History Main / FacialDialogue

* ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'' has Chane, [[BunnyEarsLawyer according to Claire]]. No one else can see it, but mostly they know better than to question him.

** In ''Film/AnAdventureInSpaceAndTime'', William Hartnell wants to find ways to do this when he starts to have trouble remembering his lines. The scene happens in mid-1965 or so, and by this point, Hartnell isn't at all well; the memory problems are a symptom of his illness. His efforts at finding a workaround seem more of a quick fix for a problem [[ForegoneConclusion that will eventually get worse.]]

* [[CuteMute Akira Oono]], the titular character of ''Manga/HighScoreGirl'', relies almost entirely on facial expressions to communicate with others, despite not being mute to begin with.

* In the climax of ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheLastCrusade'', CorruptCorporateExecutive Donovan and DarkActionGirl Elsa Schneider are searching for the Holy Grail in a [[NeedleInAStackOfNeedles roomful of ornate beweled cups]]. Elsa selects an especially spectacular one and hands it to Donovan. Her expression alone tells you [[spoiler:she deliberately chose the wrong one.]] Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Indy and the [[TheAgeless Grail Knight]] have a silent conversation with only facial expressions that goes something like: [[spoiler:"She knows that's not the real Grail. What happens when he drinks from the wrong Grail?" "I don't know, but I know [[ThisIsGonnaSuck it's not going to be pretty."]]

* In the climax of ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheLastCrusade'', CorruptCorporateExecutive Donovan and DarkActionGirl Elsa Schneider are searching for the Holy Grail in a [[NeedleInAStackOfNeedles roomful of ornate beweled cups. Elsa selects an especially spectacular one and hands it to Donovan. Her expression alone tells you [[spoiler:she deliberately chose the wrong one.]] Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Indy and the [[TheAgeless Grail Knight]] have a silent conversation with only facial expressions that goes something like: [[spoiler:"She knows that's not the real Grail. What happens when he drinks from the wrong Grail?" "I don't know, but I know [[ThisIsGonnaSuck it's not going to be pretty."]]

* Duma, the Angel of Silence, speaks entire volumes with nothing but expressions in ''ComicBook/TheSandman''. Their gestures and actions also say (and accomplish!) volumes more than their partner, Remiel, despite ''his'' almost complete inability to shut the hell up.

* ''LightNovel/KinosJourney'' has an excellent example in one episode: Kino is in the land of the people who drank nanomachines that transmitted every thought and feeling, and each eventually had to live apart from everyone. After the man telling the story finishes, Kino's pep talk causes him to realise something; he silently thanks her, and her expression clearly says, "You're welcome." She explains all this to Hermes to ensure the audience get the point too.

** At least once is carried entirely based on facial expressions. Early in the movie, a small column of tanks are ambushed and the lead tank blown up by a trio of [[ChildSoldier Hitler Youth]] (who look as though they're just hitting adolescence), and the main reason they were able to do it is because Norman, the NewMeat gunner in the tank ''[[ICallItVera Fury]]'' saw them a few seconds before they fired but hesitated to shoot at them because he saw they were kids. After Norman's sergeant [[NomDeGuerre Wardaddy]] shoots and kills them, he gives the bodies a long look that shows that he clearly regrets and is saddened by the fact that he had to kill them... and then his face hardens as he puts on his hardass SergeantRock attitude and stalks back to the tank to chew out Norman for not having acted when he first saw the kids. The visible sadness and regret is one of the early hints that Wardaddy isn't as completely hardened and heartless as he tends to act.

* In ''FanFic/{{Amelia}}'', both Minerva and Alexandria have [[Literature/{{Worm}} Thinker powers]] that make them preternaturally good at reading facial expressions and body language and use this to have extended and progressively more flirtatious conversations either in silence or hidden under what they're saying out loud.

* At least one scene in ''Film/Fury2014'' is carried almost entirely based on facial expressions. Early in the movie, a small column of tanks are ambushed and the lead tank blown up by a trio of [[ChildSoldier Hitler Youth]] (who look as though they're just hitting adolescence), and the main reason they were able to do it is because Norman, the NewMeat gunner in the tank "[[ICallItVera Fury]]" saw them a few seconds before they fired but hesitated to shoot at them because he saw they were kids. After Norman's sergeant [[NomDeGuerre Wardaddy]] shoots and kills them, he gives the bodies a long look that shows that he clearly regrets and is saddened by the fact that he had to kill them... and then his face hardens as he puts on his hardass SergeantRock attitude and stalks back to the tank to chew out Norman for not having acted when he first saw the kids. The visible sadness and regret is one of the early hints that Wardaddy isn't as completely hardened and heartless as he tends to act.

