Hold onto your seats, because we’re about to crown the most notorious traitor in history—and the competition is fiercer than ever! The Ringer’s Ultimate Traitor Bracket has whittled down 64 contenders to a Final Four that’s nothing short of legendary: Brutus, Judas, Benedict Arnold, and Anakin Skywalker. These aren’t just traitors; they’re the names that echo through time as the ultimate betrayers. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a fictional character like Anakin truly rival historical figures like Brutus or Judas? Let’s dive in.
First, let’s recap how we got here. In the Elite Eight, Brutus edged out Scar, proving that Shakespeare’s influence runs deep—even if Scar’s betrayal of Mufasa was downright ruthless. Meanwhile, Darth Vader (Anakin’s alter ego) surprisingly defeated Cain, one of the Bible’s original villains. And this is the part most people miss: while Vader’s iconic status is undeniable, Cain’s betrayal set the bar for treachery millennia ago. Sadly, we won’t see a biblical vs. galactic showdown in the finals.
Judas and Benedict Arnold, however, sailed through their matchups with relative ease. Judas trounced Cypher from The Matrix with a staggering 75% of the vote, cementing his place as the archetype of betrayal. Benedict Arnold, meanwhile, outpaced Walder Frey, whose Red Wedding massacre pales in comparison to Arnold’s betrayal of an entire nation. But here’s a thought: is Arnold’s treachery more forgivable than Judas’s, given his motivations? Let the debate begin.
Now, the Final Four is set for an epic clash. It’s Brutus vs. Judas—a battle of ancient Rome versus the New Testament. And on the other side, Benedict Arnold faces Anakin Skywalker—America’s traitor versus the galaxy’s. A musket against a lightsaber. A republic against an empire. Who deserves the title of Ultimate Traitor? The polls are open until 6 p.m. ET on Instagram and below, so cast your vote now!
Brutus vs. Judas: Brutus, the man who stabbed Julius Caesar and inadvertently doomed Roman democracy, is a traitor so infamous that Dante reserved a special place for him in hell. Judas, on the other hand, sold out Jesus for a pittance, becoming the eternal symbol of betrayal. But which act was more damaging? Did Brutus’s miscalculation shape history more than Judas’s moment of weakness?
Benedict Arnold vs. Anakin Skywalker: Arnold’s name is synonymous with treason, but let’s not forget—he was a war hero before his fall. Anakin, however, went from chosen one to child murderer, turning his back on everything he was destined to protect. Is Arnold’s betrayal more relatable, or does Anakin’s descent into darkness make him the greater traitor?
This isn’t just a bracket—it’s a battle of ideologies, motivations, and legacies. Who will emerge as the most heinous traitor of all time? Vote now, and let’s settle this once and for all. May the worst traitor win—and may the debates in the comments be as fiery as the competition itself!
