The Villain (1917): cast, story & where to watch
1917 · Film · ★ 5
Released in 1917, The Villain is a comedy film directed by Arvid E. Gillstrom, running about 21 minutes.
What it’s about. In The Villain, Billy attempted something a little different. He's still imitating Chaplin, but this time he's playing the wicked, top-hatted Charlie found in some of his earliest Keystone appearances (e.g. Mabel at the Wheel), the ones where Charlie himself seemed to be imitating the studio's recently departed Ford Sterling. Throughout this short there is much spoofing of old-time melodramas, a frequent motif of Sterling's comedies.
Who’s in it. The Villain stars Billy West as The Villain, Oliver Hardy as Nell, Florence McLaughlin as Florence and Bud Ross as Nell's Sweetheart, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, The Villain has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Villain page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Villain tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Villain (1917)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Villain change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Villain worth watching?
- The Villain holds an audience score of 5.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Villain?
- The Villain stars Billy West, Oliver Hardy, Florence McLaughlin, Bud Ross and Ethelyn Gibson.
- When was The Villain released?
- The Villain was released in 1917, with a runtime of about 21 minutes.