thesis for movie example

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Film Writing: Sample Analysis

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Introductory Note

The analysis below discusses the opening moments of the science fiction movie Ex Machina in order to make an argument about the film's underlying purpose. The text of the analysis is formatted normally. Editor's commentary, which will occasionally interrupt the piece to discuss the author's rhetorical strategies, is written in brackets in an italic font with a bold "Ed.:" identifier. See the examples below:

The text of the analysis looks like this.

[ Ed.: The editor's commentary looks like this. ]

Frustrated Communication in Ex Machina ’s Opening Sequence

Alex Garland’s 2015 science fiction film Ex Machina follows a young programmer’s attempts to determine whether or not an android possesses a consciousness complicated enough to pass as human. The film is celebrated for its thought-provoking depiction of the anxiety over whether a nonhuman entity could mimic or exceed human abilities, but analyzing the early sections of the film, before artificial intelligence is even introduced, reveals a compelling examination of humans’ inability to articulate their thoughts and feelings. In its opening sequence, Ex Machina establishes that it’s not only about the difficulty of creating a machine that can effectively talk to humans, but about human beings who struggle to find ways to communicate with each other in an increasingly digital world.

[ Ed.: The piece's opening introduces the film with a plot summary that doesn't give away too much and a brief summary of the critical conversation that has centered around the film. Then, however, it deviates from this conversation by suggesting that Ex Machina has things to say about humanity before non-human characters even appear. Off to a great start. ]

The film’s first establishing shots set the action in a busy modern office. A woman sits at a computer, absorbed in her screen. The camera looks at her through a glass wall, one of many in the shot. The reflections of passersby reflected in the glass and the workspace’s dim blue light make it difficult to determine how many rooms are depicted. The camera cuts to a few different young men typing on their phones, their bodies partially concealed both by people walking between them and the camera and by the stylized modern furniture that surrounds them. The fourth shot peeks over a computer monitor at a blonde man working with headphones in. A slight zoom toward his face suggests that this is an important character, and the cut to a point-of-view shot looking at his computer screen confirms this. We later learn that this is Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson), a young programmer whose perspective the film follows.

The rest of the sequence cuts between shots from Caleb’s P.O.V. and reaction shots of his face, as he receives and processes the news that he has won first prize in a staff competition. Shocked, Caleb dives for his cellphone and texts several people the news. Several people immediately respond with congratulatory messages, and after a moment the woman from the opening shot runs in to give him a hug. At this point, the other people in the room look up, smile, and start clapping, while Caleb smiles disbelievingly—perhaps even anxiously—and the camera subtly zooms in a bit closer. Throughout the entire sequence, there is no sound other than ambient electronic music that gets slightly louder and more textured as the sequence progresses. A jump cut to an aerial view of a glacial landscape ends the sequence and indicates that Caleb is very quickly transported into a very unfamiliar setting, implying that he will have difficulty adjusting to this sudden change in circumstances.

[ Ed.: These paragraphs are mostly descriptive. They give readers the information they will need to understand the argument the piece is about to offer. While passages like this can risk becoming boring if they dwell on unimportant details, the author wisely limits herself to two paragraphs and maintains a driving pace through her prose style choices (like an almost exclusive reliance on active verbs). ]

Without any audible dialogue or traditional expository setup of the main characters, this opening sequence sets viewers up to make sense of Ex Machina ’s visual style and its exploration of the ways that technology can both enhance and limit human communication. The choice to make the dialogue inaudible suggests that in-person conversations have no significance. Human-to-human conversations are most productive in this sequence when they are mediated by technology. Caleb’s first response when he hears his good news is to text his friends rather than tell the people sitting around him, and he makes no move to take his headphones out when the in-person celebration finally breaks out. Everyone in the building is on their phones, looking at screens, or has headphones in, and the camera is looking at screens through Caleb’s viewpoint for at least half of the sequence.

Rather than simply muting the specific conversations that Caleb has with his coworkers, the ambient soundtrack replaces all the noise that a crowded building in the middle of a workday would ordinarily have. This silence sets the uneasy tone that characterizes the rest of the film, which is as much a horror-thriller as a piece of science fiction. Viewers get the sense that all the sounds that humans make as they walk around and talk to each other are being intentionally filtered out by some presence, replaced with a quiet electronic beat that marks the pacing of the sequence, slowly building to a faster tempo. Perhaps the sound of people is irrelevant: only the visual data matters here. Silence is frequently used in the rest of the film as a source of tension, with viewers acutely aware that it could be broken at any moment. Part of the horror of the research bunker, which will soon become the film’s primary setting, is its silence, particularly during sequences of Caleb sneaking into restricted areas and being startled by a sudden noise.

