If you’ve lived in Salem for more than five minutes, you basically expect to be kidnapped, brainwashed, or held hostage in a secret underground bunker. It’s just how things go. For over five decades, Days of our Lives villains have been the real engine behind the show’s longevity. While the "supercouples" get the magazine covers, the bad guys keep the ratings high because, let’s be honest, watching Marlena Evans and John Black have a quiet picnic is boring. We want the chaos. We want the explosions. We want the legendary Stefano DiMera laughing from a surveillance room while stroking a ring.
Salem isn't like other soap towns. It’s more supernatural, more sci-fi, and way more unhinged. You have villains who don't just want your money; they want your soul, your face, or your literal memories. It’s a specific kind of brand that requires a specific kind of actor to pull off without looking ridiculous.
The Phoenix and the Legacy of Stefano DiMera
You can’t talk about Days of our Lives villains without starting with the G.O.A.T. Stefano DiMera, played by the late, irreplaceable Joseph Mascolo, changed the show forever when he debuted in 1982. Before him, the show was mostly about hospital drama and family squabbles. Stefano brought the "international criminal mastermind" energy that turned the soap into an adventure series.
He wasn't just a bad guy. He was "The Phoenix." He "died" dozens of times. He was blown up, shot, pushed off buildings, and even had a heart attack or two. Every time, he came back. That’s the thing about Stefano—he represented the idea that evil never actually goes away; it just regenerates. His obsession with Marlena Evans, whom he called his "Queen of Night," drove decades of storytelling. It wasn't just about hate; it was about a twisted, possessive love that saw him treat people like chess pieces.
Honestly, the show has struggled to fill that void since Mascolo passed away. They’ve tried with "Steve-ano" (Steve Johnson with Stefano’s memories) and through his children, but there’s only one original. The DiMera family remains the primary source of conflict in Salem, but Stefano was the sun they all orbited.
When the Heroine Becomes the Villain: The Possession
One of the most controversial but iconic moves in soap history happened in the mid-90s. Taking the show's most beloved, saintly character—Dr. Marlena Evans—and having her possessed by the Devil. This turned a hero into one of the most terrifying Days of our Lives villains ever seen.
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People hated it at first. Then they couldn't stop watching.
It broke all the rules. Marlena wasn't just being "bad"; she was levitating, turning into a panther, and setting fire to churches. It gave Deidre Hall a chance to chew the scenery in a way soap actresses rarely get to do. When she was possessed, the stakes felt cosmic. It shifted the show’s DNA toward the supernatural, a move that still defines Days today. They even revisited the storyline recently, proving that the fans' appetite for "Mar-Devil" hasn't really faded, even if it’s totally campy.
Victor Kiriakis: The Ruthless Businessman
Not every villain needs a dungeon or a laser beam. Some just need a sharp tongue and a Greek shipping empire. Victor Kiriakis, played by John Aniston, was the "grounded" villain. He was the mob-adjacent patriarch who would ruin your life over a business deal or a family insult.
Victor was great because he was funny. His insults were legendary. He didn't necessarily want to destroy the world; he just wanted to own it. Unlike Stefano, Victor eventually softened into a "grumpy grandpa" role, but in the 80s and 90s? He was terrifying. He’d have you "taken care of" before his morning espresso.
The New Breed of Chaos: Kristen DiMera and Beyond
The modern era of Days of our Lives villains is heavily carried by the women. Kristen DiMera is perhaps the most complex of the bunch. Originally played by Eileen Davidson and later Stacey Haiduk, Kristen is a master of the "long con."
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She’s stolen embryos.
She’s worn realistic masks to impersonate other women (a weirdly common occurrence in Salem).
She’s raped priests.
Kristen is driven by an absolute, pathological need for love—usually Brady Black’s love. That’s what makes her scary. She isn't trying to be evil for the sake of it; she genuinely thinks she’s the hero of her own tragic romance. You almost feel bad for her until she pushes someone out of a window.
Then you have the wild cards like Clyde Weston. Clyde is a different flavor of villain—he’s "country fried" evil. He doesn't have the DiMera polish or the Kiriakis money. He’s just a thug with a high IQ. His presence in Salem usually means the show is leaning back into its gritty, crime-thriller roots, which provides a nice contrast to the more "mad scientist" plots involving Dr. Rolf.
Why We Can't Stop Watching These Monsters
Soap fans are a loyal bunch. We don't just love to hate these villains; we actually kind of root for them. Why? Because the villains are the ones with agency. They make things happen. Without Leo Stark causing a scene or Sloan Petersen (before her exit) scheming to keep a baby secret, the heroes would just sit around the Brady Pub eating chowder.
There’s also the "redemption arc" factor. In Salem, you can literally murder someone and be invited to Thanksgiving dinner two years later. It’s part of the charm. Look at EJ DiMera. He started as a truly dark, predatory figure, and now he’s a leading man. The line between "villain" and "complicated hero" is incredibly thin in Days.
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Real-World Impact and Fan Reception
It’s worth noting that the actors who play these villains often say they have the most fun. Joseph Mascolo famously loved playing Stefano because the character was so "big." For the audience, these villains provide a safe way to explore themes of betrayal, power, and revenge. According to various soap opera historians and fan polls on sites like Soap Opera Digest, the villains are consistently the most talked-about characters during "Sweeps" periods.
What People Often Get Wrong About Salem’s Bad Guys
A common misconception is that these villains are one-dimensional. People think, "Oh, it’s just a soap, they’re just being mean." But if you look at the writing for someone like Ava Vitali, there’s a lot of focus on mental health and trauma. Her villainy comes from a place of deep instability.
Another mistake is thinking the "big bads" always lose. In Days, the villains win a lot. They might go to prison for a week, but they’re usually back on the streets of Salem by the next cliffhanger. This lack of permanent justice is what keeps the tension high. You never know when a villain is actually "done."
How to Keep Up With the Villains Today
If you’re trying to track the current state of Days of our Lives villains, the landscape is shifting. With the move to Peacock, the show has gotten a bit more "adult," allowing the villains to be a little more visceral in their threats.
- Watch the DiMera mansion: Most of the trouble starts there.
- Pay attention to the "dead": No one stays dead in Salem. If a villain dies, start a timer for their return.
- Look for the masks: If a character is acting weird, it’s probably a villain in a prosthetic mask. Honestly, it happens more than you'd think.
To truly understand the show, you have to embrace the absurdity. You have to accept that a man can be brainwashed into thinking he’s a different person for twenty years, or that a villain can control the weather with a satellite.
Next Steps for the Dedicated Viewer:
If you're looking to dive deeper into the history of Salem's underworld, start by researching the "Melaswen" storyline (2003-2004). It remains the most ambitious—and polarizing—villain-driven plot in the show's history, involving the "serial killing" of half the cast. Additionally, keep an eye on the official Peacock "Days" archives, which often highlight "Villain Weeks" to catch you up on the backstories of the DiMera and Kiriakis dynasties. Understanding the past rivalries between Stefano and Victor is essential for grasping why their children still can't stand each other today.