20 Flawless Scenes From 2021 Movies

16. Don't Look Up: Leo's On-Air Freakout

Adam McKay's pitch-black comedy is notable for having possibly the most stacked ensemble cast of the year, so it's not too much of a surprise that it contains one of 2021's finest bits of film acting.

In this scene, Dr Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) is on live television and when discussing the comet heading towards earth - and the government's failure to act on what could well be the end of mankind - he has what can only be described as the mother of all freak-outs. And boy oh boy is this scene effective.

As stinging and unsettling as it is darkly hilarious, this wonderfully-written scene is a phenomenal acting showcase for one of America's greatest living actors and it's so great that it completely overshadows the rest of Don't Look Up, which was already a solid movie (even if its nomination for Best Picture was unjustified).

Contributor

Film Studies graduate, aspiring screenwriter and all-around nerd who, despite being a pretentious cinephile who loves art-house movies, also loves modern blockbusters and would rather watch superhero movies than classic Hollywood films. Once met Tommy Wiseau.