The visual style of this opening sequence reinforces the eeriness of the muted humans and electronic soundtrack. Prominent use of shallow focus to depict a workspace that is constructed out of glass doors and walls makes it difficult to discern how large the space really is. The viewer is thus spatially disoriented in each new setting. This layering of glass and mirrors, doubling some images and obscuring others, is used later in the film when Caleb meets the artificial being Ava (Alicia Vikander), who is not allowed to leave her glass-walled living quarters in the research bunker. The similarity of these spaces visually reinforces the film’s late revelation that Caleb has been manipulated by Nathan Bates (Oscar Isaac), the troubled genius who creates Ava.

[ Ed.: In these paragraphs, the author cites the information about the scene she's provided to make her argument. Because she's already teased the argument in the introduction and provided an account of her evidence, it doesn't strike us as unreasonable or far-fetched here. Instead, it appears that we've naturally arrived at the same incisive, fascinating points that she has. ]

A few other shots in the opening sequence more explicitly hint that Caleb is already under Nathan’s control before he ever arrives at the bunker. Shortly after the P.O.V shot of Caleb reading the email notification that he won the prize, we cut to a few other P.O.V. shots, this time from the perspective of cameras in Caleb’s phone and desktop computer. These cameras are not just looking at Caleb, but appear to be scanning him, as the screen flashes in different color lenses and small points appear around Caleb’s mouth, eyes, and nostrils, tracking the smallest expressions that cross his face. These small details indicate that Caleb is more a part of this digital space than he realizes, and also foreshadow the later revelation that Nathan is actively using data collected by computers and webcams to manipulate Caleb and others. The shots from the cameras’ perspectives also make use of a subtle fisheye lens, suggesting both the wide scope of Nathan’s surveillance capacities and the slightly distorted worldview that motivates this unethical activity.

[ Ed.: This paragraph uses additional details to reinforce the piece's main argument. While this move may not be as essential as the one in the preceding paragraphs, it does help create the impression that the author is noticing deliberate patterns in the film's cinematography, rather than picking out isolated coincidences to make her points. ]

Taken together, the details of Ex Machina ’s stylized opening sequence lay the groundwork for the film’s long exploration of the relationship between human communication and technology. The sequence, and the film, ultimately suggests that we need to develop and use new technologies thoughtfully, or else the thing that makes us most human—our ability to connect through language—might be destroyed by our innovations. All of the aural and visual cues in the opening sequence establish a world in which humans are utterly reliant on technology and yet totally unaware of the nefarious uses to which a brilliant but unethical person could put it.

Author's Note: Thanks to my literature students whose in-class contributions sharpened my thinking on this scene .

[ Ed.: The piece concludes by tying the main themes of the opening sequence to those of the entire film. In doing this, the conclusion makes an argument for the essay's own relevance: we need to pay attention to the essay's points so that we can achieve a rich understanding of the movie. The piece's final sentence makes a chilling final impression by alluding to the danger that might loom if we do not understand the movie. This is the only the place in the piece where the author explicitly references how badly we might be hurt by ignorance, and it's all the more powerful for this solitary quality. A pithy, charming note follows, acknowledging that the author's work was informed by others' input (as most good writing is). Beautifully done. ]

How to Write a Film Analysis Essay – Step by Step

So, your assignment is to watch a movie and analyze it in an essay. Great!

I’m Tutor Phil, and in this tutorial I’ll show you how to write a film analysis.

In short, to write a film analysis means to:

Identify the elements of the film
Identify the relationships among those elements
Form an argument about your findings
Support your argument using evidence

If this task seems daunting, don’t worry – it is actually fun once you know exactly what to do.

So, let’s dive right in. Here are…

7 Steps to Writing a Film Analysis Essay

Step 1. Watch the movie while taking notes

If you already saw the film you need to analyze, you’ll probably need to watch it again, this time taking some notes.

Why is note taking important? Well, to analyze really means to break something into parts and to discuss relationships among them.

And to identify parts (or elements) of a movie, you need to watch it while paying attention to details and writing down your observations.

