Words are powerful agents of change. Words turn our dreamy imaginations into tangible realities. Words hold a multiplicity that amounts to more clever, concise, and carefully constructed meanings and uses. Without words, there is no story. Silent films, with their mannerisms and body language, even have their dialogue to carry a story. Narration, conflict, comedy, tragedy, philosophizing, words ebb and flow to create and destroy worlds of possibilities.
Update August 30, 2023: This article has been updated with even more great movie monologues.
Some words are better than others. It is the difference between the "monk" and the "monkey." Words are their own worlds themselves, transporting us into the mind and heart of the speaker. A character's impassioned cries, their weary and turbulent hesitance, and their reasonable requests make us feel and understand where they are coming from and where they want to go. Dialogues are great between characters. Monologues show there are times when characters get their point across so well that you could not have said it better yourself.
13 Halloween (1978)
Dr. Samuel Loomis, explaining the unknown origin of evil in Michael Myers while standing in the place where Michael committed murder, does the trick and is such a treat. John Carpenter was right to cast Donald Pleasance as the voice of reason against a mindless slasher. No matter how hopeless the world seems, Loomis manages to maintain what is left of sanity in an insane world.
12 Gladiator (2000)
Russell Crowe introducing himself as Maximus is how everyone should introduce themselves. Our spouse and child have not been murdered, nor have we been enslaved and forced to fight to the death for commoners' and rulers' amusement, but the words still hold true. Enough words to garner a sequel from Alien (1979) director, Ridley Scott. Determined to right the wrong, these moving words rally the gladiator in us all.
11 Taken (2008)
When he witnesses his daughter's abduction while being on the other end of the phone a few thousand miles away, Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) uses his one chance to speak to the perpetrators and delivers an iconic monologue. He makes it clear that he has no idea who they are or what they want, but his choice of words sends shivers down the spine of anyone who listens.
The devoted father assures the abductor that he will find him and end his life, and the emphasis in his words confirms that there is no doubt about it. Taken provides a monologue, which will leave you with all the feels, good and bad, and with the certainty that Neeson is one of the greatest actors of all time.
10 Pulp Fiction (1994)
Before the bullets fly, Samuel L. Jackson quoting Ezekiel 25:17 to exact vigilante justice, gets better every time he recites it. This monologue takes liberties with the Bible verse and is delivered differently each time; but it sounds righteous enough to be the word of God. Quentin Tarantino's writing here works with contrasting extremes, visually and metaphorically, through Jackson's delivery and performance.
9 Ghostbusters (1984)
Rick Moranis is Louis Tully who, unfortunately for him and fortunately for us, gets possessed by Vinz Clortho, a demigod and minion of the evil entity, Gozer. The plot at this point in the film is coming to fruition in a clever and fun way. The end of the world through the unlikeliest of characters is irony at its finest; Louis is locked out of places in the film and then becomes the Keymaster! His fervent energy and comedic timing make for an unmatched string of nonsense words that rival Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll's wordsmith whimsy.
8 Marriage Story (2019)
Laura Dern, the actress who took on the role of divorce lawyer Nora Fanshaw in Noah Baumbach's drama Marriage Story, won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2020, and needless to say she more than deserved it. She not only delivers an outstanding performance throughout the entire masterpiece, but Dern also impresses with a mind-blowing monologue, which pretty much sums up the difficulties of being a mother.
Nora Fanshaw is tough-talking, explaining how mothers have entirely different (and also unrealistic) expectations to live up to compared to fathers. Laure Dern seemingly lets her own beliefs and emotions flow into the scene, providing the audience with a speech that will be referenced for many years to come.
7 Jaws (1975)
Robert Shaw has this calm wistfulness that is incredibly haunting. A matter-of-fact man who skirts death but understands it, maybe even has become numb to death itself, gives a schoolboy charm that is unnerving. Or perhaps he was a drunken sailor telling the tale from the point of view of someone who should have been a dead man. The Indianapolis speech was Steven Spielberg's favorite moment from the film, and it made everyone think twice about going in the water.
6 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Willy Wonka, the delightful candy maker, turning into a militant rule-follower was completely out of character. When he declares, "you get nothing!" the finite power of that line scars children, making them feel like they are to blame, even though they did no wrong. Gene Wilder is a multifaceted actor and gives us the sarcastic, but good-hearted tomfoolery of the confectionery genius. A performance akin to eye candy that is sweet enough to eat.
5 Woman King (2022)
The historical drama Woman King is the embodiment of female empowerment, as it tells the true story of the warriors, who protected their home, the Kingdom of Dahomey, with all their strength. The movie is centered around Nanisca (Viola Davis), the General of the all-female warriors, who are recruited, trained, and prepared for battles. When enemies are threatening their home, Nanisca calls them to raise their weapons in union and tap into their incredible power.
These women are a force to be reckoned with, and the General's speech reflects just that. Supported and encouraged by chants during her speech, Nanisca fills her warriors with motivation, and ensures them that the upcoming fight is for them, for their future, and for their country.
4 V for Vendetta (2005)
Hugo Weaving puts on a very vivacious and vaudevillian performance through the literary device of alliteration. Written by the Wachowskis, and based on the DC Comics graphic novel, V for Vendetta by Alan Moore, the screenplay does not mince words. The anti-authoritarian and protesting appeals are strongly written and are carried with powerful, poetic, pageantry. V's words make you want to fight for freedom forever.
3 Hidden Figures (2016)
Hidden Figures gives a voice to three incredible African-American women, Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Katherine Gobels Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), who played a significant role with regard to sending the first person to space. While it offers space for numerous important themes and manages to convey them in a genuine way, Hidden Figures gained even more attention from a specific scene with Katherine.
Having to face segregation on a daily basis, Katherine is obliged to follow bathroom restrictions, among multiple other things. In an epic monologue she proclaims the injustice she has to endure, when she is forced to use a restroom for colored women, which is located far away from her workplace. Apart from interrupting her work, it strips her of her civil rights. Her speech is empowering, even though it focuses on the unjust restrictions she has to fight against.
2 Barbie (2023)
At this point, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Greta Gerwig's latest project, Barbie, stands out with one of the most impactful monologues ever filmed. While Margot Robbie's Barbie and Ryan Gosling's Ken can be considered the two protagonists of the movie, there are many more characters, who add significant value to the storyline.
Especially Gloria, who is portrayed by America Ferrera, is bestowed with the special role of delivering a meaningful message, and connecting with the majority of viewers out there. Barbie takes on a feminist approach, filling Gloria's monologue with the truth of having to adapt to beauty standards and expectations created within the patriarchy. It is shocking, truthful, painful, yet also empowering.
1 Rocky V (1990)
To be fair, the Rocky franchise has a lot of great moments. Rocky V, admittedly, was the least well-received in the series. Between Rocky V and Rocky Balboa (2006), Mickey's monologue gets the golden glove. Rocky's boxing coach is more than a contender; he is a life coach. You can feel the life in his every word. His candid spirit takes a hard jab at that indifferent, quitting attitude that rears its ugly head. One of the best performances from Burgess Meredith comes with one of the best motivational scenes in cinematic history.
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