These monologues have our attention! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most intense, sinister, and/or convincing speeches in movie history.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most intense, sinister
00:08and or convincing speeches in movie history.
00:17Number 10.
00:18King Kong, Training Day
00:29By the end of this cop drama, the newcomer Jake finally stands up to his corrupt superior.
00:34Detective Alonzo Harris watches his younger partner leave and the other witnesses ignore
00:38him.
00:39This culminates in a hate-fueled rant against everybody nearby, practically securing Denzel
00:43Washington's Oscar.
00:45Harris' speech involves a slew of threats to the locals that's both menacing and entertaining.
00:54Despite his somewhat colorful language, the character ultimately fails to maintain his
00:58power.
00:59Remarkably, the speech includes its famous use of the iconic movie monster.
01:03Washington's performance manages to be both ominous and engrossing, captivating the listener
01:10through to the monologue's end.
01:12Number 9.
01:13Baseball Bat, The Shining
01:20When Jack Torrance finally loses it in The Shining, he delivers this speech to his wife
01:24Wendy.
01:25It's a disturbing sequence that reaches a boiling point for the main character.
01:28Frightening the audience, Torrance slowly heads for Wendy and starts threatening her
01:32life.
01:33Jack Nicholson's manic performance keeps you on edge, never letting you off the hook
01:36throughout this speech.
01:46You can't help but worry for the anti-hero's wife as she grips a baseball bat for protection.
01:51This shocking moment allows Nicholson to unravel his tightly-coiled emotions, and he
01:55plays it for all it's worth.
02:07If the actors weren't so compelling, we'd be hiding our faces in fear throughout this
02:11monologue.
02:12Number 8.
02:14V for Vendetta
02:23Following the bombings of the Old Bailey, the mysterious V interrupts a broadcast to
02:27explain his actions.
02:28The masked figure speaks out in favor of truth and against the corruption of the government.
02:32Utilizing a calm voice, the character's convincing argument infuriates officials and
02:37inspires ordinary citizens.
02:46Hugo Weaving's performance invokes all the emotions of a populace that doesn't want
02:50to live in fear anymore.
02:51The monologue is dangerous, mischievous, and meant to galvanize a group of oppressed people.
03:05Done with threatening those in charge, the speech sends a strong message that carries
03:09through the movie's memorable finale.
03:11Number 7.
03:12You Can't Handle the Truth – A Few Good Men
03:23In the climax of this drama, Colonel Jessup finally takes the witness stand.
03:27Tom Cruise's Daniel Caffey keeps the officer on the stand to finish his questioning.
03:31This allows Jack Nicholson to deliver an award-worthy performance as he fights back.
03:35His famous line is just one part of this monologue, with his defensive rebuttal going down as
03:40a courtroom classic.
03:50The actor dishes out the prickly speech without even having to stand up.
03:54His character is at a low point, but makes one last attempt at justification by revealing
03:58how ruthless he can be.
04:02It's an earth-shattering revelation that sounds incredibly powerful as delivered by
04:12Nicholson.
04:13Number 6.
04:14Fear – Gangs of New York
04:15It's hard to determine which of Daniel Day-Lewis's many outstanding roles represents his best
04:28work.
04:29Some people might argue Bill the Butcher, while others would mention the milkshake fan
04:32Daniel Plainview.
04:45His brilliant speech here from Gangs of New York rivals any of his other characters'
04:49greatest moments.
04:50William Cutting speaks to Amsterdam about fear, in the process perfectly summing up
04:54his own evil philosophy.
05:08He runs through his violent methods in such a matter-of-fact way, almost as if he's
05:12reading a bedtime story.
05:14Full of contradictions, Cutting speaks about honor and respect while also frightening the
05:18audience.
05:19It's a chilling monologue that well-demonstrates Day-Lewis's superb acting abilities.
05:32Number 5.
05:33Londa's Tactics – Inglourious Bastards
05:45In the opening of this film, Colonel Hans Londa interrogates a French farmer.
