<p>Previous work has produced conflicting findings on psychopathy and executive functioning (EF) and had yet to consider the role of sadism with the four-factor model of psychopathy. Further, the effects of deficient/enhanced EF on functional impairment in the context of unique relations with psychopathy domains and sadism has yet to be explored. We examined links between four-factor psychopathy, sadism, deficits in self-reported EF, and downstream effects of deficits in EF on functional impairments in various life domains. A representative U.S. sample (<i>N</i> = 446) completed self-report measures of sadism, four-factor psychopathy, deficits in EF, and functional impairment. Structural equation modeling revealed that variance unique to sadism predicted enhanced functional impairment in many domains through enhanced deficits in EF. Psychopathy facets had different implications on the outcomes. Specifically, Erratic Lifestyle uniquely predicted enhanced functional impairment across all domains via enhanced deficits in EF; Interpersonal Manipulation failed to uniquely predict deficits in EF or functional impairment; interestingly, Callous Affect and Antisocial Behavior uniquely predicted reduced functional impairment across all domains through reduced deficits in EF. The findings highlight the importance of considering sadism alongside psychopathy facets and provide novel evidence of the effects of self-reported deficits in EF on functional impairment.</p>