History FauxAffablyEvil / LiveActionFilms

* ''Film/BatmanFilmSeries'':
** Creator/JackNicholson's portrayal of the Joker in ''Film/Batman1989'' qualifies as this, like in his scene with Vicki at the museum and his scene with Bruce and Vicki at Vicki's apartment.
** Christopher Walken again in ''Film/BatmanReturns''. His Max Shreck is a master at balancing his dual roles of gentleman and thug, acting just menacing enough to be chilling while also being just charming enough to let you know that [[VillainWithGoodPublicity no one would ever believe you if you ratted on him]]. Like when he catches Selina Kyle looking over his secret -- and illegal -- plans to stockpile electrical power:
--->'''Max:''' Who would you say this to?\\
'''Selina:''' ''[nervously]'' Nobody.\\
'''Max:''' What did... curiosity do... to the cat?\\
'''Selina:''' I'm no cat. I'm just an assistant. A secretary.\\
'''Max:''' And a very good one.\\
'''Selina:''' ''Too'' good?
** He then backs her against a window, letting on that he might, you know, just decide to shove her out of it. [[HopeSpot Then he puts on a "just kidding" facial expression, and they both laugh.]] Then he snarls and slams her through.
** Poison Ivy from ''Film/BatmanAndRobin''. She's a very attractive woman who flirts with many different men, but she's a terrorist with plans to have plants take back the world and has a deadly kiss. She plays many men like a fiddle, including Freeze when she lies that Batman and Robin have murdered his wife. The best example though is with Robin, who she flirts with the most and convinces him she loves him. When they are alone in her lair, she finally kisses him, only to reveal her true colors and reveals he will die, then shoves him from her throne into the pond to drown him.

* Bane, the villain in ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'', is terrifyingly brutal and utterly merciless. But he sounds like Creator/PatrickStewart after four martinis and a large dose of Ecstasy, calm, polite, and friendly... even when he's crushing your skull.

* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'':
** ''Film/IronMan1'': Iron Monger/[[spoiler:Obadiah Stane]], especially in the scene where he's talking to Pepper Potts. He's as affable as always, but she doesn't know whether he's just making small talk or interrogating her.
** ''Film/IronMan2'':
*** This continues with Ivan Vanko. In battle, Vanko lets his rage and vengeance run wild, but in the few brief conversations he has with his nemesis, Tony Stark, he is measured and almost friendly, bantering and taking technical advice from Tony, who he likely sees as a WorthyOpponent. One can't help but chuckle at the casual, almost friendly way he talks as he threatens Tony over the phone.
---->'''Ivan:''' Hey, Tony! How you doin'? Heh heh. I double cycle.\\
'''Tony:''' What?\\
'''Ivan:''' You told me "double cycle, more power." Good advice.\\
'''Tony:''' You sound pretty sprightly for a dead guy.\\
'''Ivan:''' You too... Ha ha!
*** Justin Hammer will act like your best friend when it's clear he can't stand your guts.
** In ''Film/IronMan3'', Aldritch Killian comes across as a classy guy, but all he cares about is getting back at Tony for standing him up 13 years ago.
** ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'': Ultron is calm, eloquent, and has a quick wit, but wants to wipe out the entire human race for the crime of not being perfect. He lied to his allies, showing that he views everyone as pawns for his master plan. He kidnaps one of the Avengers, casually converses with them, and tries to freak them the hell out by ''ripping off his own head''. At the end [[spoiler: Ultron chats with Vision before deciding that he can't stand him and attempts one last attack]].
** [[spoiler: Ego]] from ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2.'' A jovial, somewhat humorous man who saves the Guardians from a fleet of starships. A father who wants to reconnect with his long-lost son. [[spoiler: A vile, genocidal monster who murders his own children if they fail to inherit his powers, gives his wife (Peter's mother) a slow, agonizing death via brain cancer, plans to wipe out the universe and replace it with extensions of himself, and also plans to use his immortal son as a conductor to keep his "expansion" up and running for all eternity.]]
** Killmonger from ''Film/BlackPanther2018'' puts a veneer of cordiality and politeness when it strikes his fancy, but it's pretty clear he's too far gone and it's all an act to rile people up. At one point, he addresses Ramonda by "aunty", except the would-be term of endearment is dripping with sarcasm and contempt.
** ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' shows Thanos wasn't always AffablyEvil, [[spoiler:his past self calmly states he is going to destroy the whole universe and rebuild it to his image. He also says he is going to enjoy wiping out the Earth for having the audacity of trying to restore his culling. Not only that, but since he never went through the loss and grief of losing Gamora, his sympathetic qualities were never strengthened and were instead outright crushed]]. It appears that Thanos is courteous only as long as he is still in control.
** ''Film/SpiderManFarFromHome'': [[spoiler: Quentin Beck a.k.a Mysterio]] was introduced as a space hero fighting the Elementals to save the world. He also acted like a friend to Peter and even gave him advice on how to impress his crush as well as encouraging him to live up to Tony's legacy. In reality, [[spoiler: Beck is a vain, sadistic, and vengeful former Stark Industries employee who [[EngineeredHeroic staged the Elemental attacks so he can stop them and be declared a hero.]] He was only nice to Peter to trick him into giving him E.D.I.T.H so he can have more [[AttackDrone killer drones]]. When Peter found out, he [[WouldHurtAChild tries to kill Peter and his classmates]] and even [[ISurrenderSuckers feigns regret over his actions just so he could shoot Peter.]]]]
** ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'': [[spoiler:The High Evolutionary would often cradle Rocket in his lap, akin to a father and his son, and tell him of the wonders he had envisioned for the future. He's also very calm and patient with Rocket when he's still a child, and he praises his intellect. However, every positive or affirming trait he has in the film is entirely undone when he coldly tells Rocket he was always nothing more than just an experiment he'll discard as a failure once he creates something better, and he never actually intended for Rocket or his friends to join in his new world.]] It's clear that he's only polite and patient with those who serve a purpose for him. Those who don't, he'll gladly incinerate.

