movie review genre

7.3 Glance at Genre: Criteria, Evidence, Evaluation

Learning outcomes.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Identify and define common characteristics, mediums, key terms, and features of the review genre.
Identify criteria and evidence to support reviews of different primary sources.

Reviews vary in style and content according to the subject, the writer, and the medium. The following are characteristics most frequently found in reviews:

Focused subject : The subject of the review is specific and focuses on one item or idea. For example, a review of all Marvel Cinematic Universe movies could not be contained in the scope of a single essay or published review not only because of length but also because of the differences among them. Choosing one specific item to review—a single film or single topic across films, for instance—will allow you to provide a thorough evaluation of the subject.
Judgment or evaluation: Reviewers need to deliver a clear judgment or evaluation to share with readers their thoughts on the subject and why they would or would not recommend it. An evaluation can be direct and explicit, or it can be indirect and subtle.
Specific evidence : All reviews need specific evidence to support the evaluation. Typically, this evidence comes in the form of quotations and vivid descriptions from the primary source, or subject of the review. Reviewers often use secondary sources —works about the primary source — to support their claims or provide context.
Context : Reviewers provide context, such as relevant historical or cultural background, current events, or short biographical sketches, that help readers understand both the primary source and the review.
Tone : Writers of effective reviews tend to maintain a professional, unbiased tone—attitude toward the subject. Although many reviewers try to avoid sarcasm and dismissiveness, you will find these elements present in professional reviews, especially those in which critics pan the primary source.

These are some key terms to know and use when writing a review:

Analysis : detailed examination of the parts of a whole or of the whole itself.
Connotation: implied feelings or thoughts associated with a word. Connotations can be positive or negative. Reviewers often use words with strong positive or negative connotations that support their praise or criticism. For example, a writer may refer to a small space positively as “cozy” instead of negatively as “cramped.”
Criteria : standards by which something is judged. Reviewers generally make their evaluation criteria clear by listing and explaining what they are basing their review on. Each type of primary source has its set of standards, some or all of which reviewers address.
Critics : professional reviewer who typically publishes reviews in well-known publications.
Denotation : the literal or dictionary definition of a word.
Evaluation : judgment based on analysis.
Fandom : community of admirers who follow their favorite works and discuss them online as a group.
Genre : broad category of artistic compositions that share similar characteristics such as form, subject matter, or style. For example, horror, suspense, and drama are common film and literary genres. Hip hop and reggae are common music genres.
Medium : way in which a work is created or delivered (DVD, streaming, book, vinyl, etc.). Works can appear in more than one medium.
Mode : sensory method through which a person interacts with a work. Modes include linguistic, visual, audio, spatial, and gestural.
Primary Sources : in the context of reviewing, the original work or item being reviewed, whether a film, book, performance, business, or product. In the context of research, primary sources are items of firsthand, or original, evidence, such as interviews, court records, diaries, letters, surveys, or photographs.
Recap : summary of an individual episode of a television series.
Review : genre that evaluates performances, exhibitions, works of art (books, movies, visual arts), services, and products
Secondary source: source that contains the analysis or synthesis of someone else, such as opinion pieces, newspaper and magazine articles, and academic journal articles.
Subgenre : category within a genre. For example, subgenres of drama include various types of drama: courtroom drama, historical/costume drama, and family drama.

Establishing Criteria

All reviewers and readers alike rely on evidence to support an evaluation. When you review a primary source, the evidence you use depends on the subject of your evaluation, your audience, and how your audience will use your evaluation. You will need to determine the criteria on which to base your evaluation. In some cases, you will also need to consider the genre and subgenre of your subject to determine evaluation criteria. In your review, you will need to clarify your evaluation criteria and the way in which specific evidence related to those criteria have led you to your judgment. Table 7.1 illustrates evaluation criteria in four different primary source types.


Camera quality	Author’s credentials	Writing/script	Punctuality
Battery life	Publication’s reputation	Acting	Ability to meet goals
Screen resolution	Sources cited	Special effects	Ability to work on a team
Screen size	Timeliness of research (up to date)	Sound/music	Communication skills
Durability	Relevance to subject	Directing	Professional development
Phone reception	Quality of writing	Subject	Competence in subject area

Even within the same subject, however, evaluation criteria may differ according to the genre and subgenre of the film. Audiences have different expectations for a horror movie than they do for a romantic comedy, for example. For your subject, select the evaluation criteria on the basis of your knowledge of audience expectations. Table 7.2 shows how the evaluation criteria might be different in film reviews of different genres.


Makeup	Special effects	Jokes	Script/writing
Cinematography	Stunt work	Conflict/resolution	Acting
Type of horror depicted (jump scares, gore, etc.)	Pace of story	Chemistry between main characters	Accuracy/believability of plot
Music	Relatability of “hero”	Satisfaction/happy ending	Scenery/setting/costumes

Providing Objective Evidence

You will use your established evaluation criteria to gather specific evidence to support your judgment. Remember, too, that criteria are fluid; no reviewer will always use the same criteria for all works, even those in the same genre or subgenre.

Whether or not the criteria are unique to the particular task, a reviewer must look closely at the subject and note specific details from the primary source or sources. If you are evaluating a product, look at the product specifications and evaluate product performance according to them, noting details as evidence. When evaluating a film, select either quotations from the dialogue or detailed, vivid descriptions of scenes. If you are evaluating an employee’s performance, observe the employee performing their job and take notes. These are examples of primary source evidence: raw information you have gathered and will analyze to make a judgment.

Gathering evidence is a process that requires you to look closely at your subject. If you are reviewing a film, you certainly will have to view the film several times, focusing on only one or two elements of the evaluation criteria at a time. If you are evaluating an employee, you might have to observe that employee on several occasions and in a variety of situations to gather enough evidence to complete your evaluation. If you are evaluating a written argument, you might have to reread the text several times and annotate or highlight key evidence. It is better to gather more evidence than you think you need and choose the best examples rather than try to base your evaluation on insufficient or irrelevant evidence.

Modes of Reviews

Not all reviews have to be written; sometimes a video or an audio review can be more engaging than a written review. YouTube has become a popular destination for project reviews, creating minor celebrities out of popular reviewers. However, a written review of a movie might work well because the reviewer can provide just enough information to avoid spoiling the movie, whereas some reviews require more visual interaction to understand.

Take reviewer Doug DeMuro ’s popular YouTube channel. DeMuro reviews cars—everything from sports cars to sedans to vintage cars. Car buyers need to interact with a car to want to buy it, and YouTube provides the next best thing by giving viewers an up-close look.

Technology is another popular type of review on YouTube. YouTube creators like Marques Brownlee discuss rumors about the next Apple iPhone or Samsung Galaxy and provide unboxing videos to record their reactions to the latest phones and laptops. Like DeMuro’s viewers, Brownlee’s audience can get up close to the product. Seeing a phone in Brownlee’s hands helps audience members imagine it in their hands.

On the other hand, reviews don’t always need to be about products you can touch, as Paul Lucas demonstrates on his YouTube channel “Wingin’ It!” Lucas reviews travel experiences (mainly airlines and sometimes trains), evaluating the service of airlines around the world and in various ticket classes.

What do these reviews have in common? First, they are all in the video medium. YouTube ’s medium is video; a podcast’s medium is audio. They also share a mode. YouTube ’s mode is viewing or watching; a podcast’s mode is listening.

These examples all use the genre conventions of reviews discussed in this chapter. The reviewers present a clear evaluation: should you buy this car, phone, or airline ticket? They base their evaluation on evidence that fits a set of evaluation criteria. Doug DeMuro might evaluate a family sedan on the basis of seating, trunk storage, and ride comfort. Marques Brownlee might judge a phone on the basis of battery life, design, and camera quality. Paul Lucas might grade an airline on service, schedules, and seat comfort. While the product or service being reviewed might be different, all three reviewers use similar frameworks.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/writing-guide/pages/1-unit-introduction

Authors: Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Maria Jerskey, featuring Toby Fulwiler
Publisher/website: OpenStax
Book title: Writing Guide with Handbook
Publication date: Dec 21, 2021
Location: Houston, Texas
Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/writing-guide/pages/1-unit-introduction
Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/writing-guide/pages/7-3-glance-at-genre-criteria-evidence-evaluation

© Dec 19, 2023 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

Upcoming Movies and TV shows
Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

What's the Tomatometer®?
Login/signup

Movies in theaters

Opening this week
Top box office
Coming soon to theaters
Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

Fandango at Home
Prime Video
Most popular streaming movies
What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

79% Deadpool & Wolverine Link to Deadpool & Wolverine
98% Sing Sing Link to Sing Sing
96% Dìdi Link to Dìdi

New TV Tonight

100% Batman: Caped Crusader: Season 1
88% A Good Girl's Guide to Murder: Season 1
80% Futurama: Season 12
100% Women in Blue: Season 1
-- Unstable: Season 2
-- Hotel Portofino: Season 3
-- Betrayal: The Perfect Husband: Season 2
-- Unsolved Mysteries: Season 4
-- Cowboy Cartel: Season 1

What to Watch

Netflix’s 100 Best Movies Right Now (August 2024)

100 Best Netflix Series To Watch Right Now (August 2024)

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

How to Create the Perfect M. Night Shyamalan Movie

Batman: Caped Crusader First Reviews: A Solid Throwback with Top-Notch Performances

Trending on RT
Paris in Movies
Comic-Con Trailers
Cosplay Gallery
Vote: Most Anticipated August Movie
TV Premiere Dates

From Trap to Ponyo , here are our recommendations on what to watch in theaters and at home

We break it down

Poll: Vote for Your Most Anticipated Movie of August

From all types of chilling horror to heartfelt drama, there's a lot to choose from this month

Best Movies of 2024

Deadpool & Wolverine is an irreverent romp with a surprising soft spot for a bygone era of superhero movies

Batman: Caped Crusader Reviews

A solid throwback with top-notch performances

Poll: Vote for Your Most Anticipated Show of August

This month includes a bunch of returning favorites, new options and some new familiar titles reimagined

Box Office: Deadpool & Wolverine Sets New Record

Meanwhile, Inside Out 2 becomes highest-grossing animated film ever

Best Found Footage Movies

As The Blair Witch Project turns 25, explore this list of must-see found footage films

2024 Paris Summer Olympics

Go for gold and watch now!

