The Most Terrifying Marvel Villain Has Never Even Been in an MCU Movie

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From its beginning, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has presented numerous intriguing or fearsome villains, yet not all have matched the success of their comic book versions. While audiences weren’t particularly fond of Dormammu from the MCU, they adored characters like Killmonger, Zemo, and Obadiah Stane instead. In actuality, digital (CGI) villains don’t make as strong an impact, which is why Marvel has been shifting its focus away from such characters recently. Interestingly, the most chilling Marvel villain to appear on screen hasn’t been featured in any MCU film; rather, their narrative was told through one of the Netflix series, and it left a lasting impression.

In Jessica Jones Season 1, Kevin Thompson, more infamously known as Kilgrave or the Purple Man, was a formidable presence that wreaked havoc. Played by David Tennant, this antagonist exuded malevolence, similar to how purple permeated scenes hinting at his impending appearance. This villain has been a major threat, not just in Jessica’s Netflix series, but also in Marvel Comics. Much like a roach, he seems to constantly emerge from the shadows to trouble those around him.

The Terrifying Power of The Purple Man

In Season 1 of Jessica Jones, Kilgrave serves as the main antagonist, and David Tennant delivers an exceptional performance. If portrayed poorly, Kilgrave could become a clichéd villain. However, when executed well, just hearing his name can send chills down our spines – and Tennant certainly achieved that effect. Kilgrave is essentially a monster disguised as a human, and Tennant knew when to reveal this monstrous side and when to keep it hidden.

The Purple Man, a chilling figure, is known for transforming his power into a deadly tool. With the ability to control others at his discretion, Kilgrave is like a marionette master. One might ponder if he could have been a hero with such a skill. However, unlike Hitoshi Shinso from “My Hero Academia,” Kilgrave chose a different path. He reveled in manipulating people and causing harm instead. All he left behind was devastation.

In both comic books and the television series, it’s only Jessica Jones who manages to break free from Kilgrave’s mind-controlling powers. This infuriates Kilgrave, leading him to become fixated on regaining control over her. His obsession stems not just from a desire for power but also as a means to assert his villainous nature. However, his pursuit puts numerous friends and associates of Jessica in danger. Ultimately, the season one finale brings an end to Kilgrave’s threat.

Kilgrave’s Potential Roles in Jessica Jones and the MCU

Critics often argue that Marvel struggles with creating compelling villains, but the issue isn’t necessarily about the quality of their antagonists; instead, it lies in the fact that these villains are often disposed of too quickly within the MCU storylines. Characters like Ronan the Accuser, Ultron, Killmonger, and Iron Monger were all killed off in the movies where they first appeared. Even Kilgrave, though he continued to exist as a hallucination later on, left a significant impact. This pattern is characteristic of Marvel’s approach to villains in their universe.

In another twist, the character Kilgrave could influence the course of the Marvel Cinematic Universe even beyond his demise. It’s not just about Jessica Jones and her ongoing struggles, but also the possibility that he might reappear in a future storyline. After all, The Purple Man has a history of death and resurrection in the comic books, so why rule out the same for the TV adaptation? We’re not suggesting the MCU should make a habit of this, but there are certain antagonists we’d like to see make a comeback.

Although Kilgrave may lie frozen in his grave, he could still find ways to cause distress within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the source material, Kilgrave fathered several children who have inherited his powers, some struggling just to survive amidst their father’s and siblings’ actions, while others embraced a darker nature like their father. Among these offspring are Kara, known as Persuasion, Joe, Connor, Jamie, and Shallah. In the comics, Kilgrave was alive to amass his band of Purple minions, but there’s no reason he couldn’t have a different story in the MCU.

Previously, Jessica Jones hinted at a possibility where Kilgrave’s enhanced powers were due to a fetus with his DNA. This suggests that there could be other children like him, some of whom might pose threats to Marvel superheroes in the future. Particularly, Kara could potentially create trouble for the upcoming heroes known as the Young Avengers. While it’s unlikely this will occur, given Kilgrave’s history of causing distress, it seems fitting that he continues to torment viewers in creative ways.

Jessica Jones is available to stream on Disney+.

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2025-06-27 04:09