* ''Film/Shazam2019'':
** In spite of his sour disposition, Sivana can affect a nice facade when he wants, but it doesn't take much for him to drop the charade and reveal what a cruel, spiteful egomaniac he actually is.
--->'''Sivana:''' ''(referring to the Vasquez household)'' Oh, how quaint. ''[{{beat}}]'' Actually, I take that back. What a shithole.
** In an alternate scene, Thaddeus cheerfully greets his brother and father at their family Christmas party with the steadfast intention to terrorize and murder them.

* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'':
** ''Film/XMenFirstClass'':
*** Sebastian Shaw is impeccably polite even when he's going to kill your mom. When he murders people who have slighted him, it's based more on principle than any outright anger.
** In ''Film/XMenOriginsWolverine'', Stryker is very polite and charming, often calling Wolverine "Old friend". This doesn't change the fact that he's unrepentantly homicidal and manipulative.
** ''Film/TheWolverine'':
*** Viper talks in a polite and seductive tone when discussing her evil plans.
*** [[spoiler:Ichirō Yashida continues to discuss philosophy and talk like a kindly grandfather even as he is literally sucking out the life of Wolverine. He also seems to genuinely want Logan to find peace in death.]]
** ''Film/XMenApocalypse'': En Sabah Nur recruits mutants he considers [[TheSocialDarwinist strong enough]] to be worthy, names them his "[[AFatherToHisMen children]]" with affection, and promises them privileged positions in his new world. The moment they underperform, he brushes them off with a contemptuous "[[YouHaveFailedMe Useless]]." [[spoiler:It's cold enough to [[BrokenPedestal break the pedestal]] that Storm put him on.]]
** ''Film/{{Logan}}'' :
*** Donald Pierce acts like a goofy GoodOlBoy, but it doesn't change the fact that he's a ruthless assassin out to kill an ''11-year-old girl''.
*** His boss Zander Rice also qualifies. He puts on a polite, grandfatherly facade, but in reality, he's a completely amoral MadScientist.

* Peter Stormare as Lucifer, in what's easily [[OneSceneWonder the best scene]] of ''Film/{{Constantine}}''. Lucifer manages to be hilarious and genuinely creepy at the same time.

* ''Film/StarTrekTheWrathOfKhan'': Khan becomes this due to losing many of the traits that made him genuinely AffablyEvil in the original series.

* Even Zorin might have been creeped out by one of Walken's lesser-known but still memorably malevolent characters: James Houston, the ManipulativeBastard VillainProtagonist of the direct-to-video low-budget film ''Vendetta''. A [[CorruptCorporateExecutive filthy rich]] New Orleans plantation owner in the 1890s who desires to become even richer, Houston has no qualms -- absolutely none -- about (secretly) instigating two incidents of ethnically charged street violence (namely, the assassination of the city's police chief and a mass lynching of Italians) just so he can take over the profitable immigrant businesses down on Decatur Street. Completely shameless and with about as much emotional capacity as a mannequin--and gets a literal KickTheDog moment as he watches a staged dog fight and [[TheSocialDarwinist takes an almost scientific interest in how the weaker dog realizes it is beaten and rolls onto its back to allow its throat to be torn out]]. The worst part? [[TruthInTelevision James Houston was a real person]]...and [[KarmaHoudini never got any sort of comeuppance for his part in one of the bloodiest race wars in U.S. history]], as the movie's epilogue explains.

** ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'': [[spoiler:The High Evolutionary would often cradle Rocket in his lap akin to a father and his son and tell him of the wonders he has envisioned for the future. He's also very calm and patient with Rocket when he's still a child and praises his intellect. However, every positive or affirming trait he has in the film is entirely undone when he coldly tells Rocket he was always nothing more than just an experiment he'll discard as a failure once he creates something better and he never actually intended for Rocket or his friends to join in his new world.]] It's clear that he's only polite and patient with those who serve a purpose to him. Those who don't, he'll gladly incinerate.