Most Anticipated Movies

Get tickets & watch Alien: Romulus in theaters August 16

Summer of Cinema

New & Upcoming In Theaters

WATCH AT HOME

Popular streaming movies.

A Quiet Place: Day One 87%
Deadpool 85%
Once Upon a Deadpool 56%
Wicked Little Letters 80%
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare 69%
Hit Man 95%
Land of Bad 66%
Deadpool 2 84%
Batman: Caped Crusader 100%
Star Wars: The Acolyte 80%
The Decameron 68%
Supacell 100%
Time Bandits 80%
Women in Blue 100%
Those About to Die 49%
Lady in the Lake 76%
Presumed Innocent 78%

Trailers & Videos

Josh Hartnett on Becoming Cooper in Trap

Trap , Ponyo , and more

Our recommendations on what to watch in theaters and at home

Deadpool & Wolverine

The cast shares behind the scenes exclusives

Alien: Romulus

The aliens are returning in just two weeks!

Joker: Folie à Deux

Watch the new trailer starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga

Movie & TV guides

Discover What to Watch

Best Movies of All Time

Rotten Tomatoes Podcasts

Tickets & Showtimes
Trending on RT

Best Movies/TV
Fan Favorites
Movies by Genre
TV by Genre
Past Winners

Best-Reviewed Movies by Genre 2020

Best Action & Adventure Movies 2020

February 11, 2021

Best Animated Movies 2020

February 10, 2021

Best Comedies 2020

February 8, 2021

Best Comic Book Movies 2020

February 7, 2021

Best Documentaries 2020

February 6, 2021

Best Dramas 2020

February 5, 2021

Best Horror Movies 2020

February 4, 2021

Best Kids & Family Movies 2020

February 3, 2021

Best Musicals & Music Movies 2020

February 1, 2021

Best Romance Movies 2020

January 31, 2021

Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movies 2020

January 30, 2021

Best Thrillers 2020

January 29, 2021

an image, when javascript is unavailable

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

site categories

‘bohemian rhapsody’: film review.

Rami Malek stars as Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury in 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' a biopic tracing the British rock quartet's first 15 years.

By Sheri Linden

Sheri Linden

Senior Copy Editor/Film Critic

Share on Facebook
Share to Flipboard
Send an Email
Show additional share options
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest
Share on Reddit
Share on Tumblr
Share on Whats App
Print the Article
Post a Comment

Extra incisors — that’s how a young Freddie Mercury, played with magnetism and breathtaking physicality by Rami Malek , explains his four-octave vocal range to prospective bandmates. The moment arrives early in Bohemian Rhapsody , a film that doesn’t share Mercury’s surfeit of incisors; it has none. Which is not to say this conventional, PG-13 portrait of an unconventional band offers nothing to chew on. Or that it doesn’t acknowledge the tale’s darker facets. It does, ever so lightly, all the while fervently emphasizing what’s sweet and upbeat about it. Someday another feature about Queen might go deeper. That might or might not make for a better movie. Who says every rock ‘n’ roll biopic has to wallow in Behind the Music confessionals?

The involvement of bandmembers Brian May and Roger Taylor, as consultants and executive music producers, has more than a little to do with the gentle sheen that tamps down unruly narrative possibilities. But their involvement also amps the material’s musical authenticity. To the filmmakers’ credit, and even though they don’t entirely avoid the clunky factoid-itis that often plagues the genre, this is a biopic that favors sensory experience over exposition. It understands what pure, electrifying fun rock ‘n’ roll can be.

Release date: Nov 02, 2018

THR Newsletters

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Hannah waddingham to narrate bbc animated adaptation ‘tiddler,’ airing at christmas, ‘knock at the cabin’ scribes tackling horror thriller ‘wilderness reform’ for paramount (exclusive), matt damon on teaming with casey affleck for ‘the instigators’: “43 years into this friendship, it’s just the joy of doing what we love”, britney spears biopic lands at universal with jon m. chu to direct, hollywood flashback: when prince’s ‘purple rain’ stormed the box office, how great movies get made at columbia: a directors’ tell-all.

Movie Genres Types of Movies List of Genres and Categories Featured

Scriptwriting

Ultimate Guide to Movie Genres — 90+ Genre Examples for Film & TV

Y ou’re looking for a movie genre list, maybe for inspiration, but every list you find has too broad or hyper-specific categories that it becomes overwhelming. We’ve created the perfect movie and TV genre list that will explain the various categories of film and television with their specific subgenres, and we’ll also include helpful examples for each along the way.

Watch: Movie Genres and Subgenres Explained

Subscribe for more filmmaking videos like this.

Action Genre

Animation genre, comedy genre, crime genre, drama genre, experimental genre, fantasy genre, historical genre, horror genre, romance genre, science fiction genre, thriller genre, western genre, musical genre, movie & tv genres preface, why should you learn about genre.

There are storytellers and filmmakers who live inside particular genres, and you may even hear some of them say, “I make genre movies.” This seems simple enough on the surface, but being a ‘genre storyteller’ requires you to fully understand what your specific genre means.

Let’s do a quick refresher on the overall meaning of genre:

Movie Genre Definition

What is a movie genre.

M ovie genres are stylistic categories where a particular movie can be placed based on the setting, characters, plot, mood, tone, and theme. A film's main genre category will be based on where the majority of the content lands. A sub-genre is a smaller category that fits inside a particular genre. Often this is a mixture of two separate genres. Genres and sub-genres change over time and are informed by one another.

How do you determine a movie genre?

Has the ability to generate sub-genres
Describes the style of a work of entertainment
Can be combined with other genres if needed

Genres and sub-genres can be mixed and combined until you go blue in the face (or fingers), so if you don’t see a sub-genre on this list you can combine the meanings of each respective genre to make your own.

Now that you have a better understanding of genre's definition, let’s go over each category along with their sub-genres. We’ll have popular and accurate examples that will help clear up any confusion.

Action Movie Genre List

Movies in the action genre are defined by risk and stakes. While many movies may feature an action sequence, to be appropriately categorized inside the action genre, the bulk of the content must be action-oriented, including fight scenes , stunts, car chases , and general danger.

Action Movie Supercut

Heroic bloodshed.

This action sub-genre is defined by values like duty, brotherhood, honor, redemption, and the protection of the vulnerable. It was initially created in Hong Kong cinema but has since made its way around the world. Ex. The Killer (1989), Hard Boiled (1992).

Military Action

While some movies may incorporate various military characters, settings , themes , and events, this particular sub-genre focuses on their exploits and suggests these events are entertaining rather than tragic. Some of the best Michael Bay movies come to mind. Ex. Commando (1985), G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009).

Espionage action movies are similar to military action movies in that they’re intended for excitement and entertainment rather than focusing on the political and psychological aspects of espionage. James Bond movies might be the most recognizable but there are plenty of others. Ex. Casino Royale (2006) , Mission: Impossible III (2006).

Wuxia Action

This highly specific sub-genre focuses on martial arts as both a form of excitement, but also as a chivalrous act of protection and honor. Ex. Hero (2002), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).

Disaster movies are defined by a large amount of destruction, specifically from naturally occurring events, where characters try to survive. If an alien force is the force of destruction, the film will be categorized as science fiction rather than a straight disaster movie. Ex. The Day After Tomorrow (2004) , Dante’s Peak (1997).

Movies in the adventure genre are defined by a journey, often including some form of pursuit, and can take place in any setting. Some of Steven Spielberg's best movies capture the essence of what makes this genre so exciting. Ex. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) , Lawrence of Arabia (1962).

The superhero movie is defined by characters not only with supernatural abilities but using those abilities for altruistic purposes. If the film has superpowers that are used for questionable purposes, it would be more of a supernatural thriller versus a “superhero” movie. Marvel movies have been dominating of late but they only occupy a small percentage of the best superhero movies ever made. Ex. Iron Man (2008), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014).

Types of Animation Movies

The animation genre is defined by inanimate objects being manipulated to appear as though they are living. This can be done in many different ways and can incorporate any other genre and sub-genre on this list. For more info on animation, you can dive deeper on the types of animation , the principles of animation or see our list of the best animated movies of all time.

Animation Genre and History • Subscribe on YouTube

Traditional.

Traditional animation is defined by hand-drawn and painted images that are assembled to animate a cartoon that tells a story. Ex. Robin Hood (1973), The Flight of Dragons (1982).

Stop Motion

Stop motion animation is defined by taking real objects and adjusting them frame by frame to simulate motion and emotion. Stop motion refers to the style of photography, while stop motion such as claymation and sometimes puppet animation can fall into multiple sub-genres. Ex. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), The Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) and some of the best stop motion movies of all time.

