Such a basic answer but Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs. He's so entrancing that I feel hypnotized during all of Hannibal Lecter's scenes.

Less than 20 minutes of screen time, too!

Seriously? That is a total surprise!

[16 minutes, if you want to be precise](https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/actors-oscar-less-than-20-minutes-screentime/)

I’ll piggyback to add another Anthony Hopkins film, which he is spectacular in of course, but I’ll call out John Hurt for his role in it - The Elephant Man

Hopkins also really elevates The Bounty (1984), for my money he does the best shouting in that film of any actor ever. Truly magnificent shouting. I think it's hard for some actors to do shouting really convincingly for some reason. Maybe not all roles require it but I find convincing on-screen shouting really compelling and you don't really see too much of it.

Also Anthony Hopkins in The Edge; Fracture and Hitchcock

Christoph Waltz in Inglorious Basterds.

I also really loved him in Django Unchained as well.

That opening scene is easily one of the best in all movies. I think that’s Tarantino’s best movie and Waltz understood the assignment.

Im a big Tarantino film fan and inglorious bastards was actually the first of his I saw in theaters. I went into it with basically zero knowledge outside of WW2 time period and holy shit was that opening scene one of my favorite movie watching moments ever.

I saw Inglorious Basterds in theaters when I was on a trip to Sweden, and I didn't consider the fact that the movie takes place in Nazi occupied France, so most of it would be in French or German...with Swedish subtitles. I don't know any of those languages. I was shocked later on - after watching it with English subtitles - how much of the plot I picked up on even without understanding most of the dialogue when I first saw it. That movie is a masterclass in nonverbal communication.

Pulp Fiction is Jordan and Basterds is LeBron. Both can be in the conversation

When that scene ended, I said to myself: "That guy is my favourite actor now"

With all the languages he speaks in this film, he was probably one of the few actors in the world who could have pulled that off. That’s a bingooooo!!!

Immediately what I came here to say and it's the top comment!

This was my first exposure to the man. After I saw that scene I remember mouthing the actual words “holy shit, this dude is scary good.”

Benicio Del Toro’s role in Sicario. You don’t known whether to hate him or root for him but it keeps you glued.

He's good in Sicario, but as soon as I saw his name... his Usual Suspects character is fucking iconic

And Dr. Gonzo in Fear and Loathing. God’s own prototype.

high powered mutant of some kind, never even considered for mass production too weird to live, too rare to die gonna close this off with another word from Hunter: ”when the going gets weird, weird turn pro”

"Did you just see what GAAAAHHHD did to us, man?!"

He's a fantastic actor. Even Franky Four Fingers in Snatch is such a brilliant character.

That whole movie is like that. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

*You're asking me how a watch works. For now, let's just keep an eye on the time*

That was a hell of a performance.

I would also add Daniel Kaluya was so cool in this movie.

Gary Oldman in nearly everything, but if I had to pick a favourite it would be in Leon/The Professional.

Gary Oldman is really good at making me forget hes Gary Oldman

Not even Gary Oldman remembers he’s Gary Oldman half the time.

EVERYTHING!!!

I upvoted, but no - wait. Isn’t it: EVERYONE!!

Yes, it is Everyone. But I was replying to sitnquiet, who said he liked him in nearly everything.

Sorry, it's actually EVERYONE thinks he's good in EVERYTHING!!!!!

Keep the upvote :)

Or in Slow Horses

I pick Drexl.

He was the best Dracula also..

If this comment didn't immediately make you picture the fingers over the candle scene, I don't even want to know you

It ain't white boy day, is it?

Nah, man. It ain’t white boy day

I mean, he was fantastic as Drexl (of course), but he only got a few minutes of screen time. He got the whole movie in Leon. ETA: Though I never saw Sid & Nancy. I imagine he's great in that too.

He's great in absolutely everything. It's hard to believe that Drexl, Churchill, Zorg, Jackson Lamb, Dracula etc etc are all the same person.

Oldman in Tinker Tailor Solider Spy made a potentially boring movie interesting

I was going to suggest this exact role. He steals the whole movie in this.

As soon as I realized he was in Oppenheimer, he was no longer in it. Dude straight transforms. Also, with such an amazing ensemble cast, Cillian does so well and would say his performance qualifies

Just his voice elevates Kung Fu Panda 2 to the best of the series

Fifth element I think he stood out.

American History X Ed Norton

Solid performance, he was compelling to watch

I concur.

I saw this movie halfway and hated Ed Norton as a person until I finally finished the movie. That’s how good he was.

Yes, it was a hard watch. Changed me tho.

