Fans Answer: Which Film Made You Realize An Actor Was Better Than You Originally Thought

From Redditorivylass:

There is a scene inForrest GumpForrest tries to ask Jenny if Forrest Jr is slow. Tom Hanks' face shows fear, shame, and pride. He blew me away.

From RedditorLeafy81:

Tom Hanks is exceptional. He nails every role and makes you feel his character's emotions. The man made me cry watching a bloodstained volleyball drift away.

From Redditorigoodguy:

I knew Tom Hanks fromForrest Gump, and how good an actor he was after watchingSaving Private RyanI cannot think of an actor better than him.

From RedditorDahnkeBallz:

Val Kilmer plays Doc Holliday inTombstone, very different than inTop SecretandReal Genius.

From RedditorMattsAwesomeStuff:

Doc dies of tuberculosis while still fighting gunfights with cowboy gangs.

"Why you doing this Doc?"
"Wyatt Earp is my friend."
"Hell, I got lots of friends."
"I don't."

From RedditorAmigoDelDiabla:

He has incredible roles. Some call it unpopular, but I think he nailed Jim Morrison inThe Doors. Perhaps that wasn't unpopular at all. Maybe I confused the criticisms about historical accuracy that usually follow an Oliver Stone film with Kilmer's performance.

From RedditorYoMomIsANiceLady:

Christoph Waltz inInglourious Basterds. I knew Waltz was good, but his character Hans Landa is a movie masterpiece. He earned that Oscar.

From RedditorLGMHorus:

The opening scene is one of the greatest in movie history. Waltz is magnetic, terrifying, and polite.

From RedditorMetalMedley:

At the interrogation's turning point, his face hardens drastically while barely moving. That blows me away.

From Redditorsoarfingers:

Robin Williams inOne Hour Photo.

From RedditorResolute002:

"All I did was take some pictures" or what he said at the end chilled me.

From RedditorMyriachan:

It was creepy. The movie never said if he was a pedophile or just weirdly obsessed with pictures of children.

From RedditorThereisnoyou:

I never thought much of Brad Pitt. After watchingFight Cluband more importantlySe7en, that guy did great.

From RedditorThebraintickler:

There is a saying about him being a character actor in a leading man's body. Men like him because they like the heartthrob image, especially afterFight Club, many guys identified with Tyler Durden. His performance inInglorious Bastards was also great.

From RedditorChristopherPlumbus:

Brad Pitt is a favorite character actor. I always forget I am watching an actor. He had that beautiful leading man's face!

From a now-deletedRedditor:

John Goodman in10 Cloverfield LaneJohn Goodman was terrifying in 10CL. He showed a lot of range in the same role. Goodman moves from welcoming and shy to creepy and dictatorial. This happens in The Gambler. In the scene with Mark Walberg, he gives fatherly advice and seems likable, then turns into a scary mob boss.

From Redditorearbud_smegma:

I liked John Goodman as a villain inO Brother, Where Are Thou?I saw that and realized he was just the dad from Roseanne. I did not realize he could play such a bad guy.

From RedditorTheLastPromethean:

John Goodman is the greatest actor of all time. I have never seen him perform badly in anything. Goodman excels in every part, no matter the size. Even in bad shows or movies, every scene with Goodman is a master class. I watched his SNL sketches recently. He takes random, absurd ideas and gives them legitimacy. His silly joke character feels like a real person with a history, even while he makes fart jokes and pratfalls with Keenan Thompson.

From RedditorWhimsyAndSnark:

I was blown away by Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl. I thought she could not play Amy; I was very wrong.

From RedditorMoyshe-Kapoyer:

I agree. I was unsure about Ben Affleck playing Nick. I did not think he could handle that role, but I loved it!

From Redditorsilly_pig:

Agree on this one. I only saw her in Pride and Prejudice and thought she was just a pretty actress. Then I watched Gone Girland WOW she did an incredible job

From Redditortismyself61:

Helena Bonham Carter inThe King's Speech. I watched that movie many times. I still think she was fantastic.

From RedditorKmdvm:

She is also wonderful in The Crown. She is wonderful generally. I enjoy seeing her in non-creepy, Tim Burton-esque roles. (I like him too, but I am glad she can show range)

From RedditorDown2earth5:

Helena Bonham Carter inFight Club. She did Shakespearean stuff before. Then she played a loopy druggie really well!

From Redditorthe-new-apple:

I see your John C Reilly inChicagoand raise you a John C Reilly inGangs of New York.

From Redditorquirkyb***h:

I will raise that to him in Magnolia.

