10 Criminal Minds villains ranked by just how disturbing they were

If you’ve ever binged Criminal Minds, then you know it’s not your average crime show. It doesn’t just solve murders - it dives deep into the twisted psychology of the worst criminals imaginable.

And let's be honest, half the time you’re watching through your fingers, questioning how these writers manage to make fictional characters feel this terrifying.

Whether it's the eerie silence of a killer who stares too long, the sadistic laughter of someone who enjoys pain just a bit too much, or the sheer unpredictability of someone who kills without motive - Criminal Minds has delivered some of the most disturbing villains in TV history.

And when we say disturbing, we mean the kind of creepy that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

So, we’re counting down ten of the most disturbing Criminal Minds villains - ranked not by body count, but by how much they made us squirm in our seats, question humanity, and maybe double-check that our doors were locked.

The 10 most disturbing Criminal Minds villains, ranked

10) Frank Breitkopf (Keith Carradine) - “No Way Out” (S2, Ep13)

Frank was the embodiment of pure evil - a drifter with no remorse and a body count that stretched across decades. He had a way of killing that was more methodical than impulsive, storing his victims’ teeth in jars like gruesome souvenirs.

What made him truly disturbing, though, was his emotional detachment. He wasn’t just a serial killer; he was a predator who hunted people like sport. And the fact that he came back again on Criminal Minds in a sequel episode was nightmare fuel!

9) The Prince of Darkness (Tim Curry) - “Our Darkest Hour” (S5, Ep23)

What’s worse than a serial killer? One who only strikes during power outages. Tim Curry’s portrayal of “The Prince of Darkness” was the stuff of actual horror films. The man reeked, his teeth were rotting, and he liked to terrorize families before killing them.

And the worst part was that he would stay in the house with his victims, whispering and watching. A killer that waits in the dark...now that’s going to haunt our dreams for a while.

8) Floyd Feylinn Ferell (Jamie Kennedy) - “Lucky” (S3, Ep8)

This guy ate people...let’s just start there. Jamie Kennedy, known more for his comedy, took a total 180 and played one of the most sickening unsubs of the series. He served human remains in his restaurant and kept some of his victims alive just to harvest parts of them.

This wasn't just murder - it was murder with a grotesque twist. The team even found a woman still alive in a freezer. Still. Alive. Let that sink in!

7) Carl Buford (Julius Tennon) - “Profiler, Profiled” (S2, Ep12)

Carl Buford wasn’t just disturbing because of what he did - it was who he did it to. A respected community figure and mentor to young boys, including Derek Morgan, Buford used his position to manipulate and s*xually abuse them.

It’s the kind of psychological trauma that lasts a lifetime, and seeing the pain etched on Morgan’s face when confronting him is both heartbreaking and horrifying. Buford didn’t just scar bodies on Criminal Minds; he scarred souls!

6) Tobias Hankel (James Van Der Beek) - “The Big Game” / “Revelations” (S2, Ep14-15)

Tobias wasn’t just one villain - he was three. Suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder, he flipped between his own personality, his abusive father’s, and a delusional religious persona. He tortured victims while quoting scripture, believing he was doing God’s work.

What made this worse was when he kidnapped and tortured Reid while broadcasting it live. Watching a main character go through that level of trauma...yeah, this one stuck.

5) Cat Adams (Aubrey Plaza) - “Entropy” (S11, Ep11) and more

Cat was a hitwoman with brains, beauty, and a total lack of empathy. She wasn’t just about the kill; she was about the game - every word out of her mouth was calculated, especially during her unforgettable face-off with Reid in that diner.

Her psychological warfare was next-level, turning even her interrogation into a deadly trap. And later, she even faked a pregnancy to mess with Reid’s head further. When it comes to being evil and manipulative in the Criminal Minds universe, Cat’s the real queen.

4) Billy Flynn (Tim Curry) - “The Longest Night” (S6, Ep1)

Yes, Tim Curry makes the list again, because this two-part storyline is just that traumatic. Flynn’s return in Criminal Minds Season 6 only amped up the terror - he takes entire families hostage, s*xually assaults women, and forces the victims to call loved ones before he kills them.

He’s not just terrifying - he enjoys the slow burn of fear. And Curry’s performance is so intense, you almost forget you’re watching a network TV show.

3) Peter Lewis aka Mr. Scratch (Bodhi Elfman) - “Mr. Scratch” (S10, Ep21) and beyond

Mr. Scratch was the villain who haunted the BAU for many seasons in Criminal Minds. Using hallucinogenic drugs and psychological tricks, he convinced victims to kill others - or themselves. He didn’t physically hurt them; he broke their minds.

This guy was so smart, so slippery, and so unrelenting that even Hotch had to go into witness protection because of him. A villain who weaponizes the mind...now that’s next-level disturbing!

2) Chaz Montolo (Lance Henriksen) - “The Storm” (S11, Ep22)

Chaz was a hitman for hire, but it wasn’t just the number of people he killed - it was the way he hunted members of the BAU with personal vendettas. He turned the team’s world upside down by targeting them directly and framing Hotch for murder.

And the look in his eyes when he stared down victims...it was like he was already picturing their deaths. When a killer makes the profiler feel profiled - that’s the stuff of nightmares!

1) George Foyet aka The Reaper (C. Thomas Howell) - “Omnivore” (S4, Ep18) and more

No list of disturbing Criminal Minds villains is complete without The Reaper. This guy was so terrifying, he left Hotch scarred physically and emotionally - he faked his death, manipulated the system, and, most hauntingly, murdered Hotch’s wife in their own home while their son was there.

And how can we forget the scene where Jack hides in a box while his mother is being attacked? Absolutely devastating! Foyet was relentless, brilliant, and evil personified - the true stuff of psychological horror.

Final thoughts

There you have it - the worst of the worst. The creepiest, most twisted, most disturbingly unforgettable unsubs from Criminal Minds. If this list made your skin crawl a little...well, you're definitely not alone. Sweet dreams!