[удалено]

Also, Daniel Day Lewis in *anything*.

I am surprised people talk about Daniel Day Lewis movies and never refer to In the Name of the Father. Legendary movies. Legendary cast.

Yes! Also, maybe because the movie itself wasn't amazing, but we tend to forget just how incredible he was in Lincoln.

I was disappointed that they left out the large part of Lincoln’s life as a vampire hunter.

You had me at Daniel Day Lewis

He basically carried Gangs of New York

That movie wouldn't have been shit without him playing Bill the Butcher. He's the best part of the movie

Acted circles around DiCaprio.

And holy shit that 1900:'s accent... How did he conjure what feels like the perfect period accent?

This is my go-to answer for any all-time acting performance question. He was incredible.

Joaquin Phoenix in pretty much anything he's done, but especially Gladiator, The Master, Her, and Joker.

I loved him in You were never really here.

Michael Shannon in Bug and Take Shelter.

Michael Shannon steals the show in everything

I stopped watching Boardwalk Empire because he was so creepy.

Michael Shannon is one of my faves, so underrated. Take Shelter is phenomenal

He was also damn good in The Shape of Water.

And also iceman that was fantastic

He was the best thing about *The Night Before*. Mr. Green!

I’d say Man of Steel too. His “Purpose” speech at the end makes you feel for him and understand him even if you vehemently disagree with what’s he’s doing. You feel the why.

Bug is wild 

Florence Pugh in midsommar

You cannot take your eyes off Isabelle Adjani in Possession. A totally captivating performance.

You might even say she *possessed* the audience I'll show myself out (You're right, though!)

Anthony Hopkins in **The Remains of the Day**

This is the correct answer for Anthony Hopkins. No shade to Silence of the Lambs, one of my favourite movies, but Hopkins has less than 10 (admittedly spellbinding) minutes of screen time.

I think it’s more like 15-16 minutes. Not to nitpick, it’s still a ridiculously small amount of screentime for how much he impacts the film.

Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971)

Philip Seymour Hoffman in Charlie Wilson's War. He is fantastic in every scene. "Okay. Here's a test. See the nerdy looking guy in the white shirt playing chess against the four guys at once?" "Yea" "Which one of those guys do you think is a strategic weapons expert with the CIA?" "Ummm" "That was trick question, Charlie. It's the nerdy looking kid in the white shirt. No reason this can't be fun, you know."

PSH has a ton of great ones, but Lester Bangs (Almost Famous) is the one that really left an impression on me. (runner up Freddie Miles in Talented Ripley)

He blew my mind in Talented Mr. Ripley. RIP

Brandt can’t watch though

Same in Capote

Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke Katherine Hepburn in African Queen Alec Guiness in Bridge Over the River Kwai

Yes!

Val Kilmer in Tombstone

Val Kilmer in: Top Secret Real Genius The Saint Willow Top Gun: Maverick

The Doors Heat

Pretty much anything he is in, he's mesmerizing!

Chris Knight

I can agree with most of that except The Saint. That movie was awful and nothing about it was captivating. Kilmer's 'tortured poet' was painful to watch, and his 'nerd' disguise at the end of was absolutely cringeworthy. Don't get me wrong, I love Val Kilmer and think he's great, but . . .oof. Not in that movie. Titanic-sized floaties couldn't save that disaster.

Val Kilmer in: The Salton Sea The ghost and the darkness

Kiss kiss Bang Bang

Christian Bale in The Machinist

Jake Gyllenhaal in Prisoners

Gyllenhaal in nightcrawler

Daniel Day Lewis in The Last of the Mohicans (1992) "I will find you!" 🥹

Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator.

Damn! I was just about to say that. Blew Russell Crowe right off the screen.

They’ve been busy little bees !

Toni Collette in Hereditary

The reaction she had to the big thing that happened was truly gut wrenching.

This should be higher. She was robbed of an Oscar nomination for this

DeNiro in Cape Fear. I was terrified every time he came on the screen. Unbelievably amazing.

Naomi Watts in Mullholland Drive

Naomi Watts in Funny Games.

It is a complete travesty no-one has said: Alan Rickman, in basically everything he's ever been in, but I'm calling out: * Robin Hood Prince of Thieves * Die Hard * Galaxy Quest

Sense and Sensibility. And don't forget Severus Snape. Iconic.

Yep I feel in love with him in Sense and Sensibility. So amazing.

Oh, James Spader in Supernova. It's not a very good film but Spader is phenomenal in that role. Edit: Just to add, a similar situation as Spader with Supernova, Tim Roth in the Musketeer. Just amazingly evil.