EyeTake, EyebrowWaggle, EyelashFluttering, AsideGlance, FascinatingEyebrow, and SecretMessageWink may be used as part of the Facial Dialogue, but by themselves are only limited versions. Often the forte of TheSilentBob, TheVoiceless, the SilentSnarker, and TheQuietOne. Often featured in a NoDialogueEpisode. It is just as often used by characters who are perfectly capable of speaking, but just don't on this occasion, but in that case, you should consider whether or not it qualifies instead as a MeaningfulLook.

Used correctly, such scenes can be as good as, or even better, than those with actual spoken dialogue.

** Later, River responds to one of Simon's questions with a similar "[[WhatAnIdiot Simon, don't be an idiot]]" glare.

* ''Series/TheMandalorian'' depends on this during the rare occasions that the Mandalorian removes his helmet near another character. Emotions that the seldom-speaking bounty hunter can't put into words instead come through in his facial expressions, which he struggles to hide without his helmet.
** In one especially memorable scene, Din is infiltrating [[TheRemnant an Empire Remnant]] base with assistance from the ex-imperial Mayfield and [[DressingAsTheEnemy stolen uniforms]]. Mayfield comes across an old commanding officer who [[BeneathNotice barely remembered him]], and they are roped into an uncomfortable table discussion with the officer unaware of the situation. [[spoiler: In the conversation the officer boasts of the Empires' plans to burn everything to the ground [[WeHaveReserves without concern for their own soldiers]]. Mayfield starts having issues with PTSD remembering his fallen friends and is obviously about to turn violent, which would blow their cover. The tension is conveyed entirely through Mayfield's growing rage and Dins' eyes pleading "DON'T." Then it gets violent]].

EyeTake, EyebrowWaggle, AsideGlance, FascinatingEyebrow, and SecretMessageWink may be used as part of the Facial Dialogue, but by themselves are only limited versions. Often the forte of TheSilentBob, TheVoiceless, the SilentSnarker, and TheQuietOne. Often featured in a NoDialogueEpisode. It is just as often used by characters who are perfectly capable of speaking, but just don't on this occasion, but in that case, you should consider whether or not it qualifies instead as a MeaningfulLook.

* ''Series/TheMandalorian'' depends on this during the rare occasions that [[spoiler:the Mandalorian removes his helmet near another character. Emotions that the seldom-speaking bounty hunter can't put into words instead come through in his facial expressions, which he struggles to hide without his helmet.]]

* In the final episode of ''VideoGame/TheWalkingDeadVideoGame'' Season 1, Kenny offers [[INeedAFreakingDrink a bottle of whiskey]] to the other group members. Christa initially looks at her stomach before taking the bottle from him and downing it. While she does so, we see Kenny's face light up with a realization: [[spoiler:she's pregnant]]. He never comments on it and it isn't properly revealed until the beginning of Season 2.

* Takeo from ''Anime/MagicUsersClub'' has literal facial dialogue at times, with his thoughts being written out on his face.
* ''LightNovel/KinosJourney'' has an excellent example in one episode: Kino is in the land of the people who drank nanomachines that transmitted every thought and feeling, and each eventually had to live apart from everyone. After the man telling the story finishes, Kino's pep talk causes him to realise something; he silently thanks her, and her expression clearly says, "You're welcome." She explains all this to Hermes to ensure the audience get the point too.
* Kotarou from ''Manga/GakuenBabysitters'', who rarely speaks actual words due to being a young toddler, usually communicates in this fashion.

* Duma, the Angel of Silence, speaks entire volumes with nothing but expressions in ''ComicBook/TheSandman''. Their gestures and actions also say (and accomplish!) volumes more than their partner, Remiel, despite ''his'' almost complete inability to shut the hell up.

* ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'' is famed for doing this ''as well'' as having dialogue, adding a lot of depth to characters. The most famous example is when Rorschach's landlord begs him not to reveal to her children that she is a prostitute--his silent response is fascinatingly difficult to decipher.

