Killing Eve: 15 Iconic Villanelle Moments

Sandra Oh is scooping up awards for her portrayal of Eve an MI6 agent obsessed with a skilled female assassin known as Villanelle on Killing Eve. But as the Russian beauty tells Eve, “The only thing interesting about you is me.”

It’s Jodie Comer’s performance as the murderous teen turned gun for hire that has viewers mesmerized.

Unarguably, and unapologetically a psychopath, Villanelle makes being bad look like so much fun. She’s far from sugar and spice and everything nice, and that’s just how we like her.

Here are our picks for Villanelle’s most iconic moments:

1. Oops, Sorry Not Sorry

On Killing Eve Season 1 Episode 1, “Nice Face,” a lovely woman sits alone enjoying a small bowl of ice cream. Right away, we know she’s not what she seems, maybe it’s because she has to practice displaying basic human emotions.

While the depth of her depravity has yet to be revealed, bullying a young girl — or anyone — turns out to be classic Villanelle. Does she do it for any other reason than just to give herself a moment of pleasure, or does she resent this girl enjoying the seemingly normal childhood Villanelle herself was denied?

2. What About Anna?

Even assassins can have their share of Human Resources headaches.

Villanelle’s increasingly attention-seeking behavior leads to a psychiatric evaluation on Killing Eve Season 1 Episode 2, “I’ll Deal With Him Later.” Clad in a cloud of pink tulle, it’s the first time we hear the name “Anna,” and the first time we see there’s someone who can throw Villanelle off her game. 

Defiant and glib throughout the entire session, Villanelle’s mask temporarily drops. Anna offers a clue as to not only why Villanelle is who she is now, but also why Villanelle might be so drawn to Eve.

3. Sharing Shepherds Pie

As Eve and Villanelle’s relationship intensifies and becomes increasingly complicated, Villanelle ups the ante by showing up for a surprise intimate dinner for two on Killing Eve Season 1 Episode 5, “I Have a Thing About Bathrooms.”

Villanelle attempts to play mind games but quickly learns Eve sees through the act. A little bit of business, and for Villanelle, a whole lot of pleasure. This isn’t the first time the two come face to face, but it’s significant because it begins to set the tone for their future interactions.

4. Handle with Care

Any girl’s bound to be testy after being thrown into a Russian prison to execute a co-worker/ex-girlfriend, beaten up by guards, and surviving a violent jailbreak. Add a nasty new boss to the mix, and you’ve got a metaphorical Molotov cocktail.

After meeting her new handler on Killing Eve Season 1 Episode 7, “I Don’t Want to Be Free,” Villanelle finds him so distasteful. She quickly disposes of him with a single shot. We realize how doting Konstantin is in comparison, and how much he really understands Villanelle needs coddling. 

Villanelle’s complete lack of respect for authority isn’t surprising, neither is the fact that she doesn’t fear repercussions. But for someone who pays such painstaking attention to the details regarding her marks, her impulsiveness is an interesting juxtaposition. 

5. Daddy Issues

Villanelle and Konstantin’s twisted father-daughter relationship hits a major snag on Killing Eve Season 1 Episode 7, “I Don’t Want to Be Free,” when she’s contracted to kill him. Whether Konstantin legitimately outsmarts Villanelle, or she simply drags her feet when it comes to murdering her only nearest and dearest, we’ll never know.

It’s a confrontation viewers could see coming. Whatever fondness Villanelle feels for Konstantin, she appears to operate by a surprisingly strict sense of honor when it comes to her work.

Either that or Villanelle can’t resist the impulse to watch the life drain from Konstantin’s eyes.

6. The Bad Girls Club

Every moment Villanelle spends with Konstantin’s daughter, Irina, on Killing Eve Season 1 Episode 8, “God, I’m Tired,” is pure gold.

Emotionally stunted Villanelle finds common ground with the precocious girl. As the two share burgers on a bench, Villanelle and her young charge’s efforts to one-up each other reeks of sibling rivalry. 

But it’s their shared understanding and acceptance of who and what Villanelle is at her core that forges a bond between them. Villanelle’s confirmation she’s a bad person is less interesting than the revelation that she works at it.

There is a part of Villanelle who occasionally shows a desire to do the right thing but doing wrong comes so much easier. 

7. The First Cut Is the Deepest

The Killing Eve Season 1 finale face-off between Eve and Villanelle is disarmingly intimate and rousingly erotic. After Eve confesses she has feelings for Villanelle, Eve proves its a very thin line between love and hate when she pushes a knife into her adversary.

Villanelle: I really liked you.

We see the almost always calm and collected Villanelle register some shock and awe at the revelation her crush isn’t ready to forgive, forget, consummate their relationship, and cuddle up to watch a movie. It’s a literal interpretation of what happens to anyone experiencing a crush.

Rejection can feel like a knife to the gut. Villanelle is ever vigilant, and one of the few times she lets her guard down, she proves to be just as vulnerable as anyone else. 

8. Dial M for Murder

After believing she’s tricked a supposed good Samaritan, Julian, into taking care of her on Killing Eve Season 2 Episode 2, “Nice and Neat,” Villanelle quickly discovers she’s trapped in a house with a British Norman Bates. Left with no other options, and growing more desperate as Julian recreates his own version of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, Villanelle tries to call Eve.

It seems even if you’re an international assassin wanted by British Intelligence, throwing yourself at the mercy of MI6 or even threats don’t guarantee you’ll bypass bureaucratic red tape. It’s a lesson Villanelle learns the hard way. 

If anyone deserves to be held captive by someone almost as mentally unstable as herself, it’s Villanelle. It’s karmic justice. Yet, we can empathize with her panic and frustration. 

9. Social Media Shaming

Villanelle’s flair isn’t confined to her creative kills. She’s a fashionista as well, willing to take chances and looking fabulous doing it. She doesn’t mind drawing attention to herself unless it’s unwanted such as an awe-struck girl in Amsterdam in search of Instagram material.

There’s the obvious reason why Villanelle wouldn’t want to have a social media presence — she’s a ruthless hired gun. But her disdain extends beyond that. Villanelle genuinely has a dislike for this woman who places value on something so inconsequential. 

To anyone else, this request would be flattering. To Villanelle, it’s an annoyance.

10. A Museum Meltdown

Some episodes provide an embarrassment of riches when it comes to great Villanelle moments and Killing Eve’s Season 2 Episode 4, “Desperate Times,” is one of those episodes. 

An idle Villanelle can be an especially troubling Villanelle which is why Konstantin drags her to a museum for a little culture. Always one to act on impulse, Villanelle makes her displeasure unknown.

It’s these times when we envy Villanelle for abandoning all social niceties just because she feels like it. She’s not constrained by any desire to be polite. One of the most appealing things about Villanelle is her uncanny talent for humor whether it’s intentional or accidental. 

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