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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

The Princess Bride

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SCamp
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“That word, I do not think it means what you think it means.”

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    #2

    Inglourious Basterds

    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

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    Trillian
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw this movie in an original language theater here in Germany (mostly we dub movies). Audience was about half German, half English-speaking foreigners. During that scene literally every German groaned, followed by confused whispered questions from foreigners. Very funny.

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    #4

    When Mills Realizes His Wife's Head Is In The Box! The Whole Expression Change Is Just Phenomenal

    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)

    One Of My Faves Is When These Dudes Realize Where Andy Went. (The Shawshank Redemption)

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    Jules
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Still want to know how he stuck that poster back up after he'd gone into the tunnel...

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    #6

    6th Sense

    6th Sense

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    #7

    When Clarice Sees The Moth In Buffalo Bill's House

    When Clarice Sees The Moth In Buffalo Bill's House

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    #8

    Fight Club

    Fight Club

    Brad Pitt's character Tyler Durden is imaginary

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    #9

    The Professional

    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.

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    #10

    The Green Mile! When He Sees The Truth

    The Green Mile! When He Sees The Truth

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    #11

    The Matrix

    The Matrix

    Neo finds out he's been living in a fake reality.

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    #12

    Game Of Thrones

    Game Of Thrones

    Lady Catelyn Stark realizes what's about to happen in the Red Wedding Scene.

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    #13

    The Usual Suspects

    The Usual Suspects

    Agent Kujan realizes that Keaton is the real Keyser Söze and killed the team.

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    #14

    Star Wars

    Star Wars

    Luke Skywalker realizes Darth Vader is his father.

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    censorshipsucks
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And it is for this reason, and for the full impact of this moment, that you watch star wars in the following order: IV, V, VI, rogue 1, I, II, III, solo, VII, VIII, IX. Don't get all pretensious on me and say you shouldn't watch VII-IX because they're just rehashes of IV-VI. They aren't. I actually like them. There, I said it. Also, I hated the ewoks. So if you think you want to skip an episode, I'd say please can they edit them out and edit out JarJar. Great.

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    #15

    When He Doesn’t See Anyone In The Room, Goodfellas

    When He Doesn’t See Anyone In The Room, Goodfellas

    Tommy's death scene.

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    Ent Hugger
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    poor joe pesci, between this death and the one in casino... guy couldn't catch a break!

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    #16

    How Dare You Show Your Back To Me!

    How Dare You Show Your Back To Me!

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    Anna Losonczy
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son. Husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next."

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    #18

    The Silence Of The Lambs. The Moment Agent Starling Realises... It's Him!!

    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

    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

    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

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    irissii (she/them)
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is one of the best "the killer isn't who you expected" moments ever. literally nobody guessed.

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    #21

    Die Hard With A Vengeance Elevator Scene

    Die Hard With A Vengeance Elevator Scene

    John McClane realizes the officers are fake.

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    Epsilon
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Die Hard is not only a Christmas movie, but it is the best one. Fight me.

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    #22

    Wizard Of Oz: Dorothy Pulls Back The Curtain

    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.

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    #23

    House Realizes He Has Been Hallucinating

    House Realizes He Has Been Hallucinating

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All of it? Thanks for the spoiler...😑 edit: /s not so serious 👍

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    #24

    Speed, When Harry Realizes The House Is Rigged To Blow And It’s Too Late To Get Out

    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

    The Boy In The Striped Pajamas

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    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've never seen the movie but the book, when you realize what's happening, it's soo shocking.

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    #28

    Shutter Movie Ending

    Shutter Movie Ending

    At the end Ben realizes that Megumi is still attached to him.

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    Nice Beast Ludo
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was thinking of Shutter Island which was one of the craziest endings I remember and hope its on this list

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    #29

    Best Moment Where A Character Realizes Something

    Best Moment Where A Character Realizes Something

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    #30

    "They Can't Be! That's In The Room!"

    "They Can't Be! That's In The Room!"

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    #31

    The Departed, Whole Movie Is Figuring Out And Realizing, And Murder

    The Departed, Whole Movie Is Figuring Out And Realizing, And Murder

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    #32

    Bridge On The River Kwai: “What Have I Done?”

    Bridge On The River Kwai: “What Have I Done?”