Taking notes will allow you to do several things:

Identify some of the elements of the film so you have something to discuss
Uncover details you would otherwise miss
Make connections between ideas
Get some raw content you can readily use in your essay

How to take notes

Here’s a tip on how to do it most efficiently. Play the movie on one device while taking notes on another.

For example, play the movie on your TV or iPad, and take notes on your laptop. This way, you can pause the movie and make a note without switching apps on your laptop.

What to look for

When watching the movie, you are looking for elements that it is made up of. You can simply start a bulleted list with a timeline and some of the things you observe.

Importantly, you usually don’t want to simply describe every event of the film. You need some kind of a theme or motif to focus on because otherwise you’ll simply write a synopsis if the movie.

But you want some useful notes. Here’s how to choose what to focus on.

First, your assignment should determine your focus. For example, if your instructor wants you to write about a particular character, then pay special attention to that character.

If your assignment includes more details, that’s even better. Maybe you have to pick a character and write about her love life or her relationship with her mother.

Great – that will help you narrow down your focus.

Second, you can choose your own theme to focus on. If your assignment is very general, don’t worry – just pick your own character, theme, or something in the movie you want to write about.

In this case, if you’ve already seen the film, just think back and choose something to focus your analysis on.

Third, you can simply analyze the entire film. In this case, your task is to identify the overall message of the film and how its elements help deliver this message.

Each of these ways to approach writing a film analysis essay works great. And the steps you learn here will help you whatever approach you choose.

Example of note-taking

Let me give you an example. Recently, I had to write about one particular character in a movie. I also had to discuss the mental health of the character. So, I paid special attention to anything that had to do with mental health.

I chose the movie The Hours based on Michael Cunningham’s book of the same title. And by the way, let’s use this film from now on as an example to illustrate our seven steps to writing a film analysis.

This movie follows three women at different periods of the twentieth century. One of them is Virginia Woolf, based on the real-life writer of the same name.

Since my task was to write about her, I took notes primarily related to her. But I also noted relevant elements in other parts of the film.

Note that I time-stamped the events that happen on the screen. This would help me orient myself in the story when I later read my notes.

This can also help you use quotations from the film because in some citation styles you are required to provide exact time stamps for the dialogue lines.

Here is a sample of the notes that I took while watching the movie:

00:00 – 3:30 Very compulsive behavior. Frantically dressing up.

“I feel that I’m going mad again.”

08:35 – ~11:00 “How was your sleep?” “Uneventful. No headache. I believe I may have the first sentence.”

“Always giving parties to cover the silence.” – Ed Harris. ~22:00

27:44 – 31:50 “Her fate becomes clear to her.”

Makes demands on her cook. Being kind of rude.

43:20 Doesn’t comply with doctors. Depressed all the time. Lies down by the dead bird, as if wanting to join it.

01:05:45 Talking to herself, mumbling, in the presence of others – sister, nephews, niece.

-What were you thinking about?

-I was going to kill my heroine but I changed my mind.

01:08:05 “I’m afraid I might have to kill someone else instead.”

Your notes don’t have to consist of perfect sentences. You can jot down sentence fragments, phrases, or even just words.

But complete sentences, or at least sentence fragments, will help you understand what you were thinking when taking the note. A sentence will tell you more than a word or a phrase.

Write down some important dialogue verbatim. You can later use these quotations in your essay.

Elements to look for

Let’s explore what kinds of elements you can look for while watching the movie. Cinema is an amazing medium that combines a multitude of things to talk about.

A film can contain everything a novel can. And in addition, it has visuals and sound. So, it’s very rich. Let’s divide the elements into two categories – literary and cinematic.

Literary elements

Story (the beginning, middle, and end)
Plot (how events are arranged in time and space)
Setting (where and when the action takes place)
Characterization (characters and their unique qualities)
Themes (recurring elements that link things together by topic)
Message (the point, the argument, if you will, of the movie)
Dialogue (what characters say)
Symbols (concrete visual or auditory bits that stand for abstract ideas)
Contrast (highlighting differences)

Cinematic elements

Sound (music, noises, or the use of silence)
Lighting (how light is used to convey or emphasize ideas)
Camera angles (positioning of the camera when shooting a scene)
Editing (putting different shots together in a sequence)
Mise-en-scene (everything you see on the screen)
Casting (the choice of actors)
Acting (the art of playing a character)

If you’re a film or literature student, many of these elements will sound familiar to you. But even if you’re not, you don’t have to know much about all or even most of these to write a great film analysis.

