As much as it might pain scriptwriters to admit it, a good actor can often deliver a powerful performance with just a subtle shift in body language and facial expression. And there is no better scene for a skilled master of the stage than a scene depicting a character suddenly understanding something important.
An X page dedicated to movie details asked users to share the best film moments where a character realizes something absolutely vital. So get comfortable, prepare to realize what films you should perhaps rewatch, and be sure to upvote your favorite examples.
#1 The Princess Bride
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#2 Inglourious Basterds
They were spies pretending to be Germans. Europeans (or Germans at least) make a three with their thumb instead of their ring finger, thus giving away that they were not German
Image source: TheCinesthetic
#3 You’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat. Jaws (1975)
Image source: Pbizzlemyshizzl
#4 When Mills Realizes His Wife’s Head Is In The Box! The Whole Expression Change Is Just Phenomenal
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#5 One Of My Faves Is When These Dudes Realize Where Andy Went. (The Shawshank Redemption)
Image source: Sloanstweets
#6 6th Sense
Image source: RA_Plunk
#7 When Clarice Sees The Moth In Buffalo Bill’s House
Image source: MiamiNiiice
#8 Fight Club
Brad Pitt’s character Tyler Durden is imaginary
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#9 The Professional
As Léon dies, he presses a grenade pin in Stansfield’s palm, saying that it is from Mathilda. Stansfield opens Léon’s vest to find a cluster of grenades, which detonate, killing Stansfield.
Image source: ChrisWi57879689
#10 The Green Mile! When He Sees The Truth
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#11 The Matrix
Neo finds out he’s been living in a fake reality.
Image source: Salle7De
#12 Game Of Thrones
Lady Catelyn Stark realizes what’s about to happen in the Red Wedding Scene.
Image source: Deepak13249742
#13 The Usual Suspects
Agent Kujan realizes that Keaton is the real Keyser Söze and killed the team.
Image source: Pontoon_Captain
#14 Star Wars
Luke Skywalker realizes Darth Vader is his father.
Image source: oldhockeycards
#15 When He Doesn’t See Anyone In The Room, Goodfellas
Tommy’s death scene.
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#16 How Dare You Show Your Back To Me!
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#17 They’re Digging In The Wrong Place
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#18 The Silence Of The Lambs. The Moment Agent Starling Realises… It’s Him!!
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#19 Hank Realizes Who Heisenberg Is, Breaking Bad
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#20 When Jigsaw Gets Up From The Floor At The End Of The First Saw Movie. He Was In The Room With Them The Entire Time Playing Dead
Image source: JaesonStrategos
#21 Die Hard With A Vengeance Elevator Scene
John McClane realizes the officers are fake.
Image source: 357txdude
#22 Wizard Of Oz: Dorothy Pulls Back The Curtain
The Wizard created a powerful illusion of himself to demonstrate control until Dorothy pulls back the curtain to find a small man, with microphone.
Image source: HSI_TV
#23 House Realizes He Has Been Hallucinating
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#24 Speed, When Harry Realizes The House Is Rigged To Blow And It’s Too Late To Get Out
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#25 The Boy In The Striped Pajamas
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#26 This Moment. Primal Fear
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#27 I Know It Was You Fredo
Image source: patalmypal
#28 Shutter Movie Ending
At the end Ben realizes that Megumi is still attached to him.
Image source: Ria_ScoobyCute
#29 Best Moment Where A Character Realizes Something
Image source: bobbyduthu
#30 “They Can’t Be! That’s In The Room!”
Image source: I_Am_Hughes
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