CBS has a long-standing reputation for producing successful procedural dramas, and Criminal Minds, launched in 2005, is a prime example. The series plunges viewers into the world of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), an elite team of profilers dedicated to hunting down serial killers, known in the show as Unidentified Subjects or UnSubs. While Criminal Minds featured a revolving door of terrifying antagonists each week, portrayed by notable guest stars, Aubrey Plaza’s portrayal of Cat Adams stands out as particularly memorable. This Criminal Minds UnSub became a fan favorite, largely due to her complex dynamic with BAU agent Spencer Reid.
The Twisted History of Cat Adams in Criminal Minds
Unveiling Aubrey Plaza’s Dark Character
Aubrey Plaza’s debut as Cat Adams in the Criminal Minds season 11 episode “Entropy” marked a high point for the series. In this 2017 episode, Plaza embodies Cat Adams, a sophisticated serial killer and contract assassin entangled in a network the BAU is investigating. “Entropy” is a pressure cooker episode where Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) goes undercover, attempting to engage Adams for hire, only to find himself trapped in her deadly game of cat and mouse. During their unsettling “date,” Adams takes control, threatening to kill Reid if he fails to win her twisted game.
| Cat Adams Criminal Minds Episodes | Season and Episode Number |
|---|---|
| Entropy | Season 11, Episode 11 |
| Green Light (Part 1) | Season 12, Episode 21 |
| Red Light (Part 2) | Season 12, Episode 22 |
| Date Night | Season 15, Episode 6 |
Cat Adams’s recurring appearances in Criminal Minds solidified her impact, fueled by Plaza’s compelling performance, the character’s sharp intellect that rivaled Reid’s, and her disturbing backstory. The Criminal Minds UnSub Cat Adams’s childhood was marred by violence, with abuse at the hands of her father, Daniel, directed at both her and her mother, Laila. Daniel’s imprisonment for Laila’s manslaughter led to Cat being placed in foster care.
Tragically, the abuse continued in foster care, culminating in Cat Adams killing her foster father before seeking out Daniel after his release from prison. Her global search for him proved fruitless, leading her into a network of hitmen where she frequently targeted men. She became known by chilling monikers like “Miss .45” and “The Black Widow Killer,” and her murders were disturbingly personal.
Following her capture at the conclusion of “Entropy,” Aubrey Plaza’s Cat Adams became fixated on destroying Reid’s life, though her schemes were consistently thwarted. Ultimately, Cat Adams met her end through execution in the final season of Criminal Minds, cementing her legacy as one of the show’s most spine-chilling UnSubs.
Cat Adams’s Place Among Criminal Minds’ Most Sinister Killers
Aubrey Plaza Delivered a Top-Tier Criminal Minds Villain
Aubrey Plaza’s Cat Adams unquestionably ranks among the most unforgettable UnSubs in Criminal Minds history. For many viewers, she is a top, if not the top, villain. However, the competition is fierce. While Aubrey Plaza’s Criminal Minds character is undeniably chilling and unforgettable, the series boasts a rogues’ gallery of equally sinister UnSubs. Many, like Adams, are recurring antagonists who leave a lasting impact.
When considering recurring Criminal Minds UnSubs who personally tormented a BAU member as Cat Adams did to Reid, figures like The Reaper (C. Thomas Howell) and Mr. Scratch (Bodhi Elfman) are arguably even more deeply etched in viewers’ memories. The Reaper’s murder of Hotch’s wife and Mr. Scratch’s extreme threat, which forced Hotch into retirement and witness protection to safeguard his son, highlight their devastating impact. While Cat Adams posed a genuine threat to Reid, he consistently outmaneuvered her, a stark contrast to Hotch’s battles against The Reaper and Mr. Scratch.
Her popularity places her in a realm where debating her memorability compared to these examples becomes a matter of personal preference.
A significant factor in Cat Adams’s status as a memorable Criminal Minds UnSub is the star power Aubrey Plaza brought to the role. Plaza is among a host of well-known actors who have guest-starred on the long-running procedural, delivering chilling performances as UnSubs. Notable examples include Tim Curry as Billy Flynn, James Van Der Beek as Tobias Hankel, Mark Hamill as John Curtis, and numerous others. Even Cameron Monaghan, recognized from Shameless, made an appearance as a disturbingly young serial killer named Jeffrey Charles.
While fans will champion various UnSubs as the most memorable and terrifying in Criminal Minds, Cat Adams, portrayed by Aubrey Plaza, consistently remains a top contender. She is undeniably one of the most popular serial killers to ever grace Criminal Minds. Her enduring popularity ensures that whether she is considered more or less memorable than other top villains is largely a matter of subjective opinion among fans.