All you need is a few good elements that will serve as ideas to organize and develop your paper. And you are probably already familiar with some of them, such as story and characters, for example.

As you watch the movie and take notes, keep these elements somewhere in your document so you could check in with the list at any time.

Step 2. Make some connections among the elements

If you really want to do well on this paper, you might want to watch the movie one more time after you’ve taken your initial notes. This time, you’ll be making connections using these elements.

You can do this step from memory and your initial set of notes, but if you do it while watching the film one more time, your paper will be a lot stronger. And the writing part will be easier.

As you watch the film, especially for the second and maybe even a third time, you’ll notice patterns.

You’ll begin to see how different elements are connected by themes and other unifying elements.

Here are examples of how different and seemingly distant elements can be connected in a movie:

Thematic connection

Two or more characters have the same pattern of behavior. They may not know each other or may even live on different continents or in different time periods. But they both feel stuck in their marriages, for example.

Connection through dialogue

Two or more characters who, again, seem completely unrelated say the same things. Or, one character says something, and another picks it up or answers it in the next scene or shot.

Connection through mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene is all the visual elements on the screen. A recurring visual can link different elements, such as characters, together.

For example, a character can have a red rose in her hand. Another character, in a different time and space, can also have a red rose in her hand. This is a director’s way of saying: “Pay attention and look for connections between these characters.”

Musical connection

The same music can play in different scenes. Or, the same tune can be played in a major, happy key in one scene but in a minor, sad key in another. Or, a short motive can be repeated at pertinent moments in the film.

Movie writers and directors make all kinds of other connections in their films. If you watch the movie more than once while being consciously aware of the possibilities, you’ll notice things.

You can choose any types of connections you want. If your instructor wants you to be specific and use cinematography and dialogue, for example, then use these two categories.

But if you identify some nice connections in other categories, put them in your notes, too. You’ll use them as supporting ideas in your essay.

Example of making connections

Let me give you an example of how I used elements of film to make some connections for that film analysis I worked on.

Note that I’m using only four categories of these elements because to discuss more of them would only make the essay get out of hand. It’s better to focus on a few. Make sure it’s no fewer than two, and preferably three or four.

The first one or two can be the main ones, and the rest can be used as supporting ideas (more on this later).

To make better sense of the example below, keep in mind that the movie The Hours follows three women in different times and places.

I used letters V, L, and C as acronyms of their first names, because it’s faster and easier that way.

Here is a sample of connections (as brief notes)

Homosexuality and bisexuality.
Around 42:00 – L kisses her neighbor Kitty. Later, V kisses her sister Vanessa. Both women are not only stuck in their situations – they are also stuck in the closet.
C is also stuck, according to her own words.
V tries to write a novel. L tries to bake a cake. C tries to throw a party. Each one is frustrated.
But there is a progression from V-L-C. V never succeeds. L fails at first attempt but succeeds with the second one. C makes everything ready, but the party never happens through no fault of her own.
Also, trying to run away. V fails. L succeeds. So does Louis in modern times.
C says at one point, “From then on I’ve been stuck.” It seems she’s stuck in bisexuality.
When L drops off her son, it’s with Mrs. Latch (note the name). A latch is a fastening or binding device.
Louis Waters says, “The day I left him, I got on a train and made my way across Europe. I felt free for the first time in years.”
V succeeds on the third attempt. L contemplates it but changes her mind. C never attempts. But Richard succeeds.
13:54 – (1951) L’s son asks to help with the cake. L: “Of course you can, sweet pea. I’m not gonna do anything without you.” Cuts to 2001 New York: C: “No, of course!”
It’s as if the director is being sarcastic: “Yeah, sure. Of course I’m not gonna do anything without you.”
L eventually abandons her family, including her son. So, this juxtaposition seems sarcastic and acts as foreshadowing.

Mise-en-scene (visual elements)

Each of two women, V and L, is alone in a bed; one is in bed with a partner.
L is particularly emphasized as alone with an empty half bed – happens again later in the film.
The light is pouring in from outside, but the room is dark. She is isolated by the window frame. Isolated from everything in the home, including her son.
Later, around 17:30, her son will be alone in a very dark apartment: “I needed to let in some light.” Maybe light is associated with freedom.
V depressed, even disturbed
L wondering what the day will bring
C excited about the upcoming day.
There seems to be a progression from worse to better in V-L-C.

