Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Sauron

Okay, so Sauron may not exist physically except in a flashback, but there's no denying that he is the film's main antagonist, despite all of the other evil things running around Middle-earth.

Sauron is the guy who started it all. His little ploy with the Rings of Power worked to perfection, and even after being defeated, his presence remains in the One Ring and is depicted by the all-seeing eye that rests at the tower of Barad-dûr.

It may be uncommon for an antagonist to not really make an appearance, but the deep, seductively evil of the Ring leaves no doubt that Sauron is still the puppet master, pulling the strings to regain control of his domain.