10. Michael Badalucco as David Berkowitz in Summer of Sam (1999)

Spike Lee's meditation on sodomy is total shit, but Michael's insane turn as "The Son of Sam" is pretty damn funny! Very freaky, indeed. Check it out.

9. Tony Curtis as Albert DeSalvo in The Boston Strangler (1968)

A very understated performance, it easily ranks along side his work in Sweet Smell of Success as his strongest dramtic work to date. The visual style of the film reinforces Curtis as a believable and demented suspect.

8. Charles Chaplin as Henri Verdoux in Monsieur Verdoux (1947)

Chaplin plays a suave and sophisticated bluebeard who murders elderly women for their riches. People hated this film when it came out, but Chaplin's smarmy Verdoux is an outstanding creation on par with any variation of his "Little Tramp" character.

7. Brian Cox/Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter in Manhunter (1986)/ The Silence of The Lambs (1991)

The most popular modern-day screen ghoul is given two different readings by these fine actors. Both performances are strong interpretations of the character: Cox's Hannibal is a very reserved psychopath, while Hopkin's interpretation is as gothic as the Frankenstein monster. Hopkins has had the luxury of two other films to make the role officially his own. However, Cox's Lecter is just as relevent as Sir Anthony's, possibly more so.

6. David Warner as Jack the Ripper in Time After Time (1979)

A wonderful fantasy film, filled with humor and romance, it also features this bloody killer in modern day San Francisco. Warner's Jack is not out of his element in the modern urban jungle and continues his evil ways without missing a step. A chilling performance by a great character actor.

5. Benoit Poelvoorde as Ben in Man Bites Dog (1992)

Ah, the fame of a killer. Benoit's Ben, the subject of a documentary, comments on the state of the world while he goes about his random killings. A bit too much at times, but an outstanding creepy, comic performance. Gruesome is an understatement.

4. Ted Levine as Jame 'Buffalo Bill' Gumb in Silence of the Lambs (1991)

"It puts the lotion in the basket…"

Is there a creepier performance in modern cinema? I don't think so. Levine, usually cast in supporting roles as an officer of the law, gets to flex his freak muscle in this campy, scary performance.

3. Joseph Cotton as Uncle Charlie in Shadow of A Doubt (1943)

Oh, Uncle Charlie's got issues with women...lots of 'em! Cotton's performance is quite menacing, never veering over the edge, as is evident in his unhinged performance in Niagara (1957). Teresa Wright, as the snoopy niece, pushes the right buttons and sends Jo Cotton into one hell of a tailspin. Shadow Of A Doubt is an underrated classic by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock.

2. Kevin Spacey as John Doe in Se7en (1995)

Spacey's dispenser of the seven deadly sins upon the inhabitants of a nameless metropolitan is a nasty little role. This is Spacey before Spacey was Spacey. His delivery, and disturbing sense of detachment, hasn't been equaled since.

1. Michael Rooker as Henry in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1987)

The pinnacle of serial killer flicks. It doesn't get any bleaker than this little bundle of hope. Gorey. Disgusting. Insulting. God, it's brilliant.