Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools films rely on for their success. It can be challenging to win audiences over with a trailer, but once 15 of your friends mention how great a movie was, your interest might finally be piqued. Some great films, however, don’t get audiences talking immediately. Some particularly powerful movies leave audiences stewing in silence, contemplating what they just experienced, for minutes, or even hours, after viewing.
If you’re looking for a shocking or heart wrenching film that might leave you speechless, Reddit users have recently compiled a comprehensive list of the ones that left them “sitting in silence for 10 minutes after watching.” Feel free to take note of the films you haven’t yet experienced, and be sure to upvote the ones that left you at a loss for words as well.
#22
Children of men.
I had no idea what to expect from the movie and was only looking for something to fill the time while out of town on a business trip. I saw a movie theater within walking distance from my hotel and went there. I was stunned. I recommended the movie to anyone who was willing to hear me talk about it.
111points
#24
City of God.
This also broke my heart and just did a number on me well after the film ended. It was one of those movies I was glad to have seen but wished I hadn’t. My son was very little at the time, and I just cried and held him for a very long time after I turned the TV off.
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108points
#26
The Prestige.
I thought it was pretty amazing that the movie blatantly reveals what’s happening but it’s not till the very last *second* you understand the scope of what Robert was doing.
That alone left me saying “…holy s**t”
Then I learned that the entire movie was intentionally setup with the three step structure of a magic trick and I said “Hooooooly s**t!”
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107points
#28
Everything Everywhere, All At Once.
This movie had me crying and laughing at the same time (not even crying from laughing too hard, but actually crying) — so good.
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102points
#29
Not a movie but The Haunting of Hill House. After every episode I sat in silence for a bit to take it all in.
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98points
#31
Midsommar. Saw it in theaters and I had to take a shower when I got home. Now it’s one of my favorite films though!
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96points
#32
Oldboy (the original from Park Chan Wook, not the remake).
This was the first movie I've watched where the twist came out of nowhere. I was enjoying the fight scenes and I'm thinking, Yeaaah, kick some ass and get your revenge.
Then the plot twist happened and my jaw dropped.
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95points
#34
Promising Young Woman. I was so filled with rage and despair and realized I really needed to talk to someone about the film but at the same time couldn’t recommend it to just anyone to watch it.
I watched the entire movie while on an airplane and I didn’t have headphones, so I could only read the subtitles. Even with subtitles, I was absolutely drawn in.
I had to rewatch it (with sound!) when I got back home.
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90points
#35
Infinity War. I'd avoided all spoilers and the snap had everyone just silent.
Yeah, the audience was in shock. It reminded me of watching The Empire Strikes Back as a kid. Someone said as the credits rolled something like, 'Did…did the good guys just..LOSE?' It was unexpected, since Star Wars was such a triumphant ending. I remember we all liked Empire but were shocked at what happened.
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89points
#36
Disney's Soul. Put me through a good ol existential crisis.
Criminally underrated movie.
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87points
#38
Not a movie, but Game of thrones season 3 episode 9. The Red Wedding...
The lack of music during the credits was just right
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84points
#40
Once Were Warriors.
I sat staring at the screen for ages. WTF? I had to watch it again immediately because I was very confused as to whether I enjoyed it or not. It was just as moving the second time.
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81points
