloria Muzio, John Terlesky

Writers

Bruce Zimmerman, Virgil Williams, Edward Allen Bernero, Janine Sherman Barrois, Chris Mundy, Simon Mirren, Debra J. Fisher, Kimberly A. Harrison, Jay Beattie, Dan Dworkin, Karen Maser, Oanh Ly, Stephanie Sengupta, Aaron Zelman, Kirsten Vangsness, Erica Meredith, Andi Bushell, Holly Harold, Alicia Kirk, Jeff Davis, Randy Huggins, Edward Napier, Jayne A. Archer, Chikodili Agwuna

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  Kirsten Vangsness

  Penelope Garcia

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  Matthew Gray Gubler

  Dr. Spencer Reid