When you actively look for connections, you’ll make many of them. In this step, you’re not thinking deeply about them. You’re just noticing things and jotting them down.

The main thinking is done in the next step.

Step 3. Formulate your main argument

Now that you have your elements and you’ve perceived some relationships among them, it’s time to formulate your thesis.

A thesis is the main point of your essay. This step is the most important because this is where you take a stand.

This is also a creative step. You’re essentially making a decision about what to say about this movie or an aspect of the movie.

Here’s a short video I created, explaining what a thesis is:

Read back through your notes

Read through the initial notes you took and the connections that you’ve made.

What stands out to you as the most important, the most general and overarching idea that is probably the main one?

Make your thesis about this idea. And the rest of the elements or ideas will act as supporting points (we’ll add them in the next step).

Choose the subject

Let’s choose what to write about – our subject – in our sample film analysis. We have four categories of elements in which we’ve made notes and connections:

Mise-en-scene

Just by looking at this list and reading through the connections made, it is easy to notice:

One or more of the themes are dominant, and the rest is supportive. Therefore, our main point should probably be about a theme .

Again, if your instructor has given you a specific subject to focus on, then that’s what your thesis will be about.

In this example, let’s assume that we must simply write a film analysis, and we’re free to choose what to write about.

So, we’ll pick one of the themes, take a stand on it, and formulate our thesis based on it. Let’s look at the themes we’ve picked out again:

Repressed sexuality
Frustration
Being stuck
Seeking freedom

Which of these is the dominant one? Which one is all-encompassing? Which one includes some of the others?

These are some of the questions we might ask to pick the main subject for our essay. Let’s arrange these themes in the order of more general to more specific:

Why is being stuck the most general and all-encompassing theme? That’s because it seems that the rest of the themes are either the signs or the effects of it.

Repressed sexuality and frustration in trying to accomplish things and failing are signs, examples, or manifestations of being stuck.

It is only possible to seek freedom if you feel stuck. And suicide, at least in this film, is a result of being stuck and seeing no way out.

This tells us that being stuck as a theme is the best candidate for our thesis. In other words, this essay will be about the theme of being stuck in the film The Hours .

Formulate the thesis

At this point, we have everything we need to formulate our thesis, our main point that we’ll be supporting in the essay. Let’s do it:

“In the film The Hours, the feeling of being stuck in terms of their sexualities and life situations plagues the main characters. And the earlier in the century the action takes place, the more disastrous the consequences of them feeling stuck.”

What’s going on in this thesis?

First, we have two sentences because this film analysis is kind of complex. It is possible to write out the main point in only one sentence, but then it would be too long and complicated.

Second, note that we have all the main elements either explicitly or implicitly present in this statement. In other words, this thesis summarizes our entire essay perfectly.

It contains the themes of:

Being stuck (which is our main subject)
Sexuality (one supporting idea)
Seeking freedom (from an unwanted life situation)
Sucide (a disastrous consequence)

In other words, it’s all there in the thesis. And we’ll unpack these concepts more in the next two steps.

Step 4. Write the introductory paragraph

The introductory paragraph consists of three parts:

An introductory sentence
The thesis (main point)
The supporting points

Here is a diagram of how it is organized:

We already have one of these parts, which is the thesis (part 2). Now, all we need is the introductory sentence and the supporting points.

Let’s put together our supporting points – the crucial part of a thesis statement. A full thesis statement always includes the main point and the supporting ideas. And then we’ll write out the complete introductory paragraph.

Keep in mind that each of our supporting points will correspond to a section of our essay. And I always recommend using the Power of Three to organize a paper.

Three is a great number to divide one idea into many. Note that writing an essay on any topic is very much a matter of dividing big topics into subtopics.

What three supporting points or sections can we have in this essay? Well, luckly, it just so happens that the film The Hours centers around three main characters set in different time periods and places.

This makes a perfect division into three parts. Now, your movie may not have such a clear division, and in that case you’ll need to come up with three supporting ideas creatively.

For example, you could discuss the feeling or predicament if being stuck in terms of these concepts:

And your essay would have three main sections. Each section would be devoted to being stuck in a particular sense.

