Survivoris a show about people. Despite the dangers that nature poses and the difficulties that come with the challenges, the person who wins the game is often the one who knows how to deal with people. And it’s the social aspect of the show that’s madeSurvivora cultural phenomenon. However, this is easier said than done consideringSurvivorhas seen just about every type of person play the game.
To make things even more difficult, not everyone who plays the game is looking to play fair or nice. Indeed, the show has had its fair share of memorable villains throughout its many seasons. These players often stir the pot and create drama that makes the game more difficult for players and infinitely more entertaining for viewers. This is why the villain is one of the most important parts of the show. In honor of these sly players, here are our picks of the fifteen best villains inSurvivorhistory.
15Jesse Lopez (Survivor 43)
WhileSurvivor 43is often regarded as a season with no true villains, we think Jesse should be considered one of the best villains in the show. Jesse, along withhis ally Cody Assenmacher, managed to orchestrate blindside after blindside as they got rid of their competition with relative ease.
While this can just be considered good gameplay, Jesse soon turns on Cody due to his growing insecurity. This ultimately leads him to betray his ally, which leads to Cody’s elimination.
14David Wright (Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X)
David is on this list because he’s managed to constantly get far in the game solely by successfully maneuvering around everyone else. His ability to play the social game carries him throughSurvivordespite him severely lacking in the other aspects of the game.
13Kass McQuillen (Survivor: Cagayan)
Kass is remembered for being an agent of chaos in the game ofSurvivor. Her erratic and unpredictable behavior has helped her live up to her “Chaos Kass” moniker, as she’s able to create and upend alliances in a heartbeat. Her strategic mind and willingness to betray allies are what make Chaos Kass a great villain.
12Corrine Kaplan (Survivor: Gabon)
While some of the players on this list may have earned their spot through sleazy play, Corrine is here purely because of how mean she was. Corinne may just be the most unapologetically abrasive player ever to be on the show. If Corinne had a problem with you, you would surely know about it as she was never one to hold back what was on her mind.
11Jonny Fairplay (Survivor: Pearl Islands)
To fans of the show, Jonny Fairplay needs no introduction. Jonny is simply one of the most iconic villains in the series. This is why it would be an injustice to leave him off this list. However, some of you may be wondering why Fairplay is so low on a list rankingthe best villainsofSurvivor.
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The answer is simple: he’s pretty bad at playing the game. While the infamous “Dead Grandma” lie may be one of the more vile lies ever told on the show, all Jonny had won from it was a night at camp with his pal from home. If Jonny’s villainy had resulted in more impactful wins, then Fairplay would surely be higher on this list.
10Jerri Manthey (Survivor: The Australian Outback)
Before Parvati Shallows, there was Jerri Manthey. Jerri is the original female villain, as she’s considered to be the first female player who approached the game in a way that didn’t stray away from being outspoken or acting in an abrasive manner.
While this often made her a target and made her time inSurvivorinfinitely more difficult, this has also made her one of the most memorable villains in Survivor history. She would be higher on this list had it not been for her performance inSurvivor: Heroes vs. Villains. While she didn’t perform poorly, Jerri’s approach to the game wasn’t cutthroat and was more methodical.
9Rob Cesternino (Survivor: The Amazon)
A huge part of being a villain inSurvivoris being able to manipulate people. And very few people practiced the art of deception better than Rob Cesternino. Rob could weave in and out of alliances as he saw fit. And while he’s never one, Rob consistently performs well whenever he is called back to participate in the show.
8Brian Heidik (Survivor: Thailand)
Brian is a great villain in the sense that he won a lot. While winning is important, the way Brian didn’t isn’t nearly as impressive as the other villains on this list. Brian is known for not trusting anyone and betraying everyone. And while it’s a feat in itself to win that way, the lack of emotional connection to the other players made his game feel a little one-dimensional.
7Abi-Maria Gomes (Survivor: Philippines)
Abi-Maria was the main character before being the main character was a thing. We mean this in the worst way possible, as Abi-Maria is simply one of the most obnoxious characters to ever be onSurvivor. And while she wasn’t very effective when it came to how she played the game, Abi-Maria is a player that audiences love to hate. At the end of the day, that’s the most important thing that a villain needs to be.
6Natalie Bolton (Survivor: Micronesia)
Good villains are smart and there are very few players that played the game like Natalie Bolton. Unlike the other villains on this list, Natalie isn’t nearly as loud or ostentatious. Her subtle approach to the game is what made her such a deadly villain. Natalie is best remembered forher strategic moves, the most memorable of which is when she manages to convince Erik to give up his immunity necklace.