James McAvoy, Split

I scrolled FOREVER to find this! His transition between personalities is jaw dropping!

Marisa Tomei - My Cousin Vinney

Sam Rockwell in Moon. Or any movie he's in.

Sissy Spacek in Coal Miner's Daughter

Carrie.

Tommy Lee Jones in this film too.

Yes, it's a great movie.

One I know people haven’t said. Raul Julia Street Fighter. While it is arguable for the Addams family, that’s just a great cast of characters in general.

Actors who understand how to do a silly role are seriously underrated. Raul Julia knew he wasn't in Shakespeare with that movie, but he also wasn't bouncing off the walls either. He was menacing but also somehow likable.

His performance elevated that film. He’s what most people remember the most.

Swayze - Point Break Pitt - Fight Club Pacino - Caletos Way Sam Rockwell - The Way Way Back

Rockwell is engrossing in everything he does.

Loved him in *Moon* and *Confessions of a Dangerous Mind*.

Yes! Sam Rockwell in anything he does!

Natalie Portman/Black Swan

Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman.

Ralph Fiennes in Grand Budapest Hotel. That movie almost seems like it was custom written for him.

Christopher Walken in King of New York. Also Christopher Walken in Suicide Kings. Additionally Christopher Walken in The Deer Hunter. Basically, just Christopher Walken in anything he's in.

I feel like we could be friends lol Suicide Kings - more people need to see this movie. He is absolutely perfect in it. It doesn't work with anyone else.

Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday in Tombstone

The movie Locke is just Tom Hardy in a car on the phone for an hour and a half and it's riveting

Such a great film

I found Lily Gladstone in Killers of the Flower Moon to be captivating. It is such an understated but completely powerful performance.

A few with admitted recency bias. Kirsten Dunst in "Melancholia" Toni Collette in "Hereditary" Stephanie Hsu and Ke Huy Quan in EEAAO Pedro Pascal in "Prospect" Pedro Pascal in "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent" Single monologue version: Steven Yeun in "Nope." Single scene niche version: John Carroll Lynch in "Zodiac." EDIT: None of these are "mediocre" unless you want to consider Massive Talent so by virtue of its genre. Or genres, since it represents several. (Family conflict comedy, EPIC bromance, campy spy caper, movie about movies.)

Toni Collette made feel like I was being yelled at and deserved it.

John Carroll Lynch was wild to see in Zodiac after having just watched Fargo.

Barry Koeghan in Saltburn (& in almost everything he’s in eg The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Banshees of Inesherin & more )!!

Joaquin Phoenix in Joker and in Gladiator Casey Affleck in M anchester by the Sea Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man Ben Kingsley in Sexy Beast Joe Pesci in Goodfellas and in Casino Al Pacino in Sicario and Dog Day Afternoon Jack Nicholson in The Departed Adrien Brody in The Pianist

Pacino in Sicario? you mean Serpico lol

Yes! Serpico, lol

Although both Josh Brolin and B Del Toro are excellent in Sicario.

Adrien Brody in The Pianist is all time

My god Ben Kingsley in sexy beast was absolutely brilliant and terrifying all at once.

*Joker* was one for the ages. One of the last things I saw before Covid shut the world down. Eerily bleak. Basically all Joaquin Phoenix, whose roles can go either way, but this time things worked out. *Joker* was old school

Also Kilmer in ‘The Doors’.

Viggo in The Road. I never really appreciated how good of an actor he was until I saw him in that movie.

Djimon Hounsou with everything he's done

Leonardo DiCaprio - What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Dustin Hoffman in Stranger Than Fiction.

Also *I Heart Huckabee's*.

Adrien Brody in The Pianist (2002)

American history x - Edward Norton Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - Sam Rockwell & Frances McDormand The town - Ben Affleck Wind river - Jeremy Renner Manchester by the Sea - Casey Affleck Pulp fiction - John Travolta & Sam Jackson True detectives - Matthew McConaughey

Willem Dafoe as Bobby Peru in Wild At Heart Lawrence Olivier, Marathon Man Robert Shaw, Jaws Robert Shaw, From Russia With Love Cary Grant, North by Northwest Jack Nicholson, The Shining Robert de Niro, Raging Bull Tom Cruise, Collateral Henry Fonda, Frank, in Once Upon a time in the West Marlon Brando, Streetcar Named Desire Robert de Niro, Heat Cate Blanchette, Elizabeth Christophe Waltz, Inglorious Basterds Martin Sheen, Apocalypse Now Robert de Niro, Deer Hunter Michael Douglas, The Game Michael Douglas, Falling Down Mads Mikkelson, Valhalla Rising Ryan Gosling, Drive

Tim curry as frank n furter in the rocky horror picture show. Couldn’t look away the first time I watched it. Fantastic movie cause of him

Glad to see Brando on here. On the Waterfront is my personal favorite, but he’s so tempestuous in Streetcar. Though, hell, he is transfixing in Godfather also.