Claymation is a form of stop motion animation, except the subjects used are built specifically out of clay. Ex. Chicken Run (2000), Early Man (2018) and many of the best Rankin Bass Christmas movies .

This is where shapes are cut out and placed on top of one another to make figures and settings, all used to tell a story. Ex. South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut (1999).

Computer Generated Imagery

CGI is the most common form of modern animation, where modeling programs and software are used to animate cartoons. Ex. Shrek (2001), Rango (2011) and Pixar's incredible short films .

Puppetry animation is where puppets, including hand, stick, shadow, ventriloquist, and marionettes are used to tell a story. Ex. Team America: World Police (2004).

Live-Action

Live-action animation is where animation, of any kind, is mixed with real-life subjects to create a single world. Ex. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Space Jam (1996).

List of Comedy Film Genres

The comedy genre is defined by events that are intended to make someone laugh, no matter if the story is macabre, droll, or zany. Comedy can be found in most movies, but if the majority of the film is intended to be a comedy you may safely place it in this genre. The best comedy movies range throughout this entire spectrum of humor.

Comedy Genre Scene Supercut

Action-comedy.

The action-comedy sub-genre incorporates humorous actions within the action, using the exciting events in the story for laughs. Ex. Hot Fuzz (2007), Charlie’s Angels (2000).

Dark Comedy (Black Comedy)

Dark comedy (or Black Comedy) is defined by using attitudes and events that would normally be objectionable to set up humorous situations. Ex. Very Bad Things (1998), Fargo (1996) and more of the best dark comedy movies ever made.

Romantic Comedy

Romantic comedies (aka Rom-Coms) are defined by comedy derived from relationship frustrations that are intimate in nature. This includes any combination of gender or situation across the sexual spectrum with films that include some of the best romantic quotes ever written. Some of Woody Allen's best movies redefined the genre. Ex. Sleepless in Seattle (1993), How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003).

Buddy Comedy

A buddy comedy is defined by at least two individuals who we follow through a series of humorous events. Often their (platonic) relationship is the main source of comedy in the story. Ex. Rush Hour (1998), Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (2003).

Road Comedy

Road comedies are defined by humorous situations derived from a journey along a set path, and often feature a set of stops and characters along the way that forces the protagonist (s) further down the road. Ex. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987), Dumb and Dumber (1994).

Road Comedy Meets Slapstick

Slapstick comedy.

Slapstick comedy is defined by humor derived from physical movement, harm, or frustration that requires little to no dialogue. Ex. The Party (1968), Mouse Hunt (1997).

I’ve decided to put parody, spoof, and satire next to one another because they’re often thought to be synonyms, but truthfully they are not. A parody mocks and specifically targets a single piece of art or connected body of work. A parody is more precise, and more limited. Ex. MacGruber (2010), Spaceballs (1987).

A spoof is broader than a parody because it mocks an entire genre or collection of similar, but separate works. Where parody targets a specific piece of art or entertainment, spoofs target the entire genre. Ex. The Naked Gun ( 1988), Not Another Teen Movie (2001).

Satire movies are the broadest of the three in that it mocks overall ideas, vices, human nature, institutions, or any number of concepts that don’t necessarily have a specific connection to another piece of art.

3 Types of Satire Explained • Subscribe on YouTube

Ex. In The Loop (2009), Idiocracy (2006) or even Dr. Strangelove , just one of Stanley Kubrick's best movies .

A sitcom (situational comedy) is defined by a set group of people who must navigate through humorous situations and misunderstandings. Sitcoms in the past were very often captured using multiple cameras on a soundstage, but it is by no means required. For an inside look at how sitcoms are written, download your own copy of this Seinfeld script or the The Office pilot episode . Ex. Seinfeld (1989), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005).

Sketch Comedy

Sketch comedy is defined by a collection of separate situations, with no inherent connection to each other, and can include the use of parody, satire, spoof, and many other comedy sub-genres. Ex. Chappelle’s Show (2003), The Whitest Kids U’ Know (2006).

"Do you wanna go to war, Blake?"

Mockumentary.

Mockumentaries use the documentary format for parody, satire, or spoof. They don’t mock the format, but rather use the format to mock. Ex. This is Spinal Tap (1984), The Office (2004).

The prank genre is defined by a mixture of real-life participants who are lead through a planned event without their knowledge. The orchestrators often have a premeditated intention to coerce foolishness or error from the participant for the sake of humor or surprise. Ex. Borat (2006), Nathan For You (2013).

How to Write a Screenplay →
The Best Dark Comedy Movies →
Best Comedy Movies of All Time →

Crime Film Genre List

The crime genre deals with both sides of the criminal justice system but does not focus on legislative matters or civil suits and legal actions. The best crime movies often occupy moral gray areas where heroes and villains are much harder to define. Many of Martin Scorsese's best movies or Quentin Tarantino's movies fall within the crime genre.

How to Shoot a Shoutout • Heat vs. The Matrix

The caper sub-genre is defined by a group of criminals, often non-violent, who set out on a heist or job. A caper is often humorous and less serious in nature when compared to the other crime sub-genres. Ex. Ocean’s Eleven (2001), A Fish Called Wanda (1988).

The heist sub-genre is defined by a criminal, or group of criminals, who set out to steal something valuable, and have a more serious tone when compared to a caper story. The subjects must navigate a set of obstacles and avoid law enforcement, and often the “getaway” is incorporated. Ex. Heat (1995), The Score (2001).

A gangster story follows and explores the world of organized crime. A film may include organized crime, but if the majority of the story doesn't explore organized crime, it wouldn’t fall into this sub-genre. Ex. Goodfellas (1990), Boyz in the Hood (1991) are just some of the best gangster movies (not to be confused with the best Mafia movies ).

Cop (Police)

The cop sub-genre follows a street cop (not a detective) who deals with criminals, crime, and the overall lifestyle as an officer of the law. You might find that some lists will have cop movies and detective movies intertwined, but for our list, we’ll focus on the beat-cops. Ex. End of Watch (2012), Beverly Hills Cop (1984).

A detective story follows an investigator or set of investigators, either private or as a representative of a government, and follows the clues and revelations of a particular case, or set of cases.

The Whydunit • Not your typical detective film

The Whydunit, explained above, is a twist on the typical detective sub-genre, one that is more concerned with they "why" than the "who" like in murder mysteries. Ex. L.A. Confidential (1997), Se7en (1995).

The courtroom sub-genre requires the majority of the story to take place inside, or support the events that are connected to a court case. Ex. A Time To Kill (1996).

A procedural is defined by following the established day-to-day events of investigating, solving, and prosecuting crime. Procedurals often end in situations where law enforcement has learned a valuable lesson, but their lives may not be irrevocably changed from each particular case. Ex. Law & Order (1990), Miami Vice (1984).

Types of Drama Movie Genres

The drama genre is defined by conflict and often looks to reality rather than sensationalism. Emotions and intense situations are the focus, but where other genres might use unique or exciting moments to create a feeling, movies in the drama genre focus on common occurrences. Drama is a very broad category and untethered to any era — from movies based on Shakespeare to contemporary narratives.

SPOILER ALERT • Drama Genre Scene Supercut

A modern melodrama is defined by the prioritization of dramatic rhetoric and plot over character. The events are intended to elicit an intense emotional response. A melodrama strives for situations used to illustrate a larger moral thesis that acts as an agent of empathy. Ex. Beaches (1988), The Fault in our Stars (2012).

The teen drama sub-genre is both simple and redundant. It focuses on the lives of teenagers, group dynamics, and general woes of adolescence. Ex. The Virgin Suicides (1999), Kids (1995).

Philosophical Drama

The philosophical sub-genre is defined by an exploration of the human condition, and the drama is derived from the questions that are presented by mere existence and life itself. Ex. The Razor’s Edge (1984), I Heart Huckabees (2004).

"What happens in a meadow at dusk?"

Medical drama.

The medical sub-genre focuses on the inherent drama of health conditions, the inner workings of hospitals, the relationship between doctors and medical staff, and the medical industry. There are medical procedurals that follow the day-to-day life of health care professionals. Ex. House (2004), Bringing Out The Dead (1999).

Legal Drama

The legal-drama sub-genre is defined by lawyers, judges, and legal complications that may be peripheral but not enveloped by the criminal justice system or matters relating to crime and punishment. While a legal drama may dip into criminal justice matters, the real focus is on characters at a law firm or judges chambers rather than a crime. Ex. The Practice (1997), The Firm (1993).

Political Drama

The political-drama sub-genre focuses on the complications and inherent drama that takes place inside the world of politics. This can range anywhere from local government to national political climates. Ex. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), House of Cards (2013).

Anthropological Drama

The anthropological sub-genre focuses on the drama derived from human behavior and society at large, and while the story may feature a central protagonist, the story might focus on a specific culture or a broad representation of society. Ex. City of God (2002), some of Spike Lee's best movies .

"Get that chicken!"

Religious drama.

The religious sub-genre is similar to the previous categories in that it focuses on the questions and inherent drama derived from religious situations and has the ability to incorporate supernatural events. Ex. The Passion of the Christ (2004), Silence (2013).

A docudrama takes real-life accounts and recreates them in a way that attempts to accurately represent events while also realizing the dramatic potential of those events. Docudramas are held to a higher standard of accuracy (not quality) than historical accounts or memoirs . Ex. Captain Phillips (2013), 127 Hours (2010).