* Early on expressions and body language were [[ComicBook/Batgirl2000 Cassandra Cain]]'s only way to communicate since her father didn't think learning how to talk was one of the skills she needed to be the perfect assassin.

* In ''FanFic/{{Amelia}}'', both Minerva and Alexandria have [[Literature/{{Worm}} Thinker powers]] that make them preternaturally good at reading facial expressions and body language and use this to have extended and progressively more flirtatious conversations either in silence or hidden under what they're saying out loud.

* ''WesternAnimation/WallaceAndGromit'': Gromit. Although it's a necessity in his case, since he's mute, and he's a dog.
* Dopey, from ''WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs'', does this throughout the entire film. Like Gromit, he does so because he is mute.

* In the first ''WesternAnimation/IceAge'' film, Diego has almost no dialogue during the scene where it's revealed that [[spoiler:Manny lost his family to human hunters]]. But his facial expressions tell the audience [[HeelRealization exactly what he's feeling.]] Likewise, Sid takes Diego's advice and doesn't say a word, but the look on HIS face says it all, too.

* In ''Film/KungFuHustle'', the landlady of Pigsty Alley [[StealthHiBye pays a visit]] to Sum's car to give them a long-winded talking-to, which she does with much aplomb, and without speaking a single word out loud (though some of her dialogue comes from her hands, or rather, her fists. She doesn't punch anyone but she makes it clear that she has no qualms about doing so in future if necessary. She then [[StealthHiBye sends the intruders off]] without inflicting any physical harm, but she's delivered a wordless ultimatum that was clearer-than-crystal.
* ''Film/{{Serenity}}'':
** During the opening robbery, River and Zoe have a short conversation using nothing but facial expressions that goes something like, "That guy." "That guy? Are you sure?" "Who do you think you're talking to? Of course, I'm sure! That guy!"
** Later, River responds to one of Simon's questions with a similar "[[WhatAnIdiot Simon, don't be an idiot]]" glare.
* Jake, the PluckyComicRelief Sheriff's Deputy in ''Film/SupportYourLocalSheriff'', does this a lot. It was one of the things Creator/JackElam, the actor playing Jake, was best known for.
* Creator/GeneKelly has a few memorable looks, including one moment during the dance scene of "You Were Meant For Me."
* Creator/AkiraKurosawa was excellent at getting this out of Creator/ToshiroMifune.
** A short scene in ''Film/TheHiddenFortress'' had Tahei (Minoru Chiaki) and Matashichi (Kamatari Fujiwara) giving "You go first!" "No, you!" looks to each other as they hesitate to confront General Makabe (played by Mifune).
* John Cusack [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6hQx9PW20E has a deep and profoundly spiritual conversation with a baby]] using nothing but expressions in ''Film/GrossePointeBlank''.

* Some [[SilentMovie Silent Film]] stars mastered this out of necessity; e.g., Creator/HaroldLloyd, Creator/CharlieChaplin, etc. The last scene of ''Film/CityLights'', in which a whole mix of emotions play out on Charlie's face when he meets the flower girl again--joy, relief, shame, fear--is a master class in this trope.
* Those who, for whatever strange reason, doubt the incredible acting abilities of James Earl Jones should take note of an early scene in ''Film/ConanTheBarbarian1982'' where Jones as Thulsa Doom uses nothing but [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huTKdSZMRPg the power of his eyes and face]] to (quite convincingly) trick Conan's mother into [[YouSaidYouWouldLetThemGo thinking he's going to let her go.]]
* In ''Film/AnimalHouse'', a lot of Bluto Blutarsky's "dialogue" is this.
* ''Film/GoneInSixtySeconds2000'' features one character, called "The Sphinx" by the other characters, making a ''phone call'' and using nothing but Facial Dialogue to do so. On the other end of the conversation, [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome Memphis can't tell if anyone is actually on the line]] and asks Sphinx to [[OnceForYesTwiceForNo hit a button on the phone to indicate if he's there]].

* In the teaser trailers (and posters for that matter) released for ''Film/TheHungerGamesMockingjay'' Peeta doesn't speak a word, yet his face conveys [[spoiler:that the hijacking is well in progress]].