** Creator/JackNicholson's portrayal of ComicBook/TheJoker in Tim Burton's ''Film/Batman1989'' qualifies as this, like in his scene with Vicki at the museum and his scene with Bruce and Vicki at Vicki's apartment.
** Christopher Walken again in ''Film/BatmanReturns''. His Max Shreck is a master at balancing his dual roles of gentleman and thug, acting just menacing enough to be chilling while also being just charming enough to let you know that [[VillainWithGoodPublicity no one would ever believe you if you ratted on him]]. Like when he catches [[ComicBook/{{Catwoman}} Selina Kyle]] looking over his secret -- and illegal -- plans to stockpile electrical power:

** ComicBook/PoisonIvy from ''Film/BatmanAndRobin''. She's a very attractive woman who flirts with many different men, but she's a terrorist with plans to have plants take back the world and has a deadly kiss. She plays many men like a fiddle, including Freeze when she lies that Batman and Robin have murdered his wife. The best example though is with Robin, who she flirts with the most and convinces him she loves him. When they are alone in her lair she finally kisses him, only to reveal her true colors and reveals he will die, then shoves him from her throne into the pond to drown him.

* ComicBook/{{Bane}}, the villain in ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'', is terrifyingly brutal and utterly merciless. But he sounds like Creator/PatrickStewart after four martinis and a large dose of Ecstasy, calm, polite, and friendly... even when he's crushing your skull.

* Simon Phoenix from ''Film/DemolitionMan'' seems like a real fun guy to be around. Too bad he's a psychopath who'd probably maim you twice for shits and giggles. Think ComicBook/TheJoker in the body of [[Film/TheFifthElement Ruby Rhod]].

* Jason Lee as Azrael in ''Film/{{Dogma}}''. "I'll have a...Holy Bartender."
* ''Film/{{Downfall}}'' depicts UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler like this. Hitler is initially polite and affectionate to the people in his Fuhrerbunker as well as all the poor souls fighting and dying outside for his doomed philosophy. As the film progresses, and his situation gets progressively worse, the psychotic, petty, and cruel mass-murdering monster becomes more apparent, as does the fact that his friendly persona is a calculated ruse designed to [[TakingYouWithMe seduce his subordinates into joining him in death]] out of guilt or a tragically misplaced sense of loyalty. It did backfire somewhat as some MoralGuardians did criticize the film for depicting Hitler as "too sympathetic".

* ''Film/Shazam2019'': Sivana can act nice when he wants, but it doesn't take much for him to drop the charade and reveal what a cruel, spiteful egomaniac he actually is.
-->'''Sivana:''' ''(referring to the Vasquez household)'' Oh, how quaint. ''[{{beat}}]'' Actually, I take that back. What a shithole.

* In ''Film/TheWindmillMassacre'', [[spoiler:the coach driver Abe]] initially comes across as an extremely affable character: generous, helpful, and jovial. He even allows Jennifer to [[spoiler:board the bus without a ticket]]. However, this is eventually revealed as an act designed to allow him to lure victims to their doom in the windmill and he won’t even spare those who his otherworldly ally seems innocent or repentant.

* ''Film/{{Exam}}'': [[spoiler:White]], who seems quite charming in a way of a LovableRogue, but quickly turns out to be a psychopath willing to kill for the job.

* In ''Film/BehindTheMaskTheRiseOfLeslieVernon'', aspiring [[OurSlashersAreDifferent slasher]] Leslie comes off as a friendly, likeable and slightly {{Adorkable}} guy who quickly charms the film students documenting him, and by extension [[RootingForTheEmpire the audience]]. However, every so often his true nature shines through, whether it be a creepy smile or a sudden burst of anger. The NiceGuy persona is shown to be a facade in the final act when he ruthlessly hunts down and kills his “new friends” the film crew. As he’s choking one to death, the guy manages to knock his mask off and he is absolutely silent and expressionless rather than the happy, smiling Leslie shown before.

** ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'': [[spoiler:He would often cradle Rocket in his lap akin to a father and his son and tell him of the wonders he has envisioned for the future. He's also very calm and patient with Rocket when he's still a child and praises his intellect. However, every positive or affirming trait he has in the film is entirely undone when he coldly tells Rocket he was always nothing more than just an experiment he'll discard as a failure once he creates something better and he never actually intended for Rocket or his friends to join in his new world.]] It's clear that he's only polite and patient with those who serve a purpose to him. Those who don't, he'll gladly incinerate.

* Detective Mark Hoffman in the ''Franchise/{{Saw}}'' series. His affable demeanor is fooling until you've witnessed his true colors [[spoiler: under the Jigsaw persona]] which will pretty much show that his entire affable side's pretty much an act to lower suspicion.