10 Greatest Movie Monologues of the 2020s So Far

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The 2020s have already proven to be a remarkably innovative decade for movies. We’re seeing a surge of films that aren’t afraid to break boundaries, delve into intense feelings, and address difficult topics. While impressive visuals and skillful directing often get the most attention, it’s frequently the powerful, intimate moments of a character speaking directly to the audience – whether softly or with great intensity – that truly define a film. In these scenes, an actor’s voice, words, and genuine performance capture everyone’s attention.

Great monologues bring characters to life, often starting important discussions and staying with audiences long after they end. They can be quiet and personal or powerful and inspiring. Here are ten of the most impactful monologues from the past few years.

Carey Mulligan as Cassie Thomas

‘Promising Young Woman’ (2020)


Focus Features

Carey Mulligan delivers a captivating and nuanced performance in this intense story of revenge. She plays Cassie, a woman in her thirties who left medical school and is deeply affected by the trauma her friend Nina experienced – a sexual assault and its tragic aftermath. Frustrated by the lack of justice, Cassie takes matters into her own hands, pretending to be drunk in public to expose men who attempt to take advantage of her. Her pursuit of vengeance takes a personal turn when she reconnects with someone from her past.

A Righteous Fury

It was incredibly powerful watching Cassie finally corner Al, the man who hurt Nina so badly. She went undercover as a dancer to get to him, and when she finally had him restrained, it wasn’t just about anger – it was a chilling, controlled fury. The actress, Mulligan, absolutely nailed it. She didn’t yell or scream, but her quiet intensity made everything she said even more devastating. Seeing her turn her personal grief into a demand for justice, telling him *he* should be the one marked by what he did, was just…wow. It wasn’t just revenge, it felt like she was speaking for Nina, and for every other victim. It was a truly unforgettable scene.

Daniel Kaluuya as Fred Hampton

‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ (2021)


MACRO, Participant, Bron Creative

Judas and the Black Messiah is a compelling film that blends biographical storytelling, a look at a fight for power, and thrilling suspense. It bravely reveals how the government lied for decades about the Black Panther Party, showing the extensive efforts – including coordinated violence – used to weaken the Black power movement. The movie focuses on William O’Neal (LaKeith Stanfield), an FBI informant who infiltrated the party, deceived those he befriended, and ultimately betrayed Fred Hampton, the chairman of the Illinois chapter, leading to his assassination in 1960s Chicago.

A Revolutionary’s Stirring Speech

As a film buff, I was absolutely floored by Daniel Kaluuya’s performance as this incredible activist. There’s this one scene, a speech to a crowd, where everything just *clicks*. It’s a powerful, electrifying moment – he’s calling for people to come together and fight against injustice, and you really *feel* the urgency. He doesn’t hold back when talking about police brutality and how the system oppresses people. It’s more than just a speech, though; it feels like a call to action, a message of hope, and honestly, it still feels incredibly relevant today. It’s a truly fiery monologue that feels both politically charged and deeply spiritual.

Cate Blanchett as Lydia Tár

‘Tár’ (2022)


Focus Features

Todd Field’s new psychological drama quickly gained praise from critics and at film festivals. The film centers on Lydia Tár, a celebrated but flawed classical composer and conductor. As she prepares for a book release and a crucial symphony recording, Lydia appears to be at the height of her career. However, allegations of wrongdoing begin to emerge, revealing hidden truths and ultimately leading to her downfall.

On Morality and Art

Cate Blanchett gives a captivating performance as a flawed and difficult character who is nonetheless fascinating to watch. While the film features several powerful speeches, one moment truly shines: a lecture where her character, Lydia, confronts a student about judging an artist’s work separately from their personal failings. This turns into a brilliant and intense speech delivered with incredible precision, confidence, and a subtle threat. It makes the audience question their own beliefs, not because Lydia is definitively correct, but because Blanchett portrays her as so convincing and powerfully charismatic.

Mia Goth as Pearl Howard

‘Pearl’ (2022)


A24

Ti West’s *Pearl*, a prequel to *X*, delivers a compelling origin story for one of horror’s most memorable villains and stands out as a beautifully crafted period piece. Mia Goth’s incredible performance is central to the film’s success. Set in 1918, *Pearl* follows a young woman’s struggle with the loneliness and restrictions of farm life, and how her unfulfilled ambitions ultimately lead to her descent into madness.

A Chilling Confession

Fans of horror are still talking about Mia Goth’s incredible eight-minute monologue, filmed in a single, unbroken shot. It’s a deeply emotional scene where her character both confesses to terrible acts and desperately seeks understanding. What begins as a plea for connection gradually transforms into a frightening look inside her mind, revealing Pearl’s intense desires, crushing loneliness, growing jealousy, and violent tendencies. Goth brilliantly lures the audience in with a sense of vulnerability, then shocks them with moments of madness and brutality, creating a complex mix of sympathy and fear. It’s a powerful, revealing scene that perfectly captures the tragic and terrifying nature of her character.

Rebecca Hall as Margaret

‘Resurrection’ (2022)


IFC Films, Shudder

Andrew Semans’ *Resurrection* is a surprisingly effective horror film that deserves more attention. Rebecca Hall delivers a powerful performance as Margaret, a successful businesswoman and devoted mother to her teenage daughter, Abbie (Grace Kaufman). Margaret’s carefully ordered life begins to unravel when her past returns in the form of David (Tim Roth), an abusive ex who starts to torment her psychologically, just as he did years ago.