In our essay, the three women are:

Virginia Woolf (1923)
Laura Brown (1951)
Clarissa Vaughan (2001)

From our thesis, we know two things:

They all share the feeling of being stuck, in similar ways
There is a progression from past to present in how it affects them

So, now, let’s write out the complete thesis statement. Note that we’re also including the introductory sentence, whose function is to pull the reader into the subject matter of the essay.

Our film analysis thesis statement example

“Through the power of narrative and visual elements, cinema allows the viewer a glimpse into worlds she otherwise could not know, revealing difficulties people have faced throughout history. In the film The Hours, the feeling of being stuck in terms of their sexualities and life situations plagues the main characters. And the earlier in the century the action takes place, the more disastrous the consequences of them feeling stuck. Virginia Woolf, set in 1923, is in the worst situation because while she suffers from repressed homosexuality and hates living in the country, it is next to impossible for her to find a viable way out. Laura Brown, set in 1951, is also a closet lesbian and lives a small-town family life she despises. But she eventually finds a way to liberate herself. Finally, Clarissa Vaughn, set in 2001, is stuck in her bisexuality. But her life situation, while challenging, is otherwise better than those of the other two characters.”

Step 5. Outline the essay

The thesis statement that we just put together also acts as our big-picture outline. Let’s see how our essay will be organized, in terms of the main sections:

Notice that this big-picture outline is dictated completely by our thesis statement. This is why a great, detailed thesis statement is so important.

Fulfilling the word count requirement

Your film analysis essay assignment may have a specific word or page count requirement. Let me give you an example of this film analysis outline with a breakdown of words per section and subsection.

Let’s say you need to write a 2,000-word paper. Well, right now our introductory paragraph contains about 150 words. Here is how we could distribute words to meet that word count requirement.

Outline with word count distribution

Introductory paragraph (150 words)
Sexuality ( 300 words )
Life situation ( 300 words )
Conclusion (100 words)

If you add up all the sections and subsections, you’ll get 2,050, which is about our desired word count.

If you need to write 5,000 words, then distribute your words accordingly. You’ll have about 250 words per introduction and conclusion, which will leave you with 4,500 words for the body of the essay.

That will be 1,500 words per main section. Divide each main section into three subsections using the Power of Three, and you have 500 words per subsection.

It’s very helpful to know how to distribute your words because that allows you to map out how much you’re writing in each section and paragraph.

Step 6. Write the body of the essay

The body of a film analysis essay consists of sections, and each section consists of one or more paragraphs.

So, your main building block in the body of the essay is the body paragraph. Here is how a body paragraph is structured:

The first sentence is the so-called lead sentence. It must summarize the contents of the paragraph succinctly and perfectly.

An explanation is where you have a chance to provide any reasoning or describe a process.

And examples are the most specific parts of any paragraph or essay. They are the most fun to write and to read.

Let’s write a body paragraph to illustrate exactly how such a building block works in a movie analysis.

Our example is about Virginia Woolf. It belongs in Section 1, subsection 1 – about being stuck with repressed homosexuality.

Note that this subsection can have more than one paragraph. This will be one of the paragraphs in this section.

Film analysis body paragraph example

“Virginia feels stuck in her personal life as if in a prison because of her repressed sexuality. She appears to be a closet homosexual, which is a difficult predicament to endure in the early 20th century England. Homosexuality was looked down upon, and a woman had to be married to a man, regardless of her innate sexual preferences. She lives with her husband who takes care of her and clearly loves her. However, when her sister Vanessa comes to visit, at the end of the visit, Virginia gives her a long, passionate kiss on the lips that is apparently reciprocated. The kiss is so intense that it indicates a repressed desire. Vanessa accepts it, but it is not clear whether she does so out of mutual attraction or compassion for her sister’s suffering.”

This paragraph follows the structure illustrated in the diagram.

It opens with a lead sentence which summarizes and introduces the entire contents of the paragraph perfectly. It is also the most general statement of the essay.

Next comes the explanation. We explain why we think that Virginia has a problem. The time period she lives in makes it difficult to be a sexual minority.

Finally, we provide an example – the most specific kind of evidence in an essay. It is an example of a kiss, with a description and implications.

To complete the body of the essay, we would need to build it out by writing one paragraph after another, following the outline and maintaining this body paragraph structure.

Note that you can also use outside sources to support your points. But first write out what you can without resorting to research. And only then go and find sources that would confirm your thinking and ideas.

