23 Movies That Made People See An Actor In A Completely Different Light

Recently, we asked the BuzzFeed Community to share movies that permanently changed how they see an actor, and the responses poured in. From actors who unexpectedly delivered impressive dramatic performances to actors who proved they were capable of far more than people gave them credit for, here are some roles that people said left a lasting impression on them.

Note: Some entries have been edited for length/clarity.

1. "I got so tired of Jim Carrey. The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, and especially couldn't stand Ace Ventura. Then I saw The Truman Show, followed by Man of the Moon, and realized he actually can act and doesn't have to resort to his slapstick schtick."

2. "My opinion of Mark Wahlberg changed COMPLETELY after watching Boogie Nights. I didn’t watch the movie for a couple of years after it came out, and had very low expectations. I watched it begrudgingly after hearing people rave about it, just so I could explain to them exactly why I hated it. But I was blown away by how good it was, especially surprised and impressed by Wahlberg's performance. He gave a brilliant, nuanced performance, and it forever changed my opinion of him."

—58, M, Alabama

3. "Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich. I was unimpressed by Pretty Woman and Steel Magnolias. I thought people were just giving her a pass because they were taken by her beauty. But she blew me away in Erin Brockovich. I had to completely recalibrate my opinion of her."

4. "Jamie Foxx in Ray."

—Anonymous

5. "Robin Williams in What Dreams May Come and Good Will Hunting. He had an amazing sense of humor. But these are just two movies he did that show his serious side. He was such an amazing actor."

—witch2burn77

6. "Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada. She played the role so well, and I didn't know that a character could speak so little but still have such a powerful impact on the film."

7. "Robert Pattinson. I watched him in Harry Potter at first, and for a while, he was my biggest 'hear me out.' Now, after watching Twilight, I can only see him as the creepy stalker that he played in Twilight."

—famouscrocodile533

8. "Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger. He was crazy good as a villain on par with Heath Ledger’s Joker. But since seeing him in it, I have not been able to watch him in anything else. I get a little scared just thinking about him."

—42, F, Arizona

9. "Jack Black - Jumanji. I know he's comedy funny, so being funny is true to form. HOWEVER, it’s one thing to be funny and pull off comedy. It’s a whole other thing to pull off the comedy while simultaneously acting as a teenage girl stuck in Jack Black's body… and he did it so effortlessly there were moments I forgot it was him."

10. "Schindler’s List. All three male leads gave performances that pulled emotions out of viewers that were near life-changing! Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, and Ben Kingsley. Incredible performances!"

—70, M, Minnesota

11. "I was so surprised by Michael Cera in The Running Man. Thought he was always going to be a goofball and didn’t even realize it was him."

—54, F, USA

12. "Ryan Gosling in the Barbie movie."

13. "Jason Segel in the criminally underrated and underseen The End of the Tour. Despite playing against type, he is mesmerizing as David Foster Wallace in a restrained and heartbreaking turn that is a far cry from his comedic roles. I really hope he gets more opportunities to showcase his dramatic chops in the future."

—Anonymous

14. "Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook. He proved his worth as an actor and showed so much range and emotion. He should have won an Oscar for his performance."

—Anonymous

15. "Before I saw Cast Away, I thought Tom Hanks was a goofy guy, an unserious actor who acted in movies like The Burbs, Turner and Hooch, and Big. For some reason, I skipped Forrest Gump, Sleepless in Seattle, and A League of Their Own. After seeing Cast Away, I was in awe at the emotion and raw talent Hanks displayed. Now, Cast Away is one of my favorite movies, and Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors.

16. "Philadelphia. To me, Tom Hanks was always just Tom Hanks. He sounded the same in every movie, no matter the role. In Philadelphia, Tom Hanks portrayed something so real and beautiful that I changed my mind about him."

—32, F, New Jersey

17. "Reign of Fire with Matthew McConaughey. It was the first time I saw him in an action movie, playing a genuine tough-guy role. Before Reign, I had seen him playing only soft roles (e.g., Contact).

—78, M, California

18. "Reese Witherspoon in Freeway. She gave an incredible performance that showed guts, charisma, comedic timing, and a deep, fearless commitment to the part. I saw the movie at least 10 years after it came out, but she blew me away, and I realized what a great actress she was."

19. "Eddie Redmayne from the movie Hick. Many people may not be familiar with the movie, but ever since I saw it, I can't get his performance as an absolute creep out of my head. I still can't watch a movie with him in it without thinking about that character."

—33, F, Edmonton

20. "I have never been 'hyped' about Ryan Gosling, but man, his performance in Hail Mary. He was amazing, and the captivating performance did it for me. Couldn't possibly be the same guy as La La Land? Apparently, he is talented. who would've thought lol."

—23, F, Toronto

21. "Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight...knowing how hard he prepared for that role, and it was ultimately one of the things that killed him in the end. So tragic."

22. "Emma Stone in Poor Things."

—17, F, California

23. Finally, "Florence Pugh in We Live In Time. I knew she was good, but that just solidified her place in my favorite actors…especially when I watched Lady Macbeth right before that. The contrast is astounding—truly talented."

—32, M, Quebec

Now, what's a movie that everyone seems to love, but it actually changed your opinion of the actor for the worse? Share your answer in the comments.