EXPERIMENTAL MOVIE GENRE LIST

The experimental genre is often defined by the idea that the work of art and entertainment does not fit into a particular genre or sub-genre, and is intended as such. Experimental art can completely forego a cohesive narrative in exchange for an emotional response or nothing at all.

Un Chien Andalou — Experimental Cinema Genre

Surrealism cannot be stylistically defined, and this is the point of the sub-genre itself. The intention of surrealist art is to act as an activity to broaden horizons, either of oneself or of others. Surrealist art often uses irrational imagery to activate the subconscious mind. Ex. Eraserhead (1977), 8 ½ (1963).

The absurdist sub-genre focuses on characters who experience situations that suggest there is no central purpose to life. Another way to frame it is a set of experiences that catalyze a descent into nihilism. Ex. The Exterminating Angel (1962), Brazil (1985).

LIST OF FANTASY MOVIE GENRES

The fantasy genre is defined by both circumstance and setting inside a fictional universe with an unrealistic set of natural laws. The possibilities of fantasy are nearly endless, but the movies will often be inspired by human myths.

The genre often adheres to general human psychology and societal behavior while incorporating non-scientific concepts like magic, mythical creatures, and supernatural elements.

Fantasy Genre Supercut

Contemporary fantasy.

A contemporary fantasy story introduces elements of fantasy into or around a world that closely resembles the time period when it was conceived. Urban fantasy can serve as contemporary fantasy but must take place in an urban setting whereas contemporary fantasy can be set anywhere that resembles the corresponding time period. Ex. Harry Potter series (2001-2011), The Chronicles of Narnia (2005).

Urban Fantasy

An urban fantasy is a story introduces elements of fantasy and is set entirely in an urban environment. The urban environment can be real, fictional, modern, or inspired by history, but the story must take place and deal with concepts and themes related to an urban environment. Ex. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV) (1997), Supernatural (TV) (2005).

Dark Fantasy

A dark fantasy is a story where elements of fantasy are introduced into a hostile and frightening world. If a significant portion of the story takes place in a world that has a range of circumstances, mood , and tone it would most likely be categorized as a high fantasy or general fantasy. Ex. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), Solomon Kane (2009).

High Fantasy

High fantasy can also be referred to as epic fantasy, and introduces elements of fantasy in a fictional setting, and will include romance, battles, and mythical creatures. High fantasy is the fantasy genre equivalent of a historical epic or a science fiction space opera. Ex. The Lord of the Rings (2001), Game of Thrones (2011).

The Lord of the Rings • The Battle of Minas Tirith

A myth is defined by a story that often plays a fundamental role in the development of a society, which may include the origin story for humanity and existence. Often this will include characters that are gods, demigods, and supernatural humans. As noted by Joseph Campbell theory on The Hero's Journey , myths have similar characteristics despite an apparent lack of influence, which gives a myth the ability to be universally accepted. Ex. Jason and the Argonauts (1963), The Monkey King (2014).

Historical Movie Genre List

The historical genre can be split into two sections. One deals with accurate representations of historical accounts which can include biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. The other section is made up of fictional movies that are placed inside an accurate depiction of a historical setting.

The accuracy of a historical story is measured against historical accounts, not fact, as there can never be a perfectly factual account of any event without first-hand experience.

Historical Event

The historical event genre focuses on a story that creates a dramatized depiction of an event that exists in popular accounts of history. This is different from a biography in that it focuses on an event. Ex. Apollo 13 (1995) , Lincoln (2012)

A biography (or biopic ) is a story that details the life and is told by someone other than the subject.

What makes a good biopic movie?

A biography will often span a large portion of the subject's life, but in some rare cases, it may focus on the time period where that person’s life had the greatest effect on history and society. Ex. A Beautiful Mind (2001), Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Historical Epic

A historical epic is the dramatized account of a large scale event that has an attached historical account. They often feature battles, romance, and journeys, and will commonly revise history or provide assumptions that fill in gaps in the account of the historical event. Ex. Ben-Hur (1959) , Troy (2004)

Historical Fiction

Historical fiction takes place during a historical time period, and will often take a more liberal approach to representing history for the sake of drama and entertainment. Historical fiction may use real-life events and people to build context, but they’re meant to be accepted as a supposition rather than serve as an accurate historical account. Ex. Spartacus (1960) , Titanic (1997)

Period Piece

The difference between a period piece and historical fiction is slight, but the main difference is a general omission or a lack of necessity for real-life characters or events to provide context. Period pieces are merely defined by taking place in, and accurately depicting the time period as opposed to specific lives, events, or accounts. Ex. The Age of Innocence (1993) , Barry Lyndon (1975)

Alternate History

Alternate history is defined by the rewriting of historical events for the sake of speculative outcomes. These movies commonly focus on important, highly influential moments that often lead to alternate futures. Some of these movies may even include supernatural elements. Ex. The Man in the High Castle (2015), Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Horror sub-genres

The horror genre is centered upon depicting terrifying or macabre events for the sake of entertainment. A thriller might tease the possibility of a terrible event, whereas a horror film will deliver all throughout the film. The best horror movies are designed to get the heart pumping and to show us a glimpse of the unknown.

A ghost movie uses the spirit or soul of a deceased creature to introduce elements of horror. These movies can take place in any time period and are only required to evoke terror through the use of ghosts. Ex. The Frighteners (1996) , The Others (2001)

A monster movie uses a deformed or supernatural creature or set of creatures, to introduce elements of horror. These movies can also take place in any time period or setting, and their only real requirement is that the antagonist is can be categorized as a monster. Ex. The Babadook (2014), Pumpkinhead (1988)

A werewolf movie introduces elements of horror through the use of a human or set of humans that transform into a wolf-like creatures. Sometimes these werewolves have the ability to shape-shift at will, but in other cases, their transformation is dictated by a full moon. The only requirement is the use of the werewolf as the antagonist . Ex. An American Werewolf in London (1981), The Wolfman (1941) are just some of the best werewolf movies ever made.

A vampire movie introduces elements of horror through the use of undead, immortal creatures that drink blood. They can be set in any time and place and must only use vampires as the antagonist. Some vampire movies feature vampires as the protagonist, but this is often used to build sympathy rather than as a device for terror. Ex. Near Dark (1987) is one of the best '80s vampire movies while Nosferatu (1922) is one of the best vampire movies of all time.

Different Movie Genres • Near Dark

Occult movies are defined by an extension of pure reason and use paranormal themes to introduce elements of horror. Occult literally translates into “hidden from view” and involves the study of a deeper spiritual reality that extends scientific observation. Ex. Hereditary (2018), Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

A slasher story introduces elements of horror through an antagonist or set of antagonists who stalk and murder a group of people, most commonly through the use of a blade or a sharp weapon. The slasher movie is so engrained in our movie culture, even non-slasher movies use some of the same techniques and tropes. Ex. Halloween (1978) , The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

A splatter story introduces elements of horror by focusing on the vulnerability of the human body, and an emphasis on gore. Splatter movies often involve torture and attempt to present gore as an art form. Ex. Day of the Dead (1985) , Jigoku (1960)

Found Footage

Found footage can be used for any genre, but it is most commonly used in horror and features footage that appears to be an existing and informal recording of events with the purpose of simulating real-life horrific events. Ex. The Blair Witch Project (1999) , V/H/S (2012)

The zombie movie has roots all the way back to the '30s but it didn't really kick into high gear until the late 1960s. The general plot of the best zombie movies involves a group of characters trying to survive in a world overrun by zombies. The specific cause for the event ranges from infectious disease to experimental drugs gone wrong. Ex. Night of the Living Dead (1968), 28 Days Later (2002)

Types of Romance Movies

The romance genre is defined by intimate relationships. Sometimes these movies can have a darker twist, but the idea is to lean on the natural conflict derived from the pursuit of intimacy and love.

Romance Drama

The romance-drama sub-genre is defined by the conflict generated from a romantic relationship. What makes a romance-drama different from a romantic-thriller is both the source of the drama but also the intentions and motivations that drive each character’s perspective. Ex. Revolutionary Road (2008) , Blue Valentine (2010)

Romance Thriller

The romance-thriller sub-genre is defined by a suspenseful story that includes and is most likely based around a romantic relationship. Some romantic thrillers can divert into psychological thrillers where the relationship is used to manipulate, but most focus on the characters attempting to make it out of events so that they may be together. Ex. The Saint (1997) , Unfaithful (2002)

The Saint Trailer

Period romance.

A period-romance story is defined by the setting and can include and incorporate other romance sub-genres. The setting must be a historical time period, and often will adhere to the societal norms of the specific time period, though some movies have taken a more revisionist approach. Ex. Pride & Prejudice (2005) , Jane Eyre (2011)

List of Sci-Fi Genres

Science fiction movies are defined by a mixture of speculation and science. While fantasy will explain through or make use of magic and mysticism, science fiction will use the changes and trajectory of technology and science. Science fiction will often incorporate space, biology, energy, time, and any other observable science. Most of James Cameron's best movies lean heavily on science fiction.