Step 7. Write the conclusion

This is the final step and the easiest one. I usually advocate for concluding with a simple restatement.

All you need to do is write out the thesis statement using different words so it doesn’t come across as a mere copy.

Your conclusion can be shorter than the introductory paragraph. After all, you’ve already said it all. And now, just restate in fewer and different words. You can also add a more general statement at the very end, as a finishing touch.

And let’s do it.

“The Hours is a fascinating study of how repressed sexuality and confining life situations have affected people’s lives throughout the twentieth century. The three characters live in different times, and the earlier the period the more difficult the situation and the harder it is to endure. Virginia commits suicide because she can’t find a way out of her situation. Laura almost commits suicide but then chooses to abandon her situation, which is physically a little easier in the 1950’s. And Clarissa lives with her girlfriend. Her situation is better although she is still stuck as a bisexual. Life in 2001 is significantly better, though not devoid of challenges.”

And there you have it. Now you know exactly how to write a film analysis paper.

I hope this was helpful!

Tutor Phil is an e-learning professional who helps adult learners finish their degrees by teaching them academic writing skills.

How to Write a Movie Review Essay: Tips, Outline & Example

Writing a movie review essay is a great way to share your take on a film but it goes beyond simply summarizing the plot. Here are the steps involved in creating a thoughtful review:

Watch the movie carefully.
Look up details about the director, cast, and any historical or cultural context.
Provide a short summary to give readers a sense of the story.
Discuss the acting, direction, soundtrack, etc.
Share your perspective.
Conclude and give a recommendation.

Our article review writing service is here to guide you through each of these steps and offer you a good movie review essay sample to help you present a fair critique. And if you need further guidance, EssayHub is always available to assist with any type of schoolwork!

What Is a Movie Review Essay?

A movie review essay is a critical evaluation of a film that offers insights into its various elements. This type of essay goes beyond simply summarizing the plot; it analyzes aspects like acting, direction, cinematography, writing, and overall impact. Essentially, a movie review essay aims to inform the audience about the film and provide a thoughtful critique.

In this essay, the writer typically begins with a brief summary of the film, including key details such as the title, director, cast, and genre. Following the summary, the writer evaluates the movie by discussing its strengths and weaknesses. This includes examining character development, thematic depth, and how well the film achieves its intended purpose.

The goal is to help readers decide whether they should watch the film or not. A well-crafted essay blends personal opinion with objective analysis, making it informative and engaging for the audience. In addition to being insightful, a movie review can encourage discussion and reflection about the film’s broader themes and messages, making it a valuable addition to film criticism.

Purpose of Movie Review Essay

The purpose of a movie review essay extends beyond simply sharing an opinion. By critically analyzing a film, the writer not only refines their own understanding but also provides valuable insights for others. Here are some key purposes of a movie review essay:

Informs : It provides essential information about the film, including plot details, themes, and character arcs, helping readers understand the context.
Critiques : The review evaluates the film's strengths and weaknesses, guiding readers in their viewing choices.
Engages : It fosters discussion by presenting unique perspectives and interpretations, inviting readers to think critically about the film.
Educates : The essay enhances viewers’ appreciation of cinematic techniques and storytelling methods, deepening their understanding of film as an art form.
Encourages Exploration : It motivates readers to explore similar films or genres based on the reviewer's recommendations.

How to Write a Movie Review Essay?

Here are the essential steps to guide you through writing a movie review essay:

Take note of key scenes and characters.
Learn about the director, cast, and any relevant historical or cultural context.
Give a short overview of the plot without revealing spoilers.
Analyze aspects like acting, direction, and soundtrack.
Express what you liked or disliked about the film.
Summarize your thoughts and advise whether others should watch it.

Essay Movie Review Introduction

The introduction of your movie review essay outline sets the stage for your readers. Start by briefly stating the title of the film, the director, and any relevant details about the genre or release year. This helps provide context. Next, give a short summary of the film’s premise without revealing major plot twists. This should be concise, just enough to inform the reader about what to expect.

Additionally, consider mentioning your initial impressions or what you were anticipating from the film. This helps engage the reader and sets the tone for your review. Finally, end your introduction with a clear thesis statement that reflects your overall perspective on the film. This will guide the rest of your review and prepare the audience for your analysis.

Essay Movie Review Analysis

In the analysis section, start with acting . Here, you should assess the performances of the main actors and supporting cast.

