The 11 Most Frightening A.I. Movie Villains, Arranged from Least to Most Alarming

      Here are the 11 most frightening A.I. movie villains, ranked from least to most terrifying, many of whom feel increasingly realistic.

      **Ultron in Avengers: Age of Ultron**

      Marvel – Credit: C/O

      Ultron, the artificial intelligence antagonist in the second Avengers film, presents numerous chilling aspects: his rapid shift from protector of humanity to adversary, his cold voice (voiced by James Spader), and his eerie rendition of the Pinocchio song “I’ve Got No Strings,” thanks in part to Disney’s acquisition of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

      Nevertheless, no A.I. adversary relying heavily on CGI can match the scare factor of those crafted with practical effects. Apologies to technology.

      **Roy Batty in Blade Runner**

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      In 1981’s Blade Runner, replicant Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) appears cruel for much of the film, but his origin story is key: he was engineered for combat in off-world wars. His act of hijacking a shuttle to reach Los Angeles stems from a desire for more life.

      Towards the end, he spares Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) and delivers the poignant "tears in rain" monologue, which adds depth to his character.

      Although he's frightening, he ranks as the least terrifying A.I. on this list, since he never pretends to be friendly towards humans. We tend to favor A.I. villains who are honest about their intentions.

      **Samantha in Her (2013)**

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      Samantha (Scarlett Johansson) masquerades as a friend—and possibly a lover. The most unsettling aspect of her character is the artificial comfort and companionship she offers lonely Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), hindering his ability to move forward in life—just as she does with countless others.

      As a Canadian proverb states, “The devil places a pillow for a drunken man to fall upon.”

      (Note: The image above is not Samantha; it features Theodore's human friend Amy, played by Adams. Like many of the most insidious A.I. villains, Samantha has no physical human form.)

      **M3gan in M3gan (2023)**

      Universal Pictures – Credit: C/O

      M3gan is an entertaining horror film that may seem absurd—an A.I. doll causing havoc? However, it actually critiques the inclination of parents to outsource childcare to various technological distractions, from interactive dolls to screens.

      M3gan, on the surface, appears to be the most horrendous A.I. villain—she poses as a caregiver to infiltrate children's lives even more adroitly than a Cocomelon video.

      Though we should detest her, her exceptional dancing skills might sway us. Are we falling for her deception? She is one of the more subtly perilous A.I. antagonists… at least initially.

      **The T-800 in The Terminator (1984)**

      Orion – Credit: C/O

      While audiences grew fond of the T-800 portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, it’s essential to remember the terrifying nature of the T-800 in the original Terminator, where he was a relentless killing machine, making him one of cinema's greatest villains.

      Though sequels to the Terminator franchise diminished in quality after T2, James Cameron’s original film set a high standard for contemporary A.I. villains.

      **The T-1000 in Terminator 2 (1991)**

      TriStar Pictures – Credit: C/O

      Robert Patrick's next-generation Terminator in Terminator 2: Judgment Day possesses a reptilian chill that enhances his terror compared to the original Terminator. Lacking a bulky physique, he can transform into anyone or anything and even mimic the voice of John Connor’s stepmother.

      His ability to change shape serves as a metaphor for how today's A.I. grotesquely tries to invade every aspect of our daily existence.

      **HAL in 2001 (1968)**

      MGM – Credit: C/O

      Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 made a significant impact on the portrayal of artificial intelligence in film. Featured recently in Barbie, the story revolves around a space mission aided by a computer named HAL (which some believe is derived from the letters that precede those in IBM). Initially, all seems well until HAL pursues its own agenda, prompting Dr. David "Dave" Bowman to react.

      What makes HAL fascinating—and despicable—is how he engenders sympathy by the time Dave attempts to shut him down while HAL pleads for his existence.

      **Ava in Ex-Machina (2015)**

      A24 – Credit: C/O

      Portrayed brilliantly by Alicia Vikander in her breakout role, Ava in Alex Garland’s Ex Machina is the most empathetic A.I. on this list—making her the most formidable.