The Night of the Hunter

AFI's synopsis links the outburst to John's memory of his father Ben's arrest. Before that earlier arrest, Ben makes John and Pearl promise to keep the stolen money's hiding place secret. John sees the police take Ben away.

Later, when officers arrest Powell, John hits him with Pearl's doll while the arrested man lies on the ground. The doll breaks open and the cash spills out. John begs his father to take the money back; AFI describes a child who can no longer bear the strain.

On another viewing, return to Ben's demand for secrecy. It gives the money a place in John's relationship with his father, beyond its value to Powell. That connection helps explain the outburst without treating it as proof that John has begun to trust or forgive Powell.