Robert Downey Jr.'s Disturbing '90s Horror Film Will Alter Your Perception of the Marvel Actor

Today, Robert Downey Jr. is celebrated as the central figure of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first three phases. His role as Tony Stark in Iron Man perfectly established the MCU, largely thanks to Downey Jr.'s unforgettable performance. However, it is hard to imagine the actor stepping into the shoes of a truly menacing antagonist and not the likes of Doctor Doom.

In 1999, Downey Jr. took on the role of the main villain, Vivian Thompson, in the psychological horror film In Dreams. The movie, largely forgotten today, was critically panned and performed poorly at the box office. Over the years, it has not gained the status of a cult classic, but it remains a notable entry in Downey Jr.'s filmography due to the unusual nature of the role and the genre.

Vivian Thompson: Downey Jr.'s Only Serious Villain

In Dreams centers on Claire Cooper (Annette Bening), a woman who experiences prophetic dreams, including ones that foreshadow her daughters murder. As her visions intensify and darken, she appears to develop a telepathic connection with the disturbed serial killer Vivian Thompson, played by Downey Jr. When the authorities dismiss Claires warnings and refuse her assistance, she takes matters into her own hands, leading to a tense and twisted game of cat and mouse.

While Downey Jr. has occasionally played morally ambiguous characters, Vivian Thompson stands out as his only deeply sinister villain. He did portray a minor antagonist in the 2006 remake of The Shaggy Dog, but that was far less threatening. Interestingly, Downey Jr. was also considered for the role of Scarecrow in Batman Begins, a part that ultimately went to Cillian Murphy.

Looking ahead, Downey Jr. is set to take on the MCU's version of Doctor Doom. While the character sometimes leans toward anti-hero in the comics, it remains unclear how this portrayal will unfold. For now, Vivian Thompson in In Dreams remains his only fully fleshed-out villain, even if the film itself has largely been forgotten.

Author: Sophia Brooks