I’m not the type of person that watches movies as a form of escapism. If I ever leave a theater after watching a movie and think, “That was a fun, cute watch!”, it means it wasn’t a 5-star film for me. I love films that burrow themselves into your psyche and take up your thoughts for the next week or two. The films that make you think about the world differently or introduce you to a new perspective that you’ve never thought of before. Here are some film scenes that have lived in my head rent free since the moment I’ve watched them. (There are spoilers, but it’s been a while since all of these movies have come out so I don’t really care.)

Nicole Kidman crying on the beach in Birth (dir. Jonathan Glazer)

There are a couple scenes from this film that are etched into my brain (the opera scene, the bathtub scene), but I think the most memorable scene in this film for me was the ending where Nicole Kidman is crying on the beach in a wedding dress as the death of her first husband begins to finally settle in. In my opinion, this is one of Nicole Kidman’s best roles alongside her role in Dogville.

This whole “chase” scene in Burning (dir. Lee Chang Dong)

This movie does so much with so little. I think it’s a masterclass in suspense. There’s no music in this scene. It’s just Jong-su and Ben on the road, creating an intimate, claustrophobic viewing experience for the viewer who is left holding their breath, wondering what will happen next.

The ending scene of Portrait of a Lady on Fire (dir. Celine Sciamma)

Even though this is one of my favorite movies, I can admit that the middle of this movie is quite slow. However, the end of this film felt like it was going at a million miles an hour. I watch the ending on YouTube whenever I want to feel something. It’s truly one of my favorite ending scenes in all of cinema.

Sookhee and Hideko pouring red ink all over the books and destroying them in The Handmaiden (dir. Park Chan Wook)

“The savior who has come to ruin my life. My Tamako, my Sookhee.”

The symbolism in this scene is so beautiful. It’s hard not to feel moved as Sookhee takes charge and leads Hideko out of her situation. The score is also so beautiful, and one that I listen to often.

The picture scene in Oldboy (dir. Park Chan Wook)

If you know, you know. One of the few times in my life where I’ve gasped out loud watching a movie.

Zhang Ziyi slapping Tony Leung in the middle of an argument in 2046 (dir. Wong Kar Wai)

I can’t pinpoint exactly why this scene stands out to me. It just does. This was a tour de force performance from Zhang Zi Yi. It was like watching someone say “Yeah, I know I’m a good actor. Watch me do what I do best.” One of the best acting performances I’ve seen.