10 Incredible TV Scenes Shot In A Single Take
5. runtime-err0r.r00 - Mr. Robot (S3E5)
In Season 3 Episode 5 of Mr. Robot, Elliot (Rami Malek) prepares to undo the damage he unintentionally caused after allying with The Dark Army.
After realising his boss (Portia Doubleday) is working against him, the master hacker desperately tries to stop the second phase of the cyberattack, and even though Elliot is always racked with fear and paranoia, the stakes here have never been higher. For this reason, having this episode play out as a continuous 45-minute take works perfectly, since Elliot's anxiety and lack of control can be observed and experienced in real time.
Although Rami Malek and Portia Doubleday always bring their A-game, their performances here elevate this masterful storyline further. Watching Malek's character slowly realising his plan is crumbling is so panic-inducing, you feel like you're in the thick of it all.
Despite the fact that there are a couple of hidden cuts - which were needed for the camera to pass through glass and walls - they're completely unnoticeable, so it never interrupts the flow. Though Mr. Robot has many incredible episodes, few can top the cinematography, editing, and overall intensity as this gem.