From Redditor-----dudpool-----:

John C Reily is actually one of my favorite actors I respect immensely. He’s an incredible drama actor that also plays some of the silliest and dumbest characters just because he wants to I assume.

From Redditorthe-keen-one:

Margot Robbie,I, Tonya.

From Redditoriblamejana511:

YESSS! That movie is excellent. Margot Robbie is wonderful as usual. Allison Janney deserved the Oscar.

From Redditorruby-tues74:

A YouTube video about accents showed Margot Robbie's voice acting for Tonya Harding, noting how her accent changed with the character's age. The performance exceeded expectations.

From Redditorsharrper:

It took me time to appreciate his skill. That film probably made me notice him.

From RedditorUndrcovrcloakndaggr:

Great shout, I agree. He acted really well inZodiactoo.

From RedditorSecondOdCicero:

This movie amazed me; that happens rarely. He was great, and the movie's effects were incredible.

From RedditorResidualJaguars:

This film gets many upvotes. The movie felt very powerful, and Owen made it feel real, like actual life.

From Redditorjivehyde:

I scrolled looking for Clive Owen. He was fantastic in that movie.The Knickalso confirmed his talent again.

From RedditorRedFeather_Coronatus:

Jeff Daniels played him in The Martian.The Martian (2015), and I did not know this scary man. I thought he would be the villain. Then I saw him inDumb and Dumber (1994). He was... that guy?? He has some range.

From Redditorshaunna_thedork:

I recommend The Newsroom.The Newsroomif you have not seen it. [Sidenote, I liked it, but some people find it political].

From RedditorCall_Me_Koala:

He plays a great villain in the mini-seriesGodless(on Netflix)

From RedditorCallHimIshmael:

The Lighthouse. I never knew Robert Pattinson from anything other thanTwilightbefore watching this. He is an exceptional actor.

From RedditorRingRingBanannaPhone:

Remember Me caught my attention with him. It is not an amazing film, but it made me see pastTwilight.

From RedditorPreLaunchLoad:

I would say Jonah Hill in Moneyball.Moneyball. He did an outstanding job and showed he was not just a stoner comedy actor. Then he didThe Wolf of Wallstreet and I accepted that he is one of my favorite actors now.

From Redditorsunshine_rex:

I cannot hear anyone talk aboutMoneyballJonah Hill said, “dear God, it’s me, Jonah Hill, from”, without thinking, “dear God, it’s me, Jonah Hill, from”.Moneyball” because of this movie.

From RedditorOddScentedDoorknob:

Yup, Jonah Hill broke people's ideas about him and became a seriously good actor. I have enjoyed every performance of his, whether comedy or drama.

From Redditorwwantid7:

Steve Carell was phenomenal in Foxcatcher.Foxcatcher.

From RedditorXtalFilm:

I do not know how he did not win an Oscar for it.

From Redditoramphibious_rodent13:

Phenomenal film. Watch the real documentary after it; seeing how he played that role is amazing.

From Redditortonderthrowaway:

I had no idea he could act until I saw that movie. Since then, he has many very good performances.

From RedditorDerangeR14:

Colin Farrell’s eyebrows deserved an Academy Award for In Bruges.In Bruges.

From Redditorhoopstick:

Someone said Colin Farrell is a character actor with leading man looks.

From RedditorEerieDoctrain:

Clooney inBurn After ReadingHe plays smooth characters. Seeing him play this weak-willed creepy weirdo impressed me.

From RedditorDrMonkeyLove:

That movie is one of my favorites. Brad Pitt playing a complete idiot was great. Frances McDormand is always amazing.

From RedditorMajor_Cause:

His comedic turn inOh Brother, Where Art ThouThat performance made me like him.

From RedditorTKOism:

Will Ferrell inStranger Than FictionI did not expect him to nail a serious role.

From RedditorCaptainNemo42:

This is what I came here to say. I am not a big Will Ferrell fan, but that film got me. "Brought you flours" LOL!

From RedditorWorthyLocks:

I cannot stand him in comedy roles.Stranger Than FictionThis is by far my favorite Will Ferrell role.

From Redditorberanmuden:

Our Idiot BrotherPaul Rudd. He has a powerful scene at the end. I have loved him since seeing that.

From Redditordelphic0n:

Paul Rudd is popular for comedy and Marvel. But this guy acts for real. His scene inOur Idiot Brotheris really great. It stays with you.

From RedditorKnight_Owls:

Rudd acts very comfortable in his characters. You see actors acting with Rudd. He puts on characters like he is slipping on a comfortable shoe.