Like any hero, Supergirl has tangled with many villains over her show's six seasons. This DC CW series has pitted Superman's cousin against baddies from both Earth and beyond. The sad thing is that most of them have the same problem as The Flash: few of them are anything to write home about beyond their powers. These antagonists are often underwhelming due to their hammy acting, the typical CW melodrama, or the show's political pandering.
Some adversaries, though, have managed to stand out from the pack of glorified thugs. They achieve menace and/or intrigue without going over the top. They're some of the few bright spots in a sea of disposable deviants. Most of them are Superman villains, which is fitting considering the show is basically a gender-swapped Superman story. Here are the ones that stand out among the show's baddies.
10 Metallo
Frederick Schmidt's John Corben may not amount to much in the grand scheme of things. On his own, though, he's fairly faithful and effective in his brief appearance. Appropriately enough, he debuts as a hired thug wielding robotic weapons against Superman and Supergirl. When he emerges as a cyborg with a Kryptonite core, he proves more than a match for both of them. It's almost as potent as the memes.
Beyond the story, Schmidt has a snarky class about him, and fans love to hate his cockiness. He later supplements this with a Terminator-esque focus as the mechanical menace. Sure, it's obvious and predictable, but it still works. Plus, he's infinitely more dignified than the laughable excuse for Cyborg Superman later in the season.
9 Toyman
Jeremy Jordan may bear the character's comic name, but Henry Czerny more capably carries the villain mantle as Winn's dad. In many ways, it's beneficial for him to have few episodes, as this doesn't let him get caught up in the typical teen drama.
Instead, he's allowed to bask in demented delight. He gives his methodical delivery a slight bounce that would sound wholesome in any other context. Here, though, it does a different job: selling a lunatic who wields whimsy as a weapon. The way he casually talks about bombing his enemies with rigged toys is effectively unsettling. What's more, inviting his son to join in like it's a walk in the park makes it all the creepier.
8 Livewire
The DC Animated Universe writers created several villains that later bevame comic mainstays. The most popular is Harley Quinn, but they also found success with Livewire. This sassy shock jock suffers an electrical accident, leading her on a path of chaos and vengeance against those responsible.
This show brings the villainess into the modern era. Brit Morgan's Livewire is like an evil podcaster or other online presence. She may not have the energy of her animated counterpart, but she makes up for it with her sarcastic edge and sadistic glee. She takes pride and pleasure in being a supercharged freak. Then again, she wants to rid the world of Calista Flockhart's Cat Grant. That's just about the noblest goal of anyone in the show.
7 Music Meister
This flamboyant felon may have had noble intentions, but he still causes trouble on two parallel Earths. That said, his actions do let Melissa Benoist and Grant Gustin show off their vocal skills. That's always nice.
Darren Criss makes the most of his limited screen time in this Flash/Supergirl crossover, bringing a classical swagger to this interdimensional trickster. His warm enthusiasm suits a theatrical villain like the Music Meister. Part of you is meant to like him, after all. He can even sing, which is the most important qualification.
6 Maxwell Lord
Despite the first season desperately trying to sell the cartoonish Kryptonian baddies as the real threat, this slimy suit steals the show. Maxwell Lord cooks up all kinds of schemes behind the scenes, and he's always a joy to watch because of it.
This was mainly due to Peter Facinelli's immense charm. His cocky smirk and confident energy often elevate the juvenile writing. He acts like a stereotypically pompous jerk because he's assured enough of his own appeal. As a result, viewers can't help but smile whenever he strolls in.
5 White Martians
These guys' menace comes not so much from themselves, but from what they represent and the impact they leave on others. The monstrous White Martians wiped out most other life on their planet, leaving J'onn J'onzz/Martian Manhunter as one of the few survivors. This genocide gives them a foreboding undertone akin to the apocalypse.
In addition, their shapeshifting abilities lend themselves to some suspenseful whodunit moments. The characters and audiences alike become paranoid of everyone in the room. It worked in The Thing, and it works here.
4 Red Daughter
The creators tried this type of tale with Bizarro Supergirl in Season 1, but it's more fleshed out here. Because of multiverse madness, another Kara comes into existence. The difference is that she lands in Russia, where she's raised by Lex Luthor.
Melissa Benoist revels in this new character. She's more cynical than the mainline Girl of Steel, yet no less passionate. Like the many misguided versions of Superman, the Red Daughter isn't fundamentally evil; she simply wants the same happiness and companionship as her counterpart. Viewers see that tragic envy clearly on Benoist's face. She portrays a deep-seated sadness that draws audiences in despite her murderous intentions.
3 Lena Luthor
Lena starts off as composed as one would expect from a Luthor. Over several seasons, however, the barriers come down and the layers peel back to reveal her emotional vulnerability. This is a woman who's always grappled with not only the stigma of her criminal family, but also from being seen as the disappointing child.
When she discovers the deception of Kara, one of her only true friends, it naturally brings her dormant pain to the surface. Katie McGrath conveys all of this through subtle nuance. One wouldn't think that would work for this type of journey, but it feels appropriate for such a character.
2 Reign
The juiciest villains are often the dual-natured ones. Just look at Green Goblin in Spider-Man. While this doesn't match Willem Dafoe's grotesque grace, it's still a compelling story.
Single mom Sam is just trying to raise her daughter when she learns that she's the alien vessel for a ruthless despot known as Reign. Just another day in DC. When viewers see Sam's mind start to erode amidst the visions and blackouts, it's hard not to pity her. It becomes especially easy to empathize when Odette Annable puts her heart into both personas, embodying the unsure mother and dialing up the intensity as Reign. After the shallow seasonal baddies of past years, seeing a multifaceted antagonist was a breath of fresh air.
1 Lex Luthor
Few fans expected much from Jon Cryer, who infamously played Luthor's twit nephew in the more infamous Superman IV. Yet, to everyone's surprise, his turn here may be the best live-action Lex ever.
His cold, calculated delivery hides a seething menace, and the writing sells his Machiavellian intellect. It's as if he leapt right off the comic page. With seemingly little effort, he makes himself the center of every scene, with his dry charisma putting everyone else to shame. He's Superman's greatest enemy, and the same goes for Supergirl.