You probably went into the show thinking it was going to be an obvious whodunit. Maybe you suspected Xavier because he’s moody and draws monsters, or perhaps you thought Principal Weems was hiding something sinister behind that perfectly coiffed hair. But when we look at who is the villain in Wednesday, the answer isn't just one person—it’s a multi-layered betrayal that ties back to centuries of bigotry.
The Netflix hit didn't just give us a monster; it gave us a puppet and a puppeteer.
Most people get tripped up because the show uses a classic "red herring" strategy. It makes you look at the obvious outsiders. In reality, the darkness was sitting right in front of Wednesday Addams the entire time, masked by a fake smile and a floral-print office.
The Dual Threat: Marilyn Thornhill and Tyler Galpin
To really get who the bad guy is, you have to split the "villain" role into two distinct parts: the brains and the brawn.
The primary antagonist—the literal "Big Bad"—is Marilyn Thornhill, played by Christina Ricci. It’s a meta-casting choice that probably should have tipped us off sooner, considering Ricci was the iconic Wednesday of the 90s. Thornhill is actually Laurel Gates, the descendant of Joseph Crackstone. She’s been living a lie, embedding herself at Nevermore Academy to exact a long-simmering revenge against outcasts.
Then there’s the Hyde.
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Tyler Galpin is the monster. He’s the one physically tearing people apart in the woods. But here’s the kicker: Tyler is a victim of his own biology and Thornhill's manipulation. He’s a Hyde, a species of outcast that stays dormant until a "master" unlocks them through hypnosis or chemical triggers. Thornhill found out Tyler’s mother was an outcast and used that trauma to turn him into her personal hitman. It’s tragic, honestly. Tyler isn't just a killer; he's a weapon that was sharpened by a sociopath.
Why Marilyn Thornhill is the Real Villain
Thornhill’s villainy is rooted in a very human, very ugly place: ancestral hatred. She isn't a monster with claws. She’s a person who believes she is the hero of her own story.
She spent years meticulously planning the resurrection of Joseph Crackstone, the fanatical founder of Jericho. To do this, she needed specific body parts from various victims—hence the "monster" attacks that looked like random maulings. They weren't random. They were surgical harvests.
- She needed a thumb.
- She needed a kidney.
- She needed the blood of Wednesday Addams.
Thornhill’s ability to blend in is what makes her so dangerous. She played the "normie" teacher who just wanted to help the kids. She was the only one who seemed to "get" Wednesday's coldness without judging it. That kind of emotional manipulation is way scarier than a big CGI monster.
The Crackstone Connection
We can't talk about who is the villain in Wednesday without mentioning Joseph Crackstone. While Thornhill is the modern antagonist, Crackstone is the ideological source. He represents the historical persecution of anyone who is "different." When Thornhill finally brings him back to life using Wednesday’s blood, he doesn't thank her. He immediately sets out to burn Nevermore to the ground. It’s a cycle of violence that spans generations, showing that the real "villain" of the show might actually be intolerance itself.
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The Tragedy of Tyler Galpin
A lot of fans still debate whether Tyler is truly evil. It’s a fair question.
Think about it. He was a regular guy—sorta—living in a town that hated his mother's kind. Thornhill dragged him to a cave, chained him up, and forced his transformation. Once a Hyde is triggered, they develop a physiological bond with their master.
But by the end of the season, Tyler seems to enjoy the carnage. He tells Wednesday in the police station that he remembers every scream and that it felt delicious. That’s the moment he stops being just a victim. He leaned into the darkness. Whether that was his choice or a side effect of the Hyde's nature is one of those things the show leaves a bit blurry.
Misconceptions: Was Xavier Thorpe Ever a Villain?
No. Poor Xavier was just a textbook red herring.
The showrunners did a great job making him look suspicious. He had psychic dreams about the monster. He had a private shed full of creepy paintings. He even had scratches on his neck. But in the world of Wednesday, being "creepy" doesn't make you a villain. In fact, the people who look the most like villains are usually the ones you need to protect.
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Xavier was just a lonely kid with a literal "tortured artist" vibe. The real villains are usually the ones who look "normal." That’s a huge theme in the Addams Family universe: the "normal" people are often the most monstrous.
What This Means for Season 2
Since we know who is the villain in Wednesday (or who was), the vacuum left behind is massive. Thornhill is presumably dead—bees are a rough way to go—and Crackstone is dissolved. But Tyler?
Tyler is still out there.
The final shot of the season shows him transforming in the back of a transport van. He’s free, he’s pissed, and he no longer has a master. A masterless Hyde is a wildcard. This shifts the dynamic from a "whodunit" to a "survival" story. Wednesday also received those threatening texts from a mysterious stalker, which suggests that while Thornhill was the main threat of the first year, there’s a larger conspiracy at play.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're re-watching the series or getting ready for the next chapter, keep these insights in mind to catch the clues you missed:
- Watch the boots: In early episodes, you can see the footwear of the person in the woods. Compare them to Thornhill's practical teacher shoes.
- Listen to the plant metaphors: Thornhill constantly talks about invasive species and "poisonous" things disguised as beautiful flowers. She’s literally telling you who she is.
- Track Tyler’s mood swings: Notice how his personality shifts right after he spends time "working" for Thornhill. The grooming is subtle but present.
- The "Normie" Rule: In Nevermore, the biggest threat rarely comes from the kids with fangs or fur. It comes from the people who claim to be "civilized."
The real takeaway is that Wednesday Addams was right to be cynical. In a world where everyone wears a mask, the girl who refuses to smile is the only one seeing things clearly. The villain wasn't a ghost or a legend; it was a grudge held by a woman who couldn't let the past stay buried.