There's a moment in Ti West's latest slasher, Pearl (which reportedly gave Martin Scorsese trouble sleeping), in which Mia Goth gives an unforgettable monologue as the titular protagonist Pearl. It's one of the film's most memorable scenes, and it's spurred many Reddit users to debate about the most effective monologues in movie history.
A great monologue comes down to two separate factors - the writing and the acting. Even a pitch-perfect performance isn't enough to make a monologue stand out if the screenplay is lagging behind, and a mesmerizing script can equally be wasted in the hands of a lazy actor. Reddit's favorite monologues are those that combine expert writing and acting in the most effective way.
Rosamund Pike: Gone Girl (2014)
For many movie fans, David Fincher's Gone Girl is considered one of the best thrillers of the 2010s. Based on the original novel by Gillian Flynn, the story is filled with twists and turns that Fincher brings to life with his controlled direction and a keen eye for detail.
Reddit user frajer names Pike's "cool girl" monologue in Gone Girl as one of the best ever written, an opinion shared by plenty of fans online. It pushes the story forward in a creative way whilst also offering some shocking character development that audiences could never have seen coming.
Jane Seymour: Somewhere In Time (1980)
When most audiences think of monologues in movies, it's usually dramatic speeches, such as Jane Seymour's in Somewhere In Time, that come to mind first. Filled with passion and meaning, Seymour's powerful speech brings a whole new level of emotion to the story.
Reddit user throwawayfilmmaker55 "loves" Seymour's monologue from Somewhere In Time because it manages to add so much to the story using just words. There's no action or drama, just well-written dialogue that brings her character to life in a fulfilling way.
Robert Shaw: Jaws (1975)
Steven Spielberg's Jaws features several exciting monologues, but it's Robert Shaw's chilling discussion in the movie's final act that most audiences consider to be the most memorable. Whilst the majority of the film adopts a thrilling breakneck pace, Shaw's well-timed monologue gives the audience a much-needed break from the action.
Redditor moviemike007 calls Shaw's monologue "iconic," just like the film itself. Countless summer blockbusters have drawn inspiration from Spielberg's classic, even including monologues similar to Shaw's, but very few have managed the capture the cinematic talent of Jaws itself.
Rebecca Hall: Resurrection (2022)
Not only does Rebecca Hall give one of the best performances of 2022 so far in Resurrection, but her character is also given an unforgettable monologue in the film's second act that's absolutely impossible to look away from. She delivers her lines with such vulnerability and emotion, leaving the audience captivated from start to finish.
Reddit user moscowrules claims that Hall's performance in Resurrection was "amazing," with many agreeing that it's potentially her best to date. She stars opposite Tim Roth in the film, crafting a completely unique dynamic that drives much of the film's narrative.
Daniel Craig: Knives Out (2019)
Reddit users are already excited for Glass Onion, and one of the main reasons for this is the return of Daniel Craig as the problem-solving protagonist Benoit Blanc. The role is completely different from anything else Craig has done before, and there's one particular scene in the first film that audiences loved above everything else.
Reddit user hungry-paper2451 names Craig's "donut hole" monologue as one of Knives Out's biggest strengths, mostly because audiences had never seen the actor dedicate himself to such a comedic and entertaining role before.
Toni Collette: Hereditary (2018)
There are very few modern performances that audiences have rallied around as ubiquitously as Toni Collette's stunning lead role in Hereditary. She expertly embodies the fear and apprehension of her character, dragging the viewer through this horrifying story without a second to breathe.
Redditor shauntrek cites Collette's iconic line "I am your mother" as the greatest part of the monologue, which is undoubtedly one of the most memorable moments in the entire film. She makes Hereditary infinitely more frightening with her vulnerable performance.
Paul Bettany: A Knight's Tale (2001)
Paul Bettany's turn as Geoffrey Chaucer was one of the actor's best roles to date, and there's one particular moment in A Knight's Tale that makes him stand out among the rest of the film's talented cast. He steals the show with his powerful monologue, which many Redditors cite as the strongest work of his career.
Reddit user dirtyginmartini2222 claims that Bettany's speech in A Knight's Tale is "quite possibly my favorite monologue." The dialogue is written perfectly by screenwriter Brian Helgeland, with every single word holding an immense power that brings Bettany's talent onto the screen.
Hugo Weaving: V For Vendetta (2005)
James McTeigue's V For Vendetta was one of many films responsible for bringing the dystopian genre to popularity in the early 2000s, and Weaving's performance as the titular 'V' is one of the movie's strongest assets. Many audiences cite the character's first appearance as the film's most exciting moment.
Not only is this monologue filled with rich imagery and clever dialogue, but it also displays V's intelligence by including a huge selection of words that begin with the letter "v." Reddit user replacementcandid314 cites Weaving's "you may call me V" monologue as a fantastic exercise in language that really sets the film alight.
Alec Baldwin: Malice (1993)
Whilst Malice might not be the most critically-acclaimed project starring Alec Baldwin, there's absolutely no denying that the film features one of the actor's most memorable and unhinged performances to date. He completely transforms into his role, playing a deranged doctor who believes to be the human embodiment of God.
"Baldwin really gets it right," claims Reddit user eyeballtourist, citing his work in Malice as his career-best. Praise should also be given to screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, whose work in this movie is arguably some of the best he's ever done. The pair work together effectively to bring this unique character to life, and his extensive monologue really solidifies this.
Annette Bening: 20th Century Women (2016)
Mike Mills' 20th Century Women is filled with drama and emotion from the very beginning, but it's not until Annette Bening's monologue as protagonist Dorothea that the movie fully realizes its potential as one of the most powerful dramas in recent memory.
The level of humanity and intricacy in 20th Century Women's screenplay makes it almost impossible to believe that the film was one of Mike Mill's first as both a director and a screenwriter. Redditor laurapalmersmom430 agrees that "Bening's monologue" in the film proves just how effectively Mills understands his characters.