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 appeared, he had already established himself as a legit actor. But the general public hadn't smarted up to it yet. The general public still considered him 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. 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 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 didn't realize he was great until Tick, Tick, Boom. 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 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.”