Warning: this article contains spoilers.
It is no secret that Villanelle inKilling Eveis one of the greatest and most well-developed characters of contemporary television. Typically described as a psychopath, her complex and unpredictable personality remains captivating on screen, asher appetite for murderas an assassin for a criminal group was shocking and comedic all in one breath.
Portrayed on screen by BAFTA and Emmy award-winning actress Jodie Comer, her chemistry with Sandra Oh’s Eve was instant and undeniable. Her obsession with Eve was the leading aspect of the show as a cat-and-mouse game ensued between the two women seeking to find and bring down the other. With a great character ultimately comes a script with some fantastic one-liners. Comer became well-known for delivering these very quotable phrases with a sharp and often deadpan wit.
10"Smell me, Eve" (3x03)
In an iconic and powerful bus scene, this quote takes place in the midst of an emotional and angry reunion between Eve and Villanelle. When Eve becomes volatile, Villanelle attempts to restrain her on the public bus and further chaos ensues.
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Up until this point in season three, Eve is visibly struggling to lead a normal life after leaving her job at MI6 and dealing with her grief. What else could viewers expect after their last explosive meeting during the season two finale than Villanelle sneaking up on Eve to surprise her. The ensuing scene shows both characters acting to disarm and surprise each other.
9"I killed two people last night after I tried really hard not to." (4x03)
At the start of season four, Villanelle desperately seeks redemption but continually fails to get it because of her actions. During this episode, she effectively coerces a therapist to hold a session with her and the viewer actually gets some insight into her thought process.
This moment ends up paralleling the therapy scene in the first season, as Villanelle is instead seemingly trying to seek counsel forher murderous nature. Her quote here sounds comedic, but there is a deeper element to this scene here as though she is still trying to atone for her past actions.
8"You are the darkness. You have always been the darkness." (3x05)
“He wasn’t scared of me, he was sick of you. He knew I could see what you are.”
This episode in season three, “Are You From Pinner?” takes the viewer on a turbulent journey as Villanelle returns to Russia totrace her roots. After spending the entire episode reuniting with her family, Villanelle and her mother have a brutal confrontation in which Villanelle painfully realizes her origin story.
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In a gut-wrenching family bonding gone wrong, Villanelle finally learns the truth about the mother who rejected her. This is another moment inKilling Evewhere her vulnerability seeps through, but yet she still commands all the power in the scene.
7"I think I need to kill you, Mama." (3x05)
Immediately after the last quote, in a shocking twist in this episode brings a turbulent scene between mother and daughter to an end. The episode itself hasa spectacular finalein which Villanelle sets fire to her family’s house whilst some of them are inside. Having already killed her mother, the viewer is not shown this death like Villanelle’s other murders, making it feel more impactful.
Villanelle leaves the scene and takes a train away from her hometown, breaking down on the train whilst listening to music. This ending acts as a signpost moment that she is sinking further into insanity as she finds reconciling her past a challenge.
6"I think my monster encourages your monster, right?" (3x08)
In an emotional encounter on Tower Bridge in London, Eve and Villanelle speak about the direction that their lives have gone in the season three finale. Eve’s response to the above quote addresses how she wanted to chase Villanelle and embrace the dark side within her. Viewers are shown the full journey that the two have been on together and how neither of them want the ride to end.
As neither of them can walk away, the viewer is transfixed by the thought of what could happen next. This still remains a heart-wrenching and brilliant ending to season three as it ischaracteristically unpredictable.
5"You should never tell a psychopath they are a psychopath…" (1x05)
“…it upsets them.”
From the season one episode, “I Have a Thing About Bathrooms,” this quote comes from Villanelle and Eve’s first sit down interaction after Villanelle breaks into Eve’s home and demands to have dinner with her. As this is their first chance to interact closely with one another, sparks fly as the two try to interrogate one another.
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This moment remains a fascinating insight into what their relationship is becoming, as Villanelle warns Eve not to push her too far. It leaves viewers guessing if this is a fight for dominance, or is it something deeper that fuels their desire to chase each other.
“…but other than that I think I’m OK.”
Near the start of the show, Villanelle’s bosses are concerned about her state of mind, and so she must see a therapist under the watchful eye of Konstantin. Dressed in the unforgettable pink dress, she mocks the session in an attempt to attempt to get the upper hand in the conversation.
The line about her heavy period is both incredibly funny and is delivered completely out of nowhere. It perfectly encapsulates her personality and for the first time gives the viewer a sense of who Villanelle really is and whather motivationsas an assassin are.
3"I failed my driver’s test." (2x02)
“Nice and Neat” is an intense episode that actually shows Villanelle as not only vulnerable, but with a total loss of control in a captivating twist. After she tricks Julian, a seemingly Good Samaritan, into taking her into his home, he tries to trap her at his house. With several unexpected twists and turns during the episode, this quote stars at the top of the list.
Her distress code on the phone is the ingenious, “My name is Cher Horwitz, I failed my driving test.” It falls on deaf ears, however, and the young assassin must come up with a new way to free herself. This is arguably one ofKilling Eve’s best, as Villanelle must use every ounce of skill anddetermination to escape.
2"This is so BORING!" (2x04)
When Villanelle and Konstantin visit the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Villanelle is less than impressed. When Konstantin wants her to appreciate the beautiful artwork in front of her, she decides to shout her contempt. Given that the museum was silent, her exclamation is outrageous and funny in equal measure.
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A surprising twist in this scene is that Kim Bodnia, who plays Konstantin, did not know that Jodie Comer was going to shout the word “boring,” as it was improvised. His surprise being so genuine makes the moment very memorable.
1"Sorry baby x" (1x04)
The most memorable quote is written rather than spoken, as Villanelle gifts Eve expensive clothes, perfume, and a handwritten note saying: “Sorry baby x.” Whilst an interesting and seemingly terrifying way to apologize for upsetting Eve after a string of murders, it is a pivotal point in the show.
Eve’s absolute shock and disbelief rules the scene as, at the beginning ofKilling Eve, she fears Villanelle. Yet, she is fascinated by her and the gifts and wants to learn more about this unhinged character. The note remains unforgettable.
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