* In the climax of ''Film/WonderWoman2017'', while Steve Trevor has no significant dialogue after getting aboard the plane, Chris Pine conveys the conflict of [[spoiler: a visibly terrified Steve psyching himself up to [[HeroicSacrifice blow up the bomb-laden plane while on board]]]] entirely through facial expressions.
* Hilariously subverted in ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl''. Jack tries to subtly get Gibbs to look at Will using facial dialogue. When that fails, his subsequent attempts become comically more overt while Gibbs remains oblivious.
* Done to very powerful effect in ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'' to explain Drax's backstory and the pain he feels over his family [[DarkAndTroubledPast being killed by Ronan the Accuser and Thanos.]] Even if you haven't seen the first movie, his backstory is immediately made clear [[ShowDontTell without any words at all]], when [[TheEmpath Mantis uses her powers to sense what he's feeling]] and immediately breaks down in tears, while Drax stares beatifically into the middle distance.
* In ''Film/BladeRunner'', Roy and Priss share their confidences and opinions about J.F. Sebastian using a few seconds of eye contact.

* Used to beautiful effect in ''Film/TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly'', particularly in the MexicanStandoff where an exchange of glances between Blondie and Tuco shows us that [[spoiler:they agree to both shoot Angel Eyes]].
* Ryan Gosling uses this a lot in ''Film/BladeRunner2049'', appropriately since [[spoiler: his character is a Replicant]]. A particularly good example comes in his "conversation" with the giant pink hologram Joi. He never says a word during the scene, but his silent, stone-faced reaction to the advertisement woman [[spoiler: calling him by the pet name his own "unique" copy of Joi used for him solidifies his desire to be [[GrowBeyondTheirProgramming more than just a machine]], a desire he acts on by flying out to rescue Rick Deckard from [[BigBad Wallace]]'s men.]]
* Mathilda May's character in ''Film/{{Lifeforce}}'' is a mostly silent (and [[EvilIsSexy always]] [[MsFanService unclothed]]) [[OurVampiresAreDifferent space vampire]]. Many of her interactions with her intended victims are entirely done via facial expressions, the best examples being during the sequences where she escapes from the Research Center at the beginning of the movie: a devilish smirk when she spots a soon-to-be-a-shrivelled-corpse guard, a dismissive glance when she encounters the rest of the security forces in her way out that soon morphs into a sadistic grin ''and'' a death glare as she blasts them away without a second thought, just to name a few.
* Invoked in ''Film/FallenAngels'' where He Qiwu communicates largely through his facial expressions because he's mute. He acknowledges that while he isn't sure that he's able to say everything, especially to Charlie, he gets the feeling that he's generally understood.
* ''Film/SexLiesAndVideotape'': When Ann cleans her (and John's) bedroom, and finds her sister Cynthia's lost earring, her expression goes slowly from puzzlement, to [[SiblingTriangle realization]], to fury. (Creator/AndieMacDowell is brilliant.)

* In ''Film/ThorRagnarok'' [[spoiler:when Thor and Loki come after Odin,]] Loki suddenly resorts to being TheQuietOne. [[spoiler:The only word he says from the moment he falls through the portal to the moment of Hela's arrival is "brother" after their father's death. Be it the looks of surprise and pained recognition when Odin welcomes his sons and later says that he loves them both, slightly shaking his head to tell "this isn't me" when asked to lift his magic, the "I don't know" look when Thor silently inquires about Hela, or the MeaningfulLook between Loki and Thor when they decide to put aside their differences once their sister shows up,]] -- his reactions are conveyed via facial expressions alone.

* ''Film/TheBlackHole''. V.I.N.CENT. can do this despite being a TinCanRobot with mock eyes, by raising (indicating surprise or pain) and lowering (usually OhCrap) his top cover.

* Creator/IsaacAsimov's "Literature/SearchByTheMule": The members of the Second Foundation have the ability to [[EmotionControl telepathically detect and alter emotions]] within line-of-sight, but can't actually read minds. Nevertheless, they are all so thoroughly acquainted with one another's minds that they can have entire conversations based solely on facial expressions and body language, so saying more than an occasional syllable is considered superfluous. The Mule is also able to participate in this style of discussion, which occurs at the climax.