Post-Apocalyptic

Post-apocalyptic movies are based around the occurrence, effects, and struggle generated by an apocalyptic event. While a dystopian story may incorporate a large war or apocalyptic event in its narrative history, it will include a centralized government that was formed after the event. Apocalyptic movies will not have a centralized government but may feature smaller societies and tribes as part of the story. Ex. 12 Monkeys (1995) , 28 Days Later (2002)

The utopian genre is defined by the creator’s view of an idyllic world since each person has a unique view of what they deem to be the absence of struggle and incident, but generally, themes included in the movies are peace, harmony, and a world without hunger or homelessness. In the past, utopian movies have been tied to satire because the nature of a story is often conflict, and a utopian society is viewed as an unrealistic concept. Ex. Gattaca (1997), Tomorrowland (2015)

A dystopian story is one that features a world or society that serves as a contradiction to an idyllic world. Often there is a centralized and oppressive government or religion that dictates the value of citizens on a dehumanizing level, and may or may not incorporate a destructive event that drove the creation of that centralized institution. Ex. Children of Men (2006) , Equilibrium (2002)

The cyberpunk sub-genre is defined by a mixture of a desperate society oversaturated with the crime that takes place in a high tech world that includes cybernetic organisms, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. Ex. Blade Runner (1982), Elysium (2013) are just two of the best cyberpunk movies .

The steampunk sub-genre is inspired by technology created during the 19th century and the industrial revolution and may be set in a speculative future, alternate universe, or revision of the 1800s. Ex. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) , Mortal Engines (2018)

Tech noir is similar to dystopian but defined by technology as the main source behind humanity's struggle and partial downfall. There is no requirement for a centralized government, and the only true aspect that places a story in this category is that technology threatens our reality. Ex. The Terminator (1984)

Space Opera

A space opera is defined by a mixture of space warfare, adventure, and romance. The genre got its name from similarities to “soap operas” and “horse operas” due to their collective connection to melodrama. The term “space opera” has no connection to the music of any kind. Ex. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) , The Fifth Element (1997)

Contemporary

A contemporary science fiction story is set in the actual time period of its conception and introduces some form of a theoretical technology or scientific concept to serve as the story’s main source of conflict. This is different from tech-noir both due to scale and a strict time period. Ex. Ex Machina (2014) , Arrival (2016)

A military science fiction story is defined by a strict focus on the military conflict in a speculative or future setting. While other movies may include space warfare, a military science fiction story will be limited to themes and events directly tied to military service and battle. Ex. Starship Troopers (1997), Aliens (1986)

Thriller Movie Categories

A thriller story is mostly about the emotional purpose, which is to elicit strong emotions, mostly dealing with generating suspense and anxiety. No matter what the specific plot, the best thrillers get your heart racing.

Psychological

A psychological thriller focuses and emphasizes the unstable psychological state of the characters inside the story. Often there is a mysterious set of circumstances, and a paranoia, warranted or otherwise, that catalyzes extreme actions from the characters. Many of Darren Aronofsky's best movies explore the dark depths inside the broken psyche of his protagonists. Ex. Gone Girl (2014), Memento (2000)

A mystery story can often be connected to the crime genre, but may not involve or use law enforcement or the justice system as the main characters or backdrop for the story. A mystery story is defined by the plot, and both the character’s and the viewer’s relationship with the motivations and reality behind the events that occur.

If you've seen any of M. Night Shyamalan's movies , you know how mystery plays a part. Ex. Prisoners (2013), The Gift (2015)

M. Night Shyamalan's Directing Style

The techno-thriller sub-genre is defined by a conflict that takes place for or through Various forms of technology. What makes a techno-thriller different from various action sub-genres is the level of detail paid toward the underlying technical aspects of the technology and its effects.

Some consider the definition of film noir to more of a style than a genre, because there is no requirement to be connected to a crime. There is, however, a natural overlap between style and genre in the best Film Noir movies . The central theme behind the noir sub-genre is a psychic imbalance that leads to self-hatred, aggression, or sociopathy. Recently, Neo-Noir movies have modified these themes to the modern day.

Western Movie sub-genres

Westerns are defined by their setting and time period. The story needs to take place in the American West, which begins as far east as Missouri and extends to the Pacific ocean. They’re set during the 19th century, and will often feature horse riding, military expansion, violent and non-violent interaction with Native American tribes, the creation of railways, gunfights, and technology created during the industrial revolution.

Neo-Westerns Explained • Subscribe on YouTube

Epic western.

The idea of an epic western is to emphasize and incorporate many if not all of the western genre elements, but on a grand scale, and also use the backdrop of large scale real-life events to frame your story.

Empire Western

These movies follow a protagonist or a group of protagonists as they forge a large scale business based on natural resources and land. It can also follow the creation of the railroad, or large scale settlement.

Marshal Western

A marshal western is where we follow a lawman as they attempt to track down, apprehend, and punish a criminal or group of gangsters.

Tombstone Trailer

Outlaw western.

An outlaw western is where we follow a criminal or group of criminals as they attempt crimes and evade the law. Often, these movies will portray the outlaws in a somewhat favorable manner.

Revenge Western

This genre is defined by a singular goal and will incorporate the elements of the western genre while the protagonist seeks revenge.

Revisionist Western

A revisionist western challenges and often aims to disprove the notions propped up by traditional westerns. Early westerns often had their own agenda, and revisionist westerns attempt to dissolve and cast aside a commonly one-sided genre.

Spaghetti Western

The Spaghetti Western genre was named such because the films were initially made in Italy or produced by Italian filmmakers. Because these films are defined by their ‘heritage’ they can also fall into many of the other western genres as long as they are Italian built. Here are our picks for the best Spaghetti Westerns of all time .

Movie Genre List

Musicals originated as stage plays, but they soon became a favorite for many film directors and have even made their way into television. Musicals can incorporate any other genre, but they incorporate characters who sing songs and perform dance numbers.

La La Land • Another Day of Sun

War movie genre.

The war genre has a few debatable definitions, but we’re going to try to be as straightforward and impartial as humanly possible. Movies in the war genre center around large scale conflicts between opposing forces inside a universe that shares the same natural laws as our own.

War movies can be historical accounts, fictionalized events, or future speculations that incorporate civilian interaction, political interaction, and espionage that takes place alongside a large scale, violent conflict. Some of the best WWII movies include all of those elements.

Saving Private Ryan Trailer

They are not intended to act strictly as a form of entertainment, but rather to create a deep sense of empathy toward the reality of war. Movies in the war genre may romanticize aspects of military action and camaraderie, but the purpose is to convey the reality that war brings.

They can be set in any time period or setting, but the central theme and bulk of the content must incorporate war to remain in this genre.

Learn how to write a screenplay

Now that you have a better idea of movie categories and the various film and television genres, why not start writing your own story. Read up on How to Write a Screenplay. We take you through the steps necessary to create a professionally structured and formatted screenplay.

Up Next: How to Write a Screenplay →

Write and produce your scripts all in one place..

Write and collaborate on your scripts FREE . Create script breakdowns, sides, schedules, storyboards, call sheets and more.

Pricing & Plans
Product Updates
Featured On
StudioBinder Partners
Ultimate Guide to Call Sheets
How to Break Down a Script (with FREE Script Breakdown Sheet)
The Only Shot List Template You Need — with Free Download
Managing Your Film Budget Cashflow & PO Log (Free Template)
A Better Film Crew List Template Booking Sheet
Best Storyboard Softwares (with free Storyboard Templates)
Movie Magic Scheduling
Gorilla Software
Storyboard That

A visual medium requires visual methods. Master the art of visual storytelling with our FREE video series on directing and filmmaking techniques.

We’re in a golden age of TV writing and development. More and more people are flocking to the small screen to find daily entertainment. So how can you break put from the pack and get your idea onto the small screen? We’re here to help.

Making It: From Pre-Production to Screen
What is a Frame Narrative — Stories Inside Stories
What is Catharsis — Definition & Examples for Storytellers
How to Make a Shot List in 8 Steps — Process Explained
The Walk and Talk in Film & TV — Writing & Shooting Tips
What is Script Writing — The Basics to Help Get You Started
4.5K Facebook
120 Pinterest
168 LinkedIn

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy . We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Review: Ryan Reynolds Blasts Into the MCU with a Meta-Sequel That Nakedly Tries to Save Superhero Movies from Extinction

David ehrlich.

Share on Facebook
Share to Flipboard
Share on LinkedIn
Show more sharing options
Submit to Reddit
Post to Tumblr
Print This Page
Share on WhatsApp

That process inevitably led to the creation of a multiverse, which turned the MCU into a meta-textual jigsaw puzzle that could only be reassembled by looking for stray pieces off-screen. It didn’t take long before the sort of knowledge that used to enhance these movies became required to understand them, as blockbusters like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ” were premised upon a working familiarity with the kind of corporate mishegoss (e.g. character rights, streaming ambitions, box office data) that only nerds and shareholders should ever have to know. Related Stories That $43 Billion Paramount Bid Looks Like a Big Hoax ‘The Man I Love’ Shows at Least One Studio Still Sees Life in Physical Media

That pivot felt like a natural response to a moment in which the conversation around the culture had become fully inseparable from the culture itself, but the movies suffered without a grounding force of their own, and the ouroboros of it all triggered a degree of superhero fatigue that none of the Avengers were powerful enough to fight.

Lucky for Disney, its decision to swallow 20th Century Fox like the Alioth has allowed Deadpool to enter the MCU. And lucky for Deadpool, entering the MCU — insert a painfully obvious anal sex joke here — has allowed him to evolve into something more than just superhero cinema’s obnoxious little brother. You see (and I hope you’re sitting down for this), Deadpool knows that he’s in the MCU. Not only that, Deadpool knows the MCU is in desperate need of saving. And not only that , Deadpool also knows that saving it might be his only chance to prove, both to the Avengers and the audience alike, that he isn’t the “annoying one-trick pony” (his words) that both of his “infuriatingly self-satisfied, satire for babies, I want to go back in time and strangle Thomas Edison in his crib -ass movies” (my words) made him out to be.

