Browse Acting Monologues & Scenes

Thelma & Louise

by Callie Khouri

While driving through the desert, Thelma's hysterical laughter over their recent trauma shifts into a somber moment of clarity. She realizes that Louise's violent reaction to Harlan's assault stems from a similar, unspoken tragedy in Louise's own past in Texas.

The Boys

by Eric Kripke

Annie, a superhero, has a disheartening phone call with her mother after a traumatic incident. A kind stranger, Hughie, notices her distress and offers a comforting perspective, inspiring her to reclaim her strength and identity.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

by Stephen Chbosky

Charlie reflects on his journey through high school and his mental health struggles while driving through a tunnel with his best friends. He reaches a state of pure presence and joy, realizing that he is not defined by his past trauma but by the beauty of the current moment. The scene serves as the emotional climax where Charlie finally feels 'infinite' and connected to the world.

Sorry, Baby

by Eva Victor

Pete, a blunt and eccentric sandwich shop owner, shares a meal with Agnes, a young woman who is clearly struggling with past trauma. As Pete rambles about the local dump and his dislike for his son, Agnes tentatively opens up about a 'bad thing' that happened to her years ago. Pete offers a unique brand of comfort, shifting from cynical observations to a sincere offer of support through the medium he knows best: sandwiches.

Yellowstone

by Taylor Sheridan

Beth discovers a car seat in Jamie's vehicle, forcing him to admit he has a secret son. The revelation triggers Beth's deep-seated trauma regarding her infertility, leading to a violent confrontation and a chilling vow of revenge against her brother.

Twenty Five Twenty One

by Kwon Hye-joo

A poignant reunion between a father and son where they confront the trauma of past financial ruin and the recent psychological toll of reporting on 9/11. The scene explores themes of shared hopelessness, parental guilt, and the burden of family responsibility.

Twenty Five Twenty One

by Kwon Hye-joo

A poignant reunion between a father and son who have both been weathered by financial and national crises. They share a vulnerable moment of mutual forgiveness, discussing the weight of responsibility and the hope required to survive traumatic times.

Twenty Five Twenty One

by Kim Eun-hee

A long-distance couple faces a breaking point when Yi Jin reveals he has applied for a permanent position in New York without telling Hee Do. The scene explores the conflict between professional duty, the trauma of reporting on tragedy, and the emotional toll of a relationship where one partner feels deprioritized.

Sorry, Baby

by Eva Victor

Agnes recounts a traumatic sexual encounter to her friend Lydie while sitting in a bathtub. As Agnes processes the details of the evening, both women realize the gravity of the assault that occurred, ending in a moment of somber support.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

by Stephen Chbosky

On the night before she leaves for college, Sam confronts Charlie about his passivity and why he never asked her out. Charlie finally confesses his deep feelings for her, leading to a vulnerable romantic moment that is suddenly interrupted by a traumatic flashback.

The Handmaiden

by Seo-Kyung Chung, Chan-wook Park

In a moment of quiet intimacy, Sookhee and Lady Hideko bond over their shared trauma of losing their mothers. Sookhee attempts to comfort Hideko's deep-seated guilt and nihilism with a fierce, protective compassion that transcends their class boundaries.

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

by Rifujin na Magonote

Rudeus is paralyzed by grief and self-loathing following a traumatic loss, retreating into his shell. Roxy intervenes with compassionate but firm guidance, challenging his despair and offering a path toward healing and reconnection with the world. The scene centers on the struggle to overcome trauma and the importance of mentorship in finding a reason to continue.

Minority Report

by Scott Frank

Iris Hineman reveals the dark and tragic origins of the Precrime system to Detective John Anderton. She explains that the precogs were not lab-grown inventions but the traumatized survivors of failed genetic experiments intended to treat a neurological syndrome.

The Killing

by Veena Sud

Detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder discuss the cynical reality of police work while driving through Seattle. Sarah challenges Holder's idealistic view of homicide by recounting a tragic case that highlights the systemic cycle of trauma and crime.

Heartbreak High

by Marieke Hardy

Amerie breaks down in front of her mother, Huma, overwhelmed by guilt for failing her friend. As they discuss the trauma her friend endured, Amerie's grief turns into a burning desire for vengeance against those who caused the suffering.

Sleepy Hollow

by Andrew Kevin Walker, Tom Stoppard

Following a traumatic nightmare, Ichabod Crane finds comfort in Katrina Van Tassel's arms as he reveals the dark origins of his cynicism and the death of his mother. The two share an intimate moment of vulnerability where Ichabod struggles to reconcile his dedication to logic with his growing feelings for Katrina.

The Silence of the Lambs

by Ted Tally

Clarice Starling recounts a haunting childhood trauma to Dr. Hannibal Lecter, explaining her failed attempt to save a lamb from slaughter. She reveals that her drive to rescue Catherine Martin is a desperate attempt to silence the psychological 'screaming' that has plagued her since that night.

Into the Wild

by Sean Penn

Chris McCandless reflects on the youthful innocence of his parents before their marriage and the subsequent years of domestic trauma. He expresses a desperate, impossible desire to warn them of the pain they will cause each other and their children, ultimately choosing to distance himself from their legacy in order to survive.

A Clockwork Orange

by Stanley Kubrick

Mr. Alexander makes a frantic, conspiratorial phone call to organize a political strike against the government. He describes Alex as a 'living witness' to the government's dehumanizing conditioning techniques, revealing his intent to use the boy as a political weapon despite his own trauma.

Castle

by Andrew Marlowe

During a late-night investigation, Castle observes Beckett's intensity and questions her motivations for becoming a cop. He uses his skills as a novelist to correctly deduce a traumatic event in her past, momentarily breaking her professional composure.

Gangs of London

by Gareth Evans, Matt Flannery

In a clandestine basement workshop, Darren questions Evie about her illegal ammunition manufacturing business. The conversation shifts from technical logistics to personal trauma as Evie reveals the scar from a near-fatal gunshot wound that motivated her trade. The scene ends on a chilling note when Evie bluntly asks Darren about his own history with murder.

Gangs of London

by Gareth Evans, Matt Flannery

In a desperate attempt to escape through an underground tunnel, a wounded Kinney and his son Darren confront the deep-seated resentment and trauma between them. Darren threatens his father with a loaded gun, leading to a raw moment of reconciliation where Kinney offers his life in exchange for his son's safety.

Battle of the Sexes

by Simon Beaufoy

In a quiet, intimate hotel room, Billie Jean King practices tennis against an invisible opponent in the middle of the night. She reveals to Marilyn the childhood trauma of being excluded for her social class, explaining that her drive to be number one is the only way she can truly have a voice in the world.

A Better Place

by Bill Cain

Justin reflects on his history of addiction while watching his father's truck patrol the parking lot below. He recounts a vulnerable memory of his father checking his heartbeat while he was sleeping on the streets, highlighting the lingering trauma and the fragile bond between them.