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    Mark
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've lived in Thailand and have visited the Kwai Bridge a couple of times. If in the vicinity, I highly recommend seeing the Krasae Cave and the surrounding stations along with the bridge itself

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    #33

    Best Moment Where A Character Realizes Something

    Best Moment Where A Character Realizes Something

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    #34

    Best Moment Where A Character Realizes Something

    Best Moment Where A Character Realizes Something

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    #35

    If You Know, You Know. If You Don't, Go Watch Park Chan-Wook's 'Oldboy'

    If You Know, You Know. If You Don't, Go Watch Park Chan-Wook's 'Oldboy'

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    Daniel Morgan
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Still one of the best suprise endings ever, really didn't see this one coming!

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    #36

    Sicario

    Sicario

    Fausto: "Your wife... you think she'd be... proud of what you've become?"

    ... Tense silence ...

    Alejandro: Don't forget about my daughter...

    CUT TO: Fausto's wife bowing her head as she realizes there's no talking Alejandro down.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    https://youtube.com/shorts/l2yELWQVMaI?si=_wJRl0xr4bE9lBMx

    #39

    Best Moment Where A Character Realizes Something

    Best Moment Where A Character Realizes Something

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    #40

    "Swing Away" In Signs

    "Swing Away" In Signs

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    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think the bigger reveal was the alien...geez, that freaked me out as a kid. lol

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    #41

    When Jim Gordon Realizes Who Is Batman

    When Jim Gordon Realizes Who Is Batman

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    #42

    Best Moment Where A Character Realizes Something

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    Alecto76
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of my favorites. If I could re-do, I'd go into linguistics.

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    #43

    The Crying Game

    The Crying Game

    Dil is transgender and Fergus discovers it.

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    Michael P (Perthaussieguy)
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Haunting music, too. Original by Dave Berry (although Boy George did a cover version but not as good IMHO) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c9W2-uGvQQ

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    #44

    True Romance, Sicilian Scene

    True Romance, Sicilian Scene

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    Beth H
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of the best scenes in film. The dialogue is great and Walken and Hopper are mesmerizing.

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    #45

    The End Of Michael Clayton When Karen Realizes What Michael Clayton Is A Fixer

    The End Of Michael Clayton When Karen Realizes What Michael Clayton Is A Fixer

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    #46

    When Christopher Mccandless Realizes That “Happiness Only Real When Shared,” Just Before He Dies, It Is One Of The Best Moments In Current Cinema

    When Christopher Mccandless Realizes That “Happiness Only Real When Shared,” Just Before He Dies, It Is One Of The Best Moments In Current Cinema

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    Johnnynatfan
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This clown needs to stop being celebrated as if he was some hero. He was a freeloader, a thief and a poacher.

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    #47

    Best Moment Where A Character Realizes Something

    Best Moment Where A Character Realizes Something

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    Mia Hamsa
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think Ransom 1996 is TEN times better than this.. surprised it is not no.1 on this list. That is true portrayal of fear and realisation. Google it.

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    #48

    The Scene In Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Where Jen Writes Shu Lien’s Name. Beautiful

    The Scene In Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Where Jen Writes Shu Lien’s Name. Beautiful

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    #49

    Mad Max - Beyond Thunderdome

    Mad Max - Beyond Thunderdome

    When Max hits the helmet off of Blaster in Mad Max - Beyond Thunderdome, and we learn it's just a huge man with a mind of a child. I still feel bad for what they did to him

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    #50

    Incendies "One Plus One, Does It Make One?"

    Incendies "One Plus One, Does It Make One?"

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    Nadine Debard
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Incendies, after Tarek/Nihad receives two letters, one addressed to the twin's father, one to their brother. He's both.

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    #52

    When Cruiser Finds Out There Isn’t A Draft Anymore

    When Cruiser Finds Out There Isn’t A Draft Anymore

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    #53

    When The Fight Promoter Realizes That Rocky Is More Than Just A Sparring Partner For Apollo Creed

    When The Fight Promoter Realizes That Rocky Is More Than Just A Sparring Partner For Apollo Creed

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    #54

    Mission Impossible

    Mission Impossible

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    Timbob
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want a scene where EVERYBODY realizes that trump is FREAKIN NUTS !!!

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