On the contrary, it has everything to do with Deadpool as a conceit , as the character’s unbridled self-awareness makes him singularly well-positioned to remind “people” why they “loved” superhero “movies” in the first place. The endless reboots? The orphaned franchises? The naked transparency of exploiting an audience’s nostalgic allegiance to the characters they grew up with? “Deadpool & Wolverine” is a mega-budget Möbius strip of a movie that’s single-mindedly determined to twist those flaws into genre-defining strengths. Hell, the entire premise of its story depends upon its ability to reclaim casual audiences’ most consistent pet peeve: The fact that people almost never stay dead in these films.

Deadpool couldn’t reach that bar if he were standing on a pile of money $785.8 million high, but Wolverine would definitely fit the bill. People love that guy. The only problem: In this timeline, he was “tree-fucked to death” at the end of “Logan,” a situation that Deadpool tries — and fails — to fix in an opening credits sequence that epitomizes the good, the bad, and the Levy of Marvel’s conceptually bold, artistically bankrupt, gleefully R-rated hail Mary to save its brand.

“How can we [exhume Hugh Jackman] without disrespecting Logan’s memory?” Deadpool asks us. Then he answers his own question: “We’re not.” Cue: Deadpool gleefully using the adamantium-covered bones from Wolverine’s corpse to dismember a small army of day players as he dances to NSYNC’S “Bye Bye Bye.” The action is flimsy and garish, the joke is beaten to death harder than any of the bad guys, and the punchline is that Deadpool has cracked open Pandora’s Box (don’t hold your breath for any wisecracks there, Kevin Feige only agreed to butt stuff). Like so many scenes in this movie, the basic fact that it’s happening is funnier than anything that actually happens in it.

It’s a credit to Levy, the writers (Levy, Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Zeb Wells), and the very extended cast they had at their disposal that I didn’t spend the entire film actively rooting for Nova to succeed, even if I definitely reached a point where I was hoping that she would fail a lot faster — a point that arrived long before Reynolds turned to the camera and assures the audience that it’s almost over. “Deadpool & Wolverine” might be plotted with all the care and precision of a dream someone had at Comic-Con while they were sleeping outside in the line for Hall H, but Reynolds and co. find enough connective tissue between the constant ejaculations of fan service to keep things wadded together.

The actors who embody that opportunity embrace it with their entire hearts, delivering a handful of endearingly hilarious performances that feed off the meta-textual nature of their existence in order to create real feeling out of film industry nonsense. It’s like watching a production of “Our Town” where Deadpool has been cast as the Stage Manager, standing off to the side and letting a series of ghosts tell a story that only really needs him for running commentary — and to engage in an occasional stab-fest with Wolverine, the two immortals fighting to bleed an entire movie out of the deathless sparring match that made Jack Sparrow’s climactic duel with Captain Barbossa feel like such a waste of time in “Pirates of the Caribbean.” True to form, Levy completely (and I mean completely ) wastes Wolverine as a character, but Jackman himself is able to be a frequent source of delight; the emotional payoff at the end of his performance has nothing to do with the Logan he plays here, and everything to do with how the movie allows the actor to come full circle with the Logan he played in the first “X-Men.”

No one is ever worthless, despite what the Rotten Tomatoes scores might suggest. No one is ever beyond salvation, even decades after the world has turned its back on them. No one is ever truly dead, at least so long as people still have love for them in their hearts and/or they’re willing to let Ryan Reynolds make jokes about penetrating them from behind.

These sentiments would feel plastic in a vacuum, but the context of their genre allows them to be relocated into a messy spandex myth several decades in the making, and in doing so endows them with the weight of several Hollywood lifetimes. “Deadpool & Wolverine” tells us that the multiverse doesn’t matter beyond its ability to give everyone the ending they deserve.

Yes, the story of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has long been more compelling than any of the stories told in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and — in the process of reconciling those two stories as only Marvel Jesus could — Deadpool makes a very persuasive case that this should be the last superhero movie ever made. It won’t be. It already isn’t. The best we can probably hope for is that “Deadpool 4” is similarly willing to die for all of the sins that its genre will commit between now and then.

Most Popular

Essays on Movie Review

Once in a while, you’ll be asked to do a movie review essay. This task is a great training tool for enhancing critical thinking skills. Essays on movie review aim at presenting a film from the most important scenes, special effects, to exciting moments and may be accompanied by criticism. From an advertising perspective, such a paper is aimed at convincing readers to watch the movie in question. Your writing should let a reader draw a conclusion, i.e, whether the film is worth their time or if they should try something else. Most importantly, your opinion must be independent and accurate. But how can you create a perfect introduction if you don’t have the experience in this type of writing? Relax. A good online writer can do it for you. If you have an idea but need some guidance, simply ask for a professional outline or use evaluation essay examples for students for more insights.

Hook Examples for Movie Review Essays

"a cinematic masterpiece" hook.

"Prepare to be captivated by the sheer brilliance of this cinematic masterpiece. Explore how every frame, performance, and detail contributes to a visual and emotional spectacle."

"Beyond the Screen: Themes and Messages" Hook

"This film transcends entertainment, offering profound themes and powerful messages. Dive into the underlying ideas and social commentary that make it a thought-provoking experience."

"The Journey of Character Development" Hook

"Follow the compelling journey of characters who evolve throughout the film. Analyze their growth, conflicts, and relationships, making this movie a character-driven narrative."

"Visual Delights: Cinematography and Special Effects" Hook

"Be prepared to be visually stunned by the breathtaking cinematography and cutting-edge special effects. Explore how these elements enhance the storytelling and immerse the audience."

"Unforgettable Performances" Hook

"The cast delivers unforgettable performances that breathe life into the characters. Discuss standout acting moments, character dynamics, and the emotional impact of their roles."

"The Soundtrack: Music That Moves" Hook

"The film's soundtrack is more than just music; it's an integral part of the storytelling. Explore how the score enhances emotions, sets the tone, and complements the visuals."

"Cinematic Analysis: Directing and Editing" Hook

"Delve into the meticulous craftsmanship of the director and editor. Analyze their choices in pacing, sequencing, and storytelling techniques that make this film a cinematic triumph."

Existentialism in "Hush": a Philosophical Examination of Silence and Being

The sense of fragmentation in john updike's "separating", made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

Journey of Redemption in The Movie "28 Days"

Titanic movie review: acting and emotions, a critical look at aladdin the movie, the wizard of oz movie review, let us write you an essay from scratch.

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Shrek 2: an Animated Movie Review

Sociological analysis of zootopia, a movie review of back to the future, a science fiction film by robert zemeckis, review of the movie clueless, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

The Description of The Movie "Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone"

"avengers: endgame": movie review, disney's beauty and the beast movie analysis, maleficent movie review: a fresh take on the sleeping beauty, analysis of the film "bad boys ii" by michael bay, greatest series of all time: "stranger things", the "inception" movie: review, a critical review of the movie finding nemo, a review of the film 'coraline', a report on the film avengers: infinity war, "tom and jerry" - one of the most famous cartoons, the personality of spongebob squarepants, film review: traffic by steven soderbergh, movie review: forrest gump, the blind side movie review and analysis, shutter island analysis: the role of symbolism, a study of the impact of caillou and spongebob on children, review of the series, gossip girl, film review: 12 monkeys, breakfast at tiffany’s: a revolutionary romantic comedy, relevant topics.

Documentary
Freedom Writers
12 Angry Men
Indian Horse
Miss Representation
Movie Summary
Do The Right Thing
Hidden Figures
The Hunger Games
Film Analysis

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Bibliography

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

Movie review: Matt Damon, Casey Affleck can't elevate generic 'Instigators'

Matt Damon (L) and Casey Affleck star in "The Instigators." Photo courtesy of Apple TV+

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The Instigators , in theaters Friday and on Apple TV+ on Aug. 9, cannot live up to the Ocean's movies of which Matt Damon and Casey Affleck are two of the 11. Perhaps they should not attempt heists without Brad Pitt or George Clooney.

Rory (Damon) is an ex-marine in therapy and desperate for exactly $32,480 to pay off lawyers and back child support. So, he takes a job for Mr. Besegai (Michael Stuhlbarg) to rob Mayor Miccelli's (Ron Perlman) victory party. Advertisement

Cobby (Affleck) is the ex-con veteran on the team. As is de rigueur in this genre, the job doesn't go according to plan, so mismatched Rory and Cobby go on the run together, with Cobby nursing an injury from the botched heist.

The Instigators, written by Affleck and Chuck MacLean, moves through the tropes at a brisk, if familiar, clip. Cobby notices details that alert him to dangers early because he's been on jobs before.

There are car chases full of vehicles coordinated on the streets and multiple heists in physical buildings. That is welcome in an era dominated by movies filmed against green screens for digital backgrounds or LED screens with prerecorded backgrounds. Advertisement

However, it doesn't measure up to the action greats, or even director Doug Liman's own Bourne Identity or Road House just earlier this year.

The juxtaposition of Rory and Cobby falls entirely flat. Cobby tries to teach Rory how to talk tough on his first mission. Rory tries again later in the movie and it's even less funny.

Cobby keeps pointing out things he thinks are funny because Rory never laughs through this crisis, but Rory is right. Nothing is especially funny, except for Cobby making a neighborhood blow into his breathalyzer before the heist.

