Star Trekis one of the most popular science fiction series to ever grace movie screens. Following the popularity of science fiction in the 1970s,Star Trekwas going to be rebooted as a television series before producers decided to make a movie instead. That film’s success spawned sequels and helped launch the follow-up television series.
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As of this writing, there have been 13 films featuring the casts ofThe Original SeriesandThe Next Generationas well as a trilogy of films set during a different timeline. While each of these films has an antagonist, not allStar Trekvillainsare created equally.
13V’Ger – Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Star Trek: The Motion Picturefollows the Enterprise crew as they attempt to prevent V’Ger from annihilating the Federation. V’Ger turns out to be theprobe Voyager 6that Earth sent to explore space centuries before. It had gained sentience and was trying to return to its creator.
V’Ger isn’t a true villain. The probe is a threat, but it’s not truly seeking to destroy the Federation. It’s a misunderstanding by an inanimate object that has gained sentience. Eventually, Commander Decker merges with V’Ger to help save the Federation.
12The Whale Probe – Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home
Much like V’Ger, the Whale Probe was only a threat due to a misunderstanding and not because it was truly villainous. InStar Trek 4: The Voyage Home,the Whale Probe is endangering Earthwhile searching for humpback whales who have gone extinct in theStar Trektimeline.
The Enterprise crew is able to go back in time and transport two humpback whales to the future. The whales' calls caused the Whale Probe to stop causing massive damage to Earth.The Voyage Homeis the rareStar Trekfilm where no one dies, and the entire adventure is lighthearted.
11Sha Ka Ree – Star Trek 5: The Final Frontier
Sha Ka Ree isthe god worshiped by Spock’s half-brother, Sybok,inThe Final Frontier. Sybok is bringing a starship to this god only to find out that Sha Ka Ree isn’t really a god but an evil alien trying to escape the Great Barrier that had trapped it.
Sybok is the villain’s representativethe viewer sees throughout the film, so he is viewed by many as the villain. However, Sybok is merely a believer whose religion is manipulated by an alien. He isn’t innocent, but he’s still a victim.
10Ru’afo – Star Trek: Insurrection
Ru’afo is the leader of the Son’a people who wants another group of people, the Ba’ku, removed from a region of space. He manipulates Starfleet Vice Admiral Dougherty who is just trying to mitigate the fallout of the Dominion War.
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Ru’afo is essentially theStar Trekversion of theevil bureaucrat trying to use eminent domain. He’s a one-note villain that worked well for single episodes inStar Trekseries but couldn’t carry a film.
9Shinzon – Star Trek: Nemesis
Aclone of Captain Picardwho grew up in a Reman slave mine is now leading the Remans to overthrow the Romulan government. Then, he sets his sights on Picard and destroying Earth. Shinzon isa look at what Picard might have beenhad he grown up under different circumstances.
Shinzon fails to be a compelling villain because so many of the things that are supposed to be intriguing about him had already been explored duringThe Next Generation.
8Dr. Soran – Star Trek: Generations
In the first film to featureThe Next Generationcast, Dr. Soran is a refugee who just wants toreturn to the Nexus. It’s viewed as a way to get to paradise, and that’s all Dr. Soran really wants.
What makes Dr. Soran so villainous is that he doesn’t care who he hurts to reach his goal. He’s willing to let millions of people die, so he can experience paradise. Plus, he ultimately brings about Kirk’s death. That’s an impressive run of destruction for someone who isn’t inherently evil.
7Admiral Marcus – Star Trek Into Darkness
In the Kelvin timeline, Admiral Marcus finds Khan’s ship andmanipulates him into doing his bidding. Unlike the events ofThe Wrath of Khan,Into Darkness' Khan is more the henchman than the villain, much like Sybok to Sha Ka Ree. Admiral Marcus is the true villain by holding Khan’s followers hostage.
It was a different way to introduce well-known characters to the new timeline. Khan is still ruthless, although not as charismatic, and he is more compelling as a foil for Kirk than Marcus is.
6Krall – Star Trek Beyond
Krall is a former Federation captain who crashed on a planet that warped his appearance and his mind. After a century on this planet,he is disillusioned with the Federationand ready to destroy everything about it.
Krall embodies hatred and bitterness. He’s the opposite of what hope the Federation is supposed to stand for. He wasn’t always this way, but a century stranded will certainly test anyone’s views. It’s a compelling take on a villain.
5Kruge – Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock
Kruge is a Klingon mercenary who is looking totake advantage of the Genesis deviceKirk launched at the end ofThe Wrath of Khan. Kruge is ruthless and ends up killing Kirk’s son, David, before Kirk finally defeats him.
Kruge brought a renewed interest in the Klingons which became an integral part of the storytelling of future films. He wasn’t seeking vengeance, but he still made his beef with Kirk personal, albeit unintentionally.
4General Chang – Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country
Speaking of Klingons, General Chang is a throwback to the evil Klingons ofThe Original Series. He is opposed tothe upcoming treatybetween the Federation and the Klingon Empire, sohe frames Kirk for the murder of the Klingon Chancellor.
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His actions ultimately lead to peace between the Federation and Klingons, along with members of the latter group, like Worf, joining the former in future installments of the series.
