One-Scene Wonders

[Watashi]

Let's list off films in which an actor/actress appears for one scene and either steals the show or has a profound impact on the viewer.

I'll start first: Bruce McGill in The Insider.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFqYn3i_UQ0

[Spinal]

First thing to come to mind:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kZg_ALxEz0

[Henry Gale]

For some reason James Badge Dale in the stairwell scene Flight was the first thing that pinged in my head. I don't remember the specifics of it, but the impression it left on me was just that he gave such a perfectly, simultaneously affable and haunting performance that definitely remains the thing I remember most about it. You just feel his whole life with him within a handful of minutes of dialogue, and then when he leaves the scene (and the film) you still know everything you'll ever need to about him from those moments, wherever he might have gone next. More than a tough feat for any film or performance to pull off, let alone with a character that has maybe five minutes on screen who isn't even essential to the greater story at all.

The same year he had that one early scene in The Grey too, where he's critically injured and frantic and Neeson's character helps talk him towards dying which just completely sets the tone for the rest of it in the greatest way.

I'm sure more will come to mind.

[Sven]

It may be good to spoil the youtube clips so the thread doesn't become unloadable:

Walken's walk-in in Gigli:


http://youtu.be/3Jnx4H4LZTU

[Winston*]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0PbwLTLKA4

[amberlita]

Always the first thing I think of (JT Walsh, Outbreak):



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ6zQZ9GGTY

[Ezee E]

Walken in Pulp Fiction.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVxl__61vKI

[Ezee E]

Alfred Molina, Boogie Nights


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGp-4NP76MM

[Raiders]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXGzO2aDDRU

[Barty]

Donald Sutherland, Mr. X, JFK


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSw9sjqYK_I

[Torgo]

Ned Beatty in Network:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKkRDMil0bw

[quido8_5]

Not one scene, but close enough: McConaughey in Wolf of Wall Street

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UTHlXb0PXh4

Also, from Bananas:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1QVthvDhPo

And, just remembered this classic: the ingenue in La Dolce Vita:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g2vRGOh_7u4

[Idioteque Stalker]

Viola Davis in Doubt.

[Dukefrukem]

Correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a while.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYyEEInv0zE

[Lazlo]

Not really on the level of some of these but I enjoyed seeing Scoot McNairy in Gone Girl.

[Winston*]

Peter Stormare in Constantine


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rVFse1LLQs