When thinking of Ridley Scott's Gladiator, your first thought may be the electric performance by the films hero Russel Crowe. Though the most chilling performance belonged to Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Commodus. Commodus was a cold and unrelenting villain that brought chills to audiences. Joaquin Phoenix may not have taken home the Oscar for playing Commodus in Gladiator, but his performance go down as one of the most chilling villains in film history.