05:49He enters the home with a charming demeanor before revealing his hateful ideology.
05:53Explaining his search tactics, Londa's provocative dialogue sets up a troubling comparison involving
05:57rats.
06:06The awful words spill out from actor Christoph Waltz with such ease that you're shocked
06:10by every syllable.
06:11It's yet another great evil monologue from Tarantino, besting other memorable examples
06:15like Calvin's in Django Unchained.
06:27All of this builds to the villain finding out the truth, setting up a moment that's
06:30both violent and unforgettable.
06:32Waltz's performance imbues the ongoing threats with an undeniable energy, making this speech
06:36one reason that he won the Oscar.
06:38Number 4.
06:39Coffee for Closing – Glengarry Glen Ross
06:52Near the start of Glengarry Glen Ross, the main cast receives an unexpected version of
06:56the usual motivational speech.
06:57Alec Baldwin's character Blake gets their attention by giving them an ultimatum.
07:01He insults them, threatens their jobs, and forces them to get greedy.
07:18Pitting the salesmen against each other, the character doesn't care about offending anybody.
07:22Baldwin steals the film with one scene as this wild monologue lets him fly off the handle.
07:27With a number of quotable lines, the essence of the entire movie is boiled down into this
07:31entertaining rant.
07:40Number 3.
07:41Taking Down Clarice – The Silence of the Lambs
07:49Clarice Starling's first encounter with Dr. Hannibal Lecter goes about as well as anybody
07:53would have expected.
07:54After asking him for help, the FBI agent endures the wrath of the prisoner's intelligence.
07:58The latter attacks his interviewer in a brutal speech that doesn't skimp on details.
08:15This includes getting personal about her humble background, clearly offending her by the end.
08:26Anthony Hopkins' snarling performance doesn't let up as he disappears into the role.
08:30In an intense close-up, the serial killer does everything he can to push Starling away.
08:35It's both riveting and frightening to watch.
08:38Number 2.
08:39Scars – The Dark Knight
08:48The Joker is up to all kinds of tricks in The Dark Knight.
08:51He also loves to monologue, with this one being one of his calling cards.
08:54The villain tells it multiple times in the movie, but this particular version feels like
08:58the distillation of his disturbing psyche.
09:11Heath Ledger doesn't hold back as he shares this awful tale about his character's scars.
09:15This evil criminal sucks the air out of the room as he confronts Rachel with a knife.
09:19While it might be the best speech from this antagonist, the gripping scene with Harvey
09:22Dent in the hospital gives it a run for its money.
09:25Few superhero films are this scary or genuinely intimidating.
09:39Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
09:42Barnes makes his presence known, platoon.
09:44The angry sergeant provokes his squad after killing his rival.
09:56Ghost Store – Pirates of the Caribbean – The Curse of the Black Pearl
09:59Barbossa frightens Elizabeth with a horrifying tale of undead pirates.
10:20Greed – Wall Street – Gordon Gekko reveals his immoral and immortal words about business.
10:42White's Plan – Watchmen – This supervillain defies stereotypes by revealing his evil plan
10:47after going through with it.
11:02Humanity – The Matrix – Agent Smith doesn't hold back his thoughts on the human race.
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11:34Number 1.
11:35Ezekiel 25-17 – Pulp Fiction
11:49In this iconic scene from Pulp Fiction, Jules Winfield stares Brett down and unleashes a
11:53tirade for the ages.
11:55This includes a biblical speech that gives Samuel L. Jackson one of his finest moments
11:59on screen.
12:10The actor's angry tone keeps you on the edge of your seat, with all of it leading to a
12:13dramatic execution.
12:15Tarantino's dialogue has arguably never been better.
12:28It's an unlikely way to threaten someone, but it's utterly compelling coming out of
12:32Jackson's mouth.
12:33The tension's palpable, as the verbose hitman gives a monologue you'll never forget.
12:44Did we forget other threatening movie monologues?
12:46Let us know in the comments below!
13:14Transcribed by https://otter.ai