Even trying to put a twist on genre conventions becomes too obvious. Rory takes his psychiatrist (Hong Chau) hostage, and she psychoanalyzes them during familiar bullet extraction and hostage negotiation scenes, but the observations add neither humor nor complexity to the formula.

It is a shame The Instigators couldn't make a stronger case for practical, star-driven dramas. Those kinds of movies are in short supply in 2024. The ones that do get made can barely afford to be generic and forgettable.

Fred Topel, who attended film school at Ithaca College, is a UPI entertainment writer based in Los Angeles. He has been a professional film critic since 1999, a Rotten Tomatoes critic since 2001, and a member of the Television Critics Association since 2012 and the Critics Choice Association since 2023. Read more of his work in Entertainment. Advertisement

Carolyn Lawrence still learning about SpongeBob's Sandy Cheeks
Robin Antin: 'Playground' dancers are 'wild cards, all of them'
Tami Stronach film 'Man and Witch' still inspired by 'Neverending Story'

Latest Headlines

'Horizon: An American Saga' Part 2 to premiere at Venice Film Festival

The Stomach-Dropping, Heart-Tugging Appeal of Climbing Documentaries

“Skywalkers” and “Mountain Queen” are strong entries in a genre with great appeal to viewers who themselves might prefer to be sitting.

Share full article

In what looks to be a shot via a fisheye lens, a woman in a black hat and a ballet-like outfit poses on a very narrow pitched roof with a cityscape surrounding her.

By Alissa Wilkinson

Documentaries in which people climb very tall things have a remarkable track record. “Man on Wire,” James Marsh’s 2008 recounting of Philippe Petit’s high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in 1974, is one of the most acclaimed and successful documentaries of all time. Jimmy Chin and Chai Vasarhelyi have made two celebrated films about the sport, “Meru” in 2015 and “Free Solo” in 2018. Just do a quick search for “climbing documentaries” and you’ll find dozens — it’s clearly a genre people love.

That’s undoubtedly due in part to the fact that most of us (myself included) will never, ever attempt to scale a 3,000-foot cliff without ropes. These movies show us what we can’t otherwise see. Plus, in contrast to the manufactured safety of a fiction film, a documentary is heart-pounding. Your head knows they probably will get out alive — but your stomach sure doesn’t.

There’s another reason these movies are so popular, though, and it’s more psychological. As a nonclimber with an aversion to physical risk, I find it hard to fathom what drives those who choose, of their own free will, to put themselves into extreme physical situations that could easily kill them. It must mean something more to them than oxygen-deprived thrills — but what? Two gripping documentaries on Netflix this week come at that question from different directions, but offer similar answers.

Lucy Walker’s “ Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa ” is a biographical documentary about Lhakpa Sherpa, a Nepalese mountain climber who holds the women’s world record for the most summits of Mount Everest, 10 in all. (And not many men have summited more.) I expected a portrait of an incredibly strong woman, and that’s an apt description for “Mountain Queen.” But Lhakpa’s story is much more complicated than that. Through interviews and footage shot on Everest, Lhakpa — who lives in Connecticut with her teenage daughters — reveals the many obstacles she’s had to overcome, including patriarchal ideas about climbing in her home culture and an abusive marriage to a fellow climber once she moved to the United States.

Most important, she shows what drives someone like her toward this kind of extreme sport, and it mainly boils down to wanting to live a life of significance. But Lhakpa’s aim is less about being famous and more about paving the way to a better future for herself and her children. “I want to be somebody. I want to do something good,” she says. “I want to show my two girls how to be brave.”

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber? Log in .

Want all of The Times? Subscribe .

Cast & crew

Alien: Romulus

While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.

Fede Alvarez
Rodo Sayagues
Dan O'Bannon
Cailee Spaeny
Isabela Merced
Archie Renaux
2 Critic reviews
1 nomination

Rain Carradine

All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Want to Hear About Animatronic Xenomorphs?

Did you know

Trivia Director Fede Alvarez sought out the special effects crew from Aliens (1986) to work on the creatures. Physical sets, practical creatures, and miniatures were used wherever possible to help ground later VFX work.
Connections Featured in Nerdrotic: The Acolyte: Force is Female CONFIRMED? The Death of Theaters - The Real BBC @MauLer @HeelvsBabyface (2024)
When will Alien: Romulus be released? Powered by Alexa
When will this film take place in the Alien timeline?
August 16, 2024 (United States)
United Kingdom
United States
Official Website
Quái Vật Không Gian: Romulus
Origo Studios, Budapest, Hungary
20th Century Studios
Scott Free Productions
Brandywine Productions
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

Runtime 1 hour 59 minutes
Dolby Atmos

More to explore

More From Forbes

Genre films from around the globe premiere this week at fantasia 2024.

Share to Facebook
Share to Twitter
Share to Linkedin

The Fantasia International Film Festival will be held from July 18 to August 4, 2024 in Montreal, ... [+] Quebec, Canada.

July is an interesting time in the world of genre films. For the casual film fans out there, the term “genre film” can be confusing. Doesn’t every film fit in some type of genre? Character drama, comedy, historical drama, etc.? The answer is Yes. Every film can be classified to some extent. The term “genre film” is most often used to describe films where the genre of the film is its emphasis, the tone that dominates the narrative. It’s most often used to describe horror, martial arts, western, science fiction, crime and action films.

Many tentpole summer blockbusters are genre films at heart. They’ve been bloated by big budgets and feature a cast of A-list actors who are selected through some arcane set of box office metrics to increase the film’s chances of financial success worldwide. They’re engineered to appeal to as many people as possible and arguably develop a blandness to them as a result.

So, it’s a perfect cinematic convergence to have a little genre counterprogramming in the summer especially when it comes in the form of the Fantasia International Film Festival that’s held in Montreal every year. I’ve extolled the virtues of this festival for years, and my praise continues in 2024. Curation runs deep at Fantasia, delivering excellent genre films from around the world that retain a bespoke quality, offering the unadulterated visions of their filmmakers. Box office metrics be damned. Fantasia focuses on filmmakers as artists with an annual slate of unique stories from nearly every point of view imaginable.

Here are a handful of my favorites from the first week of the festival that should be coming to theaters and streaming services later this year:

A mysterious masked avenger confronts a gang of high school bullies in 'Brave Citizen', a new ... [+] martial arts action film making its North American premiere at the 2024 Fantasia International Film Festival

Brave Citizen : So Si-min (Shin Hye-sun) is a substitute teacher hoping for a promotion as a full-time faculty member. She soon learns that her new school is being terrorized by Han Soo-kang, the son of rich, powerful parents who insulate him from any fallout resulting from his criminal conduct. When Han pushes some of So Si-min’s students too hard, she decides to push back behind the guise of a masked vigilante. What Han doesn’t know is that So Si-min was an Olympic-quality professional boxer before she hung up her gloves and became an educator.

‘Say It To My Face’: Harris Issues New Trump Debate Challenge At Raucous Atlanta Rally

Today’s nyt mini crossword clues and answers for wednesday, july 31, nyt ‘strands’ hints, spangram and answers for wednesday, july 31st.

Shin Hye-sun effortlessly carries the film as the school teacher who doesn’t want any trouble, but may very well have to cause some in the name of the greater good. Lee Jun Young’s performance as the uber-privileged teen villain makes you want to punch him in the face yourself.

The film feels like a Korean update to The Substitute films of the 1990’s and the various Death Wish sequels where schools and surrounding communities were forced to rise up against their oppressors and fight to take back their homes. The masked vigilante conceit adds an element of superhero culture to the proceedings. Brave Citizen is my favorite film from the first week of Fantasia 2024. I went in with no real expectations, only to discover an action gem.

Alex (Blu Hunt) finds herself caught up in a series of random hookups until she finds something ... [+] decidedly different in writer-director Elric Kane's 'The Dead Thing'

The Dead Thing : George Bernard Shaw is credited with the line Those who can’t do, teach. Well, someone clearly forgot to tell writer-director Elric Kane, the man behind the new horror film, The Dead Thing , which had its world premiere at Fantasia 2024. Kane is the Academic Department Director at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) College of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles. He’s also a podcaster extraordinaire who’s well known to cinephiles around the world thanks to shows like Pure Cinema Podcast and Colors of the Dark .

If you think academia is where you go for your career to gather dust, The Dead Thing proves otherwise. It’s the clever tale of Alex (Blu Hunt), a Gen Z office drone who spends her working hours scanning documents and her spare time trolling dating apps to find random hookups. Then one night she experiences a real connection with Kyle (Ben Smith-Petersen), a young, passionate guy who vanishes the very next morning. Didn’t he feel their connection, too?

Alex finds herself becoming obsessed with finding Kyle. Is she just embarrassed at being ghosted? Or did he stir something deep within her that she’s never felt before? Her search will take her to dark places she never would’ve expected, places that I won’t reveal here.

The Dead Thing is Elric Kane’s U.S. feature film directorial debut. I’ve listened to him on his podcasts extolling the virtues of lean thrillers that don’t overstay their welcome so they sustain a constant forward momentum. With its 94-minute runtime and clever twists and turns, Kane has heeded his own advice and crafted a tight, tense film that also has a lot to say about our modern dating culture and how relationships have become so reliant on technology. I look forward to seeing what he does next.