* The little girls in Creator/ZilphaKeatleySnyder's novels often give each other communicative looks, demonstrating the almost-ESP said girls experience when together. Ivy and Martha do this a few times in ''Literature/TheChangeling'', usually over the real-world confirmation of an element in their imaginary games. In ''Literature/TheEgyptGame'', April and Melanie look at each other this way when something strikes them as particularly appropriate for Egypt. Toby grouses that it's "like they have Siamese brains or something". When Pomma and Teera in the ''Literature/GreenSkyTrilogy'' do this, sometimes they actually are communicating telepathically.
* ''Literature/TortallUniverse'': Aly and Dove manage to hold an entire conversation like this in ''[[Literature/TrickstersDuet Trickster's Queen]]''. (Apparently, it's a hereditary trait, as in the previous book Aly notes how Dove's father and stepmother are able to hold a conversation purely by facial expression. She considers it a sign of a good marriage.)
-->''Word of the arrests reached Balitang House in the early evening. Dove, furious, came flying into the workroom as Aly met with her pack. Aly smiled at her young mistress as sweetly as she knew how. They understood each other. Dove did not need to ask if Aly had known about the arrests. Aly did not need to tell her that she had the matter in hand. The girl turned and walked out again.''
* In one segment of ''Literature/WorldWarZ'', a mercenary discusses with the author how he met a celebutante's dog and they shot each other looks in the middle of a firefight that conveyed the message, "What about your master?" with the reply being, "What about yours?", and the final reply "Fuck 'em".

* Simon Tam did this a lot in ''Series/{{Firefly}}'', particularly with his sister. It's probably genetic. After Simon's ''very'' awesome moment in the operating room in "Ariel", River gives Jayne this ''very'' glowing smile that all but says "''[[BigBrotherWorship That's]]'' [[BigBrotherWorship my brother!]]"
** See also the entries for ''Film/{{Serenity}}'', where River gets a few more.

--->''(Raises eyes from his book and glances over Sam and Gilly)'' [What the hell is this?]\\
''(A slight head tilt when Sam expects him to reach for the letter)'' [Yeah, big guy, not happening.]\\
''(Gives Sam a look over after reading the letter)'' [You're kidding me, right?]\\
''(A side glance to Gilly with a baby)'' [And they feature in your story... how?]\\
''(After Sam tries to win him over with his best charmer smile and deep existential observation, the Maester gives him a long look, tightens jaw, briefly closes eyes)'' [Bloody hell, this is for real, why did it have to be me, alright, might as well get on with it.]

* ''Series/{{Rome}}''
** In the pilot episode, Caesar's standard is stolen and he gives Brutus a DespairSpeech about how his soldiers are now on the verge of mutiny because it's a PortentOfDoom. When Brutus looks away from him however, we see Caesar cast a look in Brutus' direction that shows he's just been shooting a line (Caesar knows Brutus will relate this tale to his enemy Pompey, who will become overconfident thinking Caesar doesn't have the backing of his troops).
** In the same episode, Vorenus orders some crucified prisoners to be taken down after one of them talks immediately. In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, a soldier rolls his eyes as if to say, ''But we just put them up!''

* Shows up in [[https://somethingpositive.net/comic/in-memory-pt-4/ this]] strip of ''Webcomic/SomethingPositive''.
* Webcomic/{{Nodwick}} has apparently gotten so good at this that he can send fairly complex messages to Piffany from a distance based on how he grimaces.
* Used extensively in ''Webcomic/TheBullysBully'' because it's a textless webcomic.

EyeTake, AsideGlance, FascinatingEyebrow, and SecretMessageWink may be used as part of the Facial Dialogue, but by themselves are only limited versions. Often the forte of TheSilentBob, TheVoiceless, the SilentSnarker, and TheQuietOne. Often featured in a NoDialogueEpisode. It is just as often used by characters who are perfectly capable of speaking, but just don't on this occasion, but in that case, you should consider whether or not it qualifies instead as a MeaningfulLook.

Facial Dialogue occurs when a character is communicating not just his emotional reactions or intense feelings, but entire reams of dialogue using nothing more than their facial expressions and without saying a single word. When two characters do this to each other, it results in entire paragraphs of byplay, all perfectly understandable to the audience despite the entire exchange being silent.

* ''Series/{{Rome}}''. In the pilot episode, Caesar's standard is stolen and he gives Brutus a DespairSpeech about how his soldiers are now on the verge of mutiny because it's a PortentOfDoom. When Brutus looks away from him however, we see Caesar cast a look in Brutus' direction that shows he's just been shooting a line (Caesar knows Brutus will relate this tale to his enemy Pompey, who will become overconfident thinking Caesar doesn't have the backing of his troops).