Nothing makes the hair on my neck stand up and my heart skip like when a hero character says "no." Just "no." A one word sentence which states the end of their current arc. Be it fear, victimhood, the realization they have power and intend to use it, or a combination of those and more.
In the image above I've put the three which come to mind for me. Neo from the Matrix, Alita from Alita: Battle Angel, and Obi Wan from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. If I had to pick a favorite of the three, it would be Obi Wan. Say what you will about Episode I, but the anguish, rage and determination in that single word accompanied by that despairing musical swell is cinematic splendor.
I know for a fact there are more and I really want to know what powerful "no" has hit you from film/TV.
Created at . Page last updated at .
