Nurse Mildred Ratched (also known as "Big Nurse") is the primary antagonist in Ken Kesey's 1962 book and the 1975 film adaptation of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Ratched is a strict, steely, and cold hearted head nurse at the mental institution where she controls and directs other staff personnel.

Being the head nurse, Ratched has total control over medication, therapy, hygiene, recreation, etc. concerning the patients. Her superiors call her one of the best nurses at the facility. She is a firm believer in keeping people orderly, and will revoke any privileges they might have if they act out of line. She keeps the patients in line by using their mental weaknesses. She also encourages other patient to act as informants. She likes to use sensitive information against the patients.

Often Nurse Ratched is considered one of the greatest female villains in movie history. She is even viewed as a great rival to the very well known villain, The Wicked Witch of the West. Ratched has been named the fifth greatest villain in movie history by The American Film Institute; she is clearly included among the most hated characters in all of movie history. Being a cold, heartless tyrant has led to Nurse Ratched becoming the stereotype of the nurse with an axe to grind. Nurse Ratched was played by Louise Fletcher in the film.

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