Top 11 Aesthetic Chills-Inducing Moments in Movies
- CJ Tiernan
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
By CJ Tiernan
You know that feeling you get when you’re watching a movie and your empathy senses are triggered to such a degree that you feel a visceral response? The hairs on the nape of the neck stand on end and feel flushed, full of adrenaline and flooded with energy. Those are aesthetic chills and man alive can they feel powerful. I often find that if a movie triggers that response in me, I like the movie a lot and weigh it heavily in my rankings. Below is a cultivated list of my Top 11 Most Aesthetic Chills-Inducing Moments in Movies I’ve ever seen.
1. Whiplash (2014) - Ending
The about-face at the end of this movie wherein two guys are just pursuing excellence is nothing short of incredible. Imagine being one of the other musicians in this scene looking around and going, “Wait. We rehearsed this. Like, kind of a lot and now this joker that wasn’t at practice is just riffing?” J.K. Simmons earned his Oscar throughout the movie but oh man, his work at the end brought the house down.
2. Independence Day (1996) - Presidential Speech
Every July 4th I make an effort to play this speech. It hits every time. While I hope our president is never forced to deliver this speech to the nation, if the speech writers churn out a banger like this one in that unlikely event, then I’m kind of okay with an alien invasion. Plus, it seems like UFOs (now called UAPs – Unidentified Aerial Anomalous Phenomena) are real so maybe we’re close.
3. It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010) - Under Pressure
It’s Kind of a Funny Story is kind of a serious story. A young man is depressed to the point of suicidal contemplation and checks himself into a clinic that doesn’t meet his age group. The movie as a whole is understated and personal but this scene is the belle of the ball and a tonal departure with its surrealism. The denizens of the psych ward break into song in a surreal manner in this scene that warms the cockles of the heart.
4. Good Will Hunting (1997) – I Had to Go See About a Girl
“I had to go see about a girl.” “Son of a bitch. He stole my line.” One of the greatest movie endings of all time. It is simultaneously telegraphed and perfect. Throw in a Robin Williams improv and now you’re just showing off. Good stuff.
5. Braveheart (1995) - FREEDOM!
You know what I like about torture… Nope. Withdrawn! I will not be starting that way. The scene is really remarkable, though. Some may quibble with the reality of the story portrayed in the film but I don’t care. If you want history, read a history book. If you want to be entertained, go to the movies.
6. My Cousin Vinny (1992) - The Defense is Wrong
The defense calls to the stand an expert that negates the story of the defense. “It’s a bold strategy, Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for ‘em.” It pays off in a huge way. It is so satisfying because the expert is the fiancée of the defense lawyer and she is discovering in real time while on the stand why she is there even though she is mad at a never-funnier Joe Pesci. The whole movie is incredible (and quotable – “no self-respecting Southerner uses instant grits”) and endlessly rewatchable. This ending is a big reason why.
7. Ocean's Eleven (2001) - Heist Reveal
When Clue ends the movie in multiple ways and says, “Here’s how it could have happened,” you are just along for the wild, wild ride. Much is the case in Ocean’s Eleven. We spend the whole movie hinting at who and what is required to pull off the heist but when we get to see what just happened all put together: wow! Satisfying on the highest of levels. Everyone has their role and nails it. Plus, the cast is as stacked as it gets outside of an MCU joint.
8. Thor: Ragnarok (2017) - Bifrost Bridge
Speaking of the MCU, I give you this iconic scene. When the Immigrant Song blares while the God of Thunder rains down lightning on the rainbow bridge, it’s incredible. If you freeze it, the resulting snapshot feels like an Iron Maiden album cover (or one of those 90s shirts with a wolf and lightning). Epic levels of cool.
9. Rounders (1998) - He Beat Me, Straight Up
90s Matt Damon, man. He always hits (poker pun alert!). This is another movie that is wildly quotable. “Pay him. Pay that man his money.” My freshman year of High School, my best friend had me watch this movie and I’ve never been the same. We played poker with a bunch of friends all the time in High School. I firmly believe this movie to be the reason why. Even though most of the time we see the main character play poker, he loses, it still seems so grand and tantalizing.
10. Signs (2002) - Swing Away, Merrill
That’s right. There are two emotionally powerful moments in alien movies on my list. How many does yours have? I can’t get enough of this movie. When Joaquin Phoenix shows up with a tin foil hat on, I lose it. So great! But this moment toward the end, which feels like a culmination and satisfying loop-closing of character quirks, is the best. I know some have quibbled with the decision by the aliens to invade a planet covered by water (which, Spoiler Alert!, is toxic to them), but space is toxic to humans and we keep sending dudes (and dudettes) back up there. Exploration involves risk (although you’d think they’d have brought, like, galoshes or something).
11. A Star is Born (2018) - Shallow
Surprise-attacking someone with a live performance of a song they wrote in front of a large crowd really straddles the line between malevolence and benevolence. The thing is: Lady Gaga is always ready. Her voice is incredible and on full display in this song. This song is the moving moment that her character goes from waitress/singer to singer/superstar. We feel the pop from the audience immediately and she subsequently sees her career explode (while Bradley Cooper’s character trends the other way due to self-destructive actions). The song may be called Shallow, but this moment is deep (Sorry. I’m not mad at me, I’m just disappointed).
Final Thoughts
What makes the chills aesthetic? They feel good. I don’t include jump scares and heartbreak, moments in movies that may make you feel something but that something isn’t necessarily positive. Aesthetic chills: positive vibes only. I’m sure there are some great ones that I left off the list so please let me know in the comments which ones give you all the feels. Thanks! Have a great day!
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