10 Best Movie Characters That Never Say A Word
3. Elisa Esposito - The Shape Of Water
When The Shape of Water won the Best Picture Oscar in 2018, it was the second movie in just six years with a silent protagonist to win the Academy's top honour - the other being 2011's The Artist.
Unlike most of the characters on this list, though, The Shape of Water's mute hero Elisa Esposito (a superb Sally Hawkins) does communicate extensively through sign language, even if the central relationship with the Amphibian Man (Doug Jones) is one better defined by facial expressions and body language.
Hawkins, who received a well-earned Best Actress Oscar nomination for her performance, wrings every conceivable drop of emotion and character from the role, in turn delivering one of the greatest silent characters in the pantheon of modern cinema.