Were they believable in their roles?
Did their chemistry contribute to the film’s emotional weight?

For instance, if a film features a complex relationship, analyze how well the actors portrayed that dynamic. Use specific scenes as examples to illustrate your points.

Next, turn your attention to direction . The director plays a crucial role in shaping a film's vision. Discuss how their style influences the storytelling.

Did the director’s choices enhance the film’s mood?
For example, was there effective use of close-ups to capture emotional moments?

Consider how pacing affects the overall experience, too. A well-paced film keeps viewers engaged, while a slow one might lose their interest.

Then, focus on the cinematography . This involves the visual aspects of the film, including camera angles, lighting, and composition.

How do these elements contribute to the story?
For example, did the cinematographer use light and shadow to create tension?
Or perhaps the vibrant colors helped establish a certain mood?

Provide examples that highlight these techniques and their impact on the viewer's experience.

Don’t overlook the soundtrack and sound design . Music can elevate a film, setting the tone and enhancing emotions. Discuss whether the score complemented the narrative.

Did it build suspense during intense scenes?
Were there moments when silence was more impactful?

Sound design also matters—think about how background noise or sound effects added to the atmosphere.

Throughout your analysis, be sure to weave in your personal perspective . Your unique insights are what make your review engaging. Share what resonated with you and why.

Did a particular scene move you?
Was there a moment that felt clichéd or out of place?

Use specific examples from the film to support your views, creating a rich and detailed picture for your readers.

Essay Movie Review Conclusion

The conclusion wraps up your review and reinforces your overall thoughts. Start by summarizing the key points you discussed in your analysis. This helps reinforce your arguments and reminds the reader of your perspective.

Next, provide a final assessment of the film. Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not? This is your opportunity to summarize the film's strengths and weaknesses in a few sentences.

Conclude with a thought-provoking statement or a question that leaves the reader contemplating the film’s themes or messages. A strong conclusion not only ties your review together but also encourages the audience to reflect on their own viewing experience.

To learn about writing a book review essay , see our dedicated article.

Movie Review Essay Example

In this section, we'll look at a movie review essay example to illustrate how to effectively analyze and critique a film. We’ll focus on a less commonly discussed film, The Farewell, which provides a rich narrative and cultural context for review.

Don’t miss out on our article review example in a separate blog post.

5 Helpful Tips for Writing Movie Review Essays

Knowing how to write a movie review essay can be rewarding, but having some guiding tips can make the process smoother:

Be Honest, but Fair : When expressing your opinion, aim for honesty while also being respectful. It’s okay to dislike a film, but try to back up your criticism with valid reasons. Avoid personal attacks on the filmmakers or actors; instead, focus on what didn't work for you and why.
Keep It Concise : Readers appreciate reviews that get to the point. Aim for clarity and brevity in your writing. Stick to the essential details that convey your thoughts effectively. A concise review allows readers to quickly grasp your perspective without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Use Specific Examples : To support your analysis, provide specific examples from the film. Whether you’re discussing a particular scene, a character’s development, or a striking visual, referencing moments in the film strengthens your argument and helps readers understand your points better.
Avoid Spoilers : While it’s important to discuss key elements, be cautious not to reveal major plot twists or endings. Many readers may not have seen the film yet, so keep your review engaging without giving away surprises. You can hint at themes or character arcs without ruining the experience for potential viewers.
Revise and Edit : After writing your review, take the time to revise and edit it. Look for areas where you can improve clarity or strengthen your arguments. A fresh set of eyes on your work—yours, a friend’s, or a peer’s—can help catch errors or unclear phrasing that you might have missed initially.

Here’s a quick recap of the essential steps involved in writing a movie review essay:

Watch the movie attentively.
Research details about the director, cast, and context.
Provide a brief summary of the plot.
Analyze elements like acting, direction, and soundtrack.
Share your personal perspective.
Conclude with your recommendation.

For additional assistance, consider using paper writing service EssayHub that can help with any type of essay, ensuring your writing is clear, engaging, and well-structured!

How Long Should a Movie Review Essay Be?

How to write a movie review essay example, how to start a movie review essay.

Ryan Acton is an essay-writing expert with a Ph.D. in Sociology, specializing in sociological research and historical analysis. By partnering with EssayHub, he provides comprehensive support to students, helping them craft well-informed essays across a variety of topics.