The Trauma Dump

As the movie unfolds, it really dives into some incredibly dark and unsettling territory. There’s this one scene, a seven-minute, unbroken monologue by Naomi Hall, that’s just… unforgettable. Her character, Margaret, is telling this young intern about everything she’s been through, and it starts off clumsy, but quickly becomes this raw, devastating confession. It’s an exorcism of sorts – she’s laying bare the grooming, the manipulation, the abuse, and just… unimaginable trauma. What’s so striking is how clearly and specifically she describes it all – you’re completely gripped, even though it’s harrowing. And even with all that emotional weight, she delivers it with this incredible composure, which is so true to how trauma often manifests – not as a breakdown, but as this contained, internal implosion. It’s a tough watch, but incredibly powerful.

Ke Huy Quan as Waymond Wang

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)


A24

The movie *Everything Everywhere All at Once* centers around Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh), a Chinese-American laundromat owner who unexpectedly learns she’s linked to alternate versions of herself in different universes. She must team up with these other ‘herselfs’ to stop a powerful, destructive force named Jobu Tupaki from obliterating everything with a strange weapon – an ‘Everything Bagel’ that acts like a black hole.

The Importance of Kindness

Despite all the wild action, martial arts, and bizarre elements in this ambitious film, one of its most impactful scenes is surprisingly gentle. As Evelyn faces a difficult choice, Ke Huy Quan gives a beautiful and moving speech as Waymond, arguing that true strength comes from kindness and hope. It’s a quiet moment, full of emotion, that perfectly captures the film’s central themes of love, connection, and compassion.

Viola Davis as General Nanisca

‘The Woman King’ (2022)


Ilze Kitshoff/TriStar Pictures

Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Dana Stevens, *The Woman King* is a thrilling historical action movie based on the true story of the Agojie – a powerful, all-female warrior group who protected the West African Kingdom of Dahomey from the 17th to 19th centuries. The film, set in the 1820s, stars Viola Davis as General Nanisca, who trains a new generation of warriors to fight against a threatening foreign force that wants to dismantle their culture.

A General’s Inspiring Speech

Davis delivers a powerful and inspiring speech, embodying the strength and respect of a true leader. Addressing her soldiers, she speaks of fighting not just a battle, but of regaining their power and honor against injustice. The soldiers respond with a unified chant, amplifying the scene with courage and determination. It’s a call to action, but more importantly, a call to remember who they are and reclaim their worth.

Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman

‘The Batman’ (2022)


Warner Bros. Pictures

Matt Reeves’ 2022 film, *The Batman*, offered a fresh take on the classic superhero, presenting a dark and gritty story filled with corruption, sadness, and a search for self. Robert Pattinson perfectly captured the role of a troubled and intense Batman. The film starts with him driven by revenge, believing it’s the same as justice. However, throughout the story, he’s forced to question that belief and ultimately redefine who he is.

From Vengeance to Hope

With Gotham slowly healing from the Riddler’s attacks, Batman narrates a thoughtful message, a far cry from his earlier tone. He realizes that simply punishing criminals isn’t enough; the city needs someone to offer hope and lead a positive change. In a calm and reflective moment, he shows that true heroism isn’t about revenge, but about inspiring a better future. This scene is a turning point for Batman, presenting him as a hero for a new era.

America Ferrera as Gloria

‘Barbie’ (2023)


Warner Bros. Pictures

Greta Gerwig’s film, *Barbie*, features Margot Robbie as the famous doll who lives in a perfect world called Barbie Land, where all the Barbies have the best day, every day. The Kens, who live there too, feel good when a Barbie pays attention to them. Barbies hold all the important positions in Barbie Land – they’re presidents, CEOs, and Nobel Prize winners! Barbie believes her world has made a positive impact on the real world, but she’s shocked to discover the realities of patriarchy when she visits. These issues start to affect Barbie Land as well.

A Reckoning With Society’s Expectations of Women

In the movie, America Ferrera plays Gloria, a Mattel employee who assists Barbie in returning to Barbie Land. She delivers a powerful speech to a group of distressed Barbies, articulating the incredibly difficult experience of being a woman. Her speech highlights the immense pressure women face in a society dominated by men, exploring the struggles of meeting impossible standards for appearance, achievement, and how they’re expected to act. It’s a raw and emotional expression of long-held frustrations, offering a critique of societal norms while also providing a sense of release for women who have felt overwhelmed by these expectations.

Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter

‘Nosferatu’ (2024)

Robert Eggers offers a fresh and compelling take on F.W. Murnau’s classic, unofficial film based on Bram Stoker’s *Dracula*. Unlike the 1922 original, Eggers’ version gives the character of Ellen a strong voice and control over her own fate. The result is a truly remarkable Gothic horror film, celebrated for its breathtaking visuals. Bill Skarsgård delivers a terrifying performance as Count Orlok, completely transforming his look and voice into something truly nightmarish. The film also stars Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, and Simon McBurney.

A Dream of Death

Lily-Rose Depp delivers a truly captivating performance as the troubled main character. Early in the film, her character shares a deeply personal and haunting dream with her husband – a vulnerable and revealing moment. This poetic description of death immediately establishes a chilling atmosphere and suggests a dark, ancient force at play. Depp’s voice begins as soft and ethereal, like a fading memory, but gradually builds with fear, making it difficult to distinguish between the dream and a terrifying prediction. This scene isn’t just memorable; it powerfully introduces the character’s inner turmoil and sets the stage for the story to come.

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2025-10-10 03:04