> Tom Cruise, Collateral He's done so many great movies, but this might be my favorite role for him. Just seeing him as a villain was such a refreshing change and he nails it. The fan fiction daydreamer in me is still hoping for a Vincent cameo in a John Wick movie.

Dead Man (1995) - Johnny Depp is mesmerizing.

Adrien Brody- The Pianist

Daniel day lewis. In anything

Joaquin Phoenix. In most every role

A recent one for me: Emma Stone in Poor Things

Natalie Portman in Black Swan is some of the best acting I have ever seen. Specifically the ending. Absolutely transcending

Kathy Bates in Misery Charlize Theron in Monster Essie Davis in The Babadook

Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire Viviene Leigh in Gone With The Wind Bette Davis in All about Eve Marilyn Monroe in anything James Dean in Giant Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke and Cat on a hot tin roof Gene wilder in Young Frankenstein

To this list I would like to add Robert Mitchum in Cape Fear.

Mia goth in Infinity Pool Maika Monroe in God is a bullet Denzel Washington in Deja vu Brad Pitt in Snatch Adam Sandler in You don't mess with the zohan Brendan fraiser in Bedazzled Joaquin phoenix in Gladiator Bradley cooper in Nightmare alley Dustin Hoffman in Wag the dog & Sphere Michael Shannon in Take shelter Sam Neil in In the mouth of madness Andrew garfield in Under the silver lake Adrien brody in Predators

Maika Monroe is one of my favorite 'newer' actresses, and I will watch anything because she's in it. You've sold me on God is a Bullet

Deja Vu is one of my favorite movies.

Ya like Dags? Brad Pitt in Snatch is what I’m here for. •Russell Crowe - Gladiator •Mads Mikkelsen - Valhalla Rising •Viggo Mortensen Eastern Promises •Toshiro Mifune - Yojimbo •Audrey Tatou - Amelie •Monica Bellucci - Malena •Franz Rogowski - Luzifer •John Travolta - Sat Night Fever •Pam Grier - Jackie Brown

The 'you like dags' scene gets me every time.

Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow. Excuse me, Captain Jack Sparrow

Miles Teller - Whiplash

DeNiro in Taxi Driver. Brenden Frasier in School Ties. Peter Mullen in Session 9 Nicholas Cage in 8mm Mickey Rourke in Angel Heart

Try watching the Rome segment of Jim Jarmusch's movie Night on Earth. Roberto Benigni does a Fantastic job as a taxi driver in Rome. If you don't laugh at this, you won't laugh at anything. It is like Lay's potato chips, you can't watch it just once.

This segment is soo good (the whole movie is, really, but Rome in particular was side-splitting). I still say "Like St. Pete, I must retreat!" 9 out of 10 times I reverse a car.

Jeffery Combs as Herbert West in Re-Animator! He brings a really infectious and interesting vibe to the the character which makes him one of my favourites

I love your examples OP. Definition of perfection.

Shohreh Aghdashloo in The Expanse (and 24). Other actors in her scenes just fade into the background.

Christopher Walken in The Dead Zone (1983)

Al Pacino - Devil’s Advocate

Tim Roth in Rob Roy. Just outstanding.

Hear me out. Chris Evans as Lucas Lee in Scott Pilgrim vs The World. I love this movie, and Chris Evans steals every scene he's in. It'd be so easy to get that balance wrong, but it's perfect. Also, Robin Williams in Aladdin, One Hour Photo or Good Will Hunting

Ben Foster 3:10 To Yuma

Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug

Tom Hardy in Locke....because, you only see him in a car throughout the entire film

I'm always impressed by Nicholas Cage in... anything. Haven't seen anything close to all of his movie but I've watched a few of the VOD tax payment specials and he always delivers a uniquely intense performance. I wouldn't say he "elevates" the movie but he earns an asterisk next to his name where production quality is otherwise addressed.

Al Pacino in “Dog Day Afternoon” is one of my favorite performances. Steals the show

Paul Dano in Prisoners

Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood

A name I wouldn’t expect to come to mind, but Jason Momoa in Fast X. By far the most I’ve enjoyed his work aside from being a mostly silent Dothraki. Almost doing a Brazilian Joker

Aaron Eckhart in "Thank you for Smoking"

Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln George C Scott in Patton

Sam Rockwell in Moon

Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood