10 Brilliant Performances That Changed Peoples Perception of an Actor

Have you ever watched a movie that changed your perception of an actor or actress? In a positive way? For example, I’ve always loved Sandra Bullock. But after watching films like Gravity and The Blind Side, I’ve come to appreciate her for being more than the cute girl next door. Here are ten other movies people stated changed their views about an actor or actress.

1.  The Lighthouse (2019)

One person said, “Robert Pattinson in The Lighthouse.” several others agreed. Another stated, “For me, it was – Good Time. He’s incredible and no longer just the sparkly guy from Twilight.” 

“Not exactly,” another argued. By working with Cronenberg, The Rover, and The Lost City of Z, Robert Pattinson stopped being ‘The guy from Twilight‘ long ago. By the time Good Time came around, he had already established himself as a legit actor. But the general public hadn’t smarted up to it yet. The general public still primarily thought of him as Twilight, even shortly before The Batman. Catch up.”

2. Uncut Gems (2019)

“Uncut Gems with Adam Sandler made Punch Drunk Love not just a one-off for Sandler. It showed me his versatility, and how his age and experience in the industry showed off, I am sure he has been bombarded like grifters as he played in Uncut Gems.”

Another added, “He is so great in Hustle. Understated performance, pitch perfect.” Finally, a third said, “The Meyerowitz Stories did it for me. The guy can act when he commits to a part.”

3. 12 Monkeys (1995)

“When I was younger, I assumed Brad Pitt was a pretty boy and couldn’t actually act, and then I saw 12 Monkeys when I was around 17, which completely changed that perception,” replied one.

Another shared, “That was me after I saw Se7en– that was the first real movie I ever saw with him in it, and I, like you, had just assumed he was some pretty boy, but he had some real acting chops. Then, of course, I also saw him later in Inglorious Basterds, which added to it!” Brad Pitt in Bullet Train is also glorious.

4. Whiplash (2014)

Another user stated, “Miles Teller in Whiplash.” “This was it for me,” another agreed. “I’m still not the biggest fan, but I love his performance in that movie.” Someone else added, “Check out Only the Brave if you haven’t. He’s fantastic in it.”

5. Melancholia (2011)

“Melancholia indeed changed my view of Kirsten Dunst,” stated one. “Melancholia was one of the great individual performances. I don’t know if Dunst won any awards, but she should have. Before that, I just thought of her as the cheerleader from that movie and M.J. from Spider-Man.”

6. Tick, Tick… Boom! (2021)

One user volunteered, “Andrew Garfield in Tick, Tick… Boom! I always thought he was good, but I didn’t realize he was great until TTB. Unfortunately, his habits and quirks get in his way, all of which were displayed in the Tammy Faye movie.”

7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

“Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was enlightening,” claimed one. “I had already seen him in some dramatic roles, but he navigated the drama and humor in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind well.

8. Adventureland (2009)

Another person admitted, “I’ve been a Kristen Stewart vindicator since Adventureland.” “It took me longer, but Spencer was an incredible performance by her.” 

“Spencer with Kristen Stewart,” confirmed a third. “I have never watched Twilight, but I know its reputation, so I automatically assumed that everything related to it must be terrible. But Stewart was so good in this that I think she deserved the Oscar. Very sad she didn’t win.”

9.  La La Land (2016)

“Thanks to the internet, I had assumed Ryan Gosling could only play the loner archetype, a la his character in Blade Runner 2049 and Drive. That was until I watched La La Land and The Nice Guys. Afterward, I realized that he has incredible range as an actor and is excellent in both dramatic and comedic roles. Now he’s one of my favorites!”

10. Collateral (2004)

“Tom Cruise- Collateral. I have yet to see many Tom Cruise films, but my perception of Tom Cruise from Top Gun was that he’s just another Hollywood action star who is a mid-actor. But Collateral made me realize how good he is at acting, especially in a villain role. If Christian Bale wasn’t Patrick Bateman, Tom Cruise should be the next pick for playing such a brilliant role.”

Finally, someone suggested “Eyes Wide Shut completely changed my view on Tom Cruise. I thought he was just a movie star and didn’t take him to be a serious actor, but seeing that movie was a revelation. He is not only a movie star but also an actor. And a great actor at that.”

The 10 Best Movies Guaranteed to Send Chills Down Your Spine

Long-time horror fans often complain that most scary movies no longer phase them. Horror lovers constantly search for movies that make them feel the terror that helped them fall in love with the genre in the first place. One horror buff had this exact problem and went on a popular online horror forum to ask fellow fans for their recommendations for terrifying horror films. Fans of scary movies replied with their favorite bone-chilling movies. The 10 Best Movies Guaranteed to Send Chills Down Your Spine

10 Disturbing Films That Use Subtlety Rather Than Gore To Frighten You

Horror movies do not live by gore and violence alone. Some of the most effective scary movies suggest rather than overload the narrative with overt savagery. These films layer levels of dread that make a great impression on audiences. These are unforgettable films that use subtlety to horrify the audience. 10 Disturbing Films That Use Subtlety Rather Than Gore To Frighten You

12 Films Guaranteed to Freeze Your Blood: Are You Brave Enough?

Looking for movies that redefine the word horror? Sometimes, it’s not just about the spooky movies you’ve heard of, sometimes it’s the ones that delve deep into horror that have a greater impact. Sit back, try to relax, and dive into these 12 films that are absolutely bone-chilling. 12 Films Guaranteed to Freeze Your Blood: Are You Brave Enough?

Beyond the Stars & Off the Radar: 25 Sci-Fi Series Begging for Your Binge

Like the kaleidoscopic worlds they’re frequently set in, the sci-fi genre is an almost bottomless ocean of books, comics, movies, and TV shows — many of which are worth seeing or reading for one reason or another. Beyond the Stars & Off the Radar: 25 Sci-Fi Series Begging for Your Binge

80s Unearthed: The 24 Hidden Film Gems That Hollywood Forgot, But You Won’t

While some films from the 80s have become iconic, etching themselves into our collective memories, a treasure trove of lesser-known films has gradually faded into obscurity.

Not to worry, we’ve compiled a list of 25 gems, based on IMDb, that graced our screens with their offbeat charm, eccentric characters, and captivating narratives that defy convention. 80s Unearthed: The 24 Hidden Film Gems That Hollywood Forgot, But You Won’t

This article was inspired by the internet and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Cents + Purpose.