College professor Lee Jung-in and his wife, Kim Hyun-sook, await the arrival of an unwanted guest in ... [+] the South Korean thriller '4 PM'

4PM : Lee Jung-in is a college professor embarking on a well-earned sabbatical. He and his wife have purchased a home in the countryside, far away from the hustle and bustle of their city lives, where they hope to spend their days reading, eating good food, drinking good wine and taking long walks. They’re a polite couple and leave a note for their neighbor, Park Yook-nam, a retired doctor, to call on them anytime so they can get acquainted.

Yook-nam knocks on their door at 4 p.m. the next day, and what follows is the most excruciating, tedious two-hour social encounter that Jung-in and his wife have ever experienced. The couple laugh off the whole awkward incident ... until there’s a knock at their door at 4 p.m. the next afternoon. And the next. And the next.

4PM begins as an absurdist comedy about human tendencies to avoid social awkwardness, to do the right thing by our neighbors even if it’s not the best thing for ourselves. With its whimsical score, the opening of the film will remind audiences of the jaunty comedies of the 1980’s, and there are some laugh-out-loud moments in the first act of the film. But, 4PM comes to life when it finds another, darker, gear as Yook-nam’s unwanted daily visits begin to feel more like psychological warfare.

The film is largely a three-hander with our college professor, his wife and the interloping physician receiving almost all of the screentime. (It would spoil the fun to reveal the only other character. So, I’ll leave that for you to discover for yourself.) The MVPs of the film are the screenplay and the three talented actors who bring it to life. Each character is a distinct individual with feelings and motivations that ground the film even when the story is taken to absurdist lengths to elicit a laugh or make a satirical point.

Over the history of cinema, a film like 4 PM would be referred to as a “comedy of manners”. As with most labels, that one doesn’t do the film justice. It begins as an absurdist comedy that becomes darker and darker as the film progresses. Maybe 4 PM should be referred to as a “thriller of manners”? Don’t sleep on this one.

Editorial Standards
Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's Terms of Service. We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
Content that otherwise violates our site's terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
Actions that otherwise violate our site's terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

Stay on topic and share your insights
Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
Protect your community.
Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's Terms of Service.

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, chaz's journal, great movies, contributors, pulp fiction.

Now streaming on:

Quentin Tarantino is the Jerry Lee Lewis of cinema, a pounding performer who doesn't care if he tears up the piano, as long as everybody is rocking. His new movie "Pulp Fiction" is a comedy about blood, guts, violence, strange sex, drugs, fixed fights, dead body disposal, leather freaks, and a wristwatch that makes a dark journey down through the generations.

Seeing this movie last May at the Cannes Film Festival, I knew it was either one of the year's best films, or one of the worst.

Tarantino is too gifted a filmmaker to make a boring movie, but he could possibly make a bad one: Like Edward D. Wood Jr., proclaimed the Worst Director of All Time, he's in love with every shot - intoxicated with the very act of making a movie. It's that very lack of caution and introspection that makes "Pulp Fiction" crackle like an ozone generator: Here's a director who's been let loose inside the toy store, and wants to play all night.

The screenplay, by Tarantino and Roger Avary , is so well-written in a scruffy, fanzine way that you want to rub noses in it - the noses of those zombie writers who take "screenwriting" classes that teach them the formulas for "hit films." Like " Citizen Kane ," "Pulp Fiction" is constructed in such a nonlinear way that you could see it a dozen times and not be able to remember what comes next. It doubles back on itself, telling several interlocking stories about characters who inhabit a world of crime and intrigue, triple-crosses and loud desperation. The title is perfect. Like those old pulp mags named "Thrilling Wonder Stories" and "Official Detective," the movie creates a world where there are no normal people and no ordinary days - where breathless prose clatters down fire escapes and leaps into the dumpster of doom.

The movie resurrects not only an aging genre but also a few careers.

John Travolta stars as Vincent Vega, a mid-level hit man who carries out assignments for a mob boss. We see him first with his partner Jules ( Samuel L. Jackson ); they're on their way to a violent showdown with some wayward Yuppie drug dealers, and are discussing such mysteries as why in Paris they have a French word for Quarter Pounders. They're as innocent in their way as Huck and Jim, floating down the Mississippi and speculating on how foreigners can possibly understand each other.

Travolta's career is a series of assignments he can't quite handle. Not only does he kill people inadvertently ("The car hit a bump!") but he doesn't know how to clean up after himself. Good thing he knows people like Mr. Wolf ( Harvey Keitel ), who specializes in messes, and has friends like the character played by Eric Stoltz , who owns a big medical encyclopedia, and can look up emergency situations.

Travolta and Uma Thurman have a sequence that's funny and bizarre. She's the wife of the mob boss ( Ving Rhames ), who orders Travolta to take her out for the night. He turns up stoned, and addresses an intercom with such grave, stately courtesy Buster Keaton would have been envious. They go to Jack Rabbit Slim's, a 1950s theme restaurant where Ed Sullivan is the emcee, Buddy Holly is the waiter, and they end up in a twist contest. That's before she overdoses and Stoltz, waving a syringe filled with adrenaline, screams at Travolta, "YOU brought her here, YOU stick in the needle! When I bring an O.D. to YOUR house, I'LL stick in the needle!" Bruce Willis and Maria de Medeiros play another couple: He's a boxer named Butch Coolidge who is supposed to throw a fight, but doesn't. She's his sweet, naive girlfriend, who doesn't understand why they have to get out of town "right away." But first he needs to make a dangerous trip back to his apartment to pick up a priceless family heirloom - a wristwatch. The history of this watch is described in a flashback, as Vietnam veteran Christopher Walken tells young Butch about how the watch was purchased by his great-grandfather, "Private Doughboy Orion Coolidge," and has come down through the generations - and through a lot more than generations, for that matter. Walken's monologue builds to the movie's biggest laugh.

The method of the movie is to involve its characters in sticky situations, and then let them escape into stickier ones, which is how the boxer and the mob boss end up together as the captives of weird leather freaks in the basement of a gun shop. Or how the characters who open the movie, a couple of stick-up artists played by Tim Roth and Amanda Plummer , get in way over their heads. Most of the action in the movie comes under the heading of crisis control.

If the situations are inventive and original, so is the dialogue. A lot of movies these days use flat, functional speech: The characters say only enough to advance the plot. But the people in "Pulp Fiction" are in love with words for their own sake. The dialogue by Tarantino and Avary is off the wall sometimes, but that's the fun. It also means that the characters don't all sound the same: Travolta is laconic, Jackson is exact, Plummer and Roth are dopey lovey-doveys, Keitel uses the shorthand of the busy professional, Thurman learned how to be a moll by studying soap operas.

It is part of the folklore that Tarantino used to work as a clerk in a video store, and the inspiration for "Pulp Fiction" is old movies, not real life. The movie is like an excursion through the lurid images that lie wound up and trapped inside all those boxes on the Blockbuster shelves. Tarantino once described the old pulp mags as cheap, disposable entertainment that you could take to work with you, and roll up and stick in your back pocket. Yeah, and not be able to wait until lunch, so you could start reading them again.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

Now playing

Matt Zoller Seitz

Hollywoodgate

Brian tallerico.

The Last Breath

Glenn kenny.

The Way We Speak

Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger

Peter sobczynski.

What Remains

Craig d. lindsey, film credits.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

154 minutes

Uma Thurman as Mia

Bruce Willis as Butch Coolidge

John Travolta as Vincent Vega

Samuel L. Jackson as Jules

Directed by

Quentin Tarantino

Latest blog posts

The Unloved, Part 128: Cobweb

Losers Win: Guardians of the Galaxy Turns 10

Shadow of the Erdtree Expands Scope of One of the Best Games of Its Era

Women in Blue is Good at Suspense, Medium at Feminism

IMAGES

PPT
Movie Genres List: The Definitive Guide • Filmmaking Lifestyle
PPT
Genre Analysis of Movie Review Essay Example
How to Write a Movie Review: Top Recommendations and Instructions
Movie Review Sample

VIDEO

Kill Movie Review
Perils in Paradise
MAPENZI YA MASIKINI YAMPAGAWISHA MTOTO WAKISHUA
Gaslight Movie REVIEW
Chandu Champion Movie Review
when a great director creates his own genre, then subverts it

COMMENTS

What is a Film Review
A film review is a type of critique that provides an evaluation of a film, encompassing various aspects such as the plot, themes, direction, script, and performances. Originating in the early 20th century with the advent of cinema, film reviews have evolved from mere opinion pieces in newspapers to a significant form of journalistic writing. ...
Wonder movie review & film summary (2017)
He loves " Star Wars " and Minecraft. He has an aptitude for science, a sly sense of humor, and an active imagination that helps him navigate uncomfortable situations. ("Wonder" occasionally dabbles in magical realism, but in ways that are more amusing than distracting.) Advertisement. Uniformly strong performances help ground the story.
PDF Film Review
Writing the Film Review Although there is not a set formula to follow when writing a film review, the genre does have certain common elements that most film reviews include. 1) Introduction - In the opening of your review, provide some basic information about the film. You may include film's name, year, director, screenwriter, and major actors.
Best-Reviewed Movies by Genre 2021
Best-Reviewed Movies by Genre 2021. Best Action & Adventure Movies 2021. January 31, 2022. Best Animated Movies 2021. January 31, 2022. Best Comedy Movies 2021. January 31, 2022. Best Comic Book Movies 2021. January 31, 2022.
Us movie review & film summary (2019)
Peele's film, which he directed, wrote and produced, will likely reward audiences on multiple viewings, each visit revealing a new secret, showing you something you missed before in a new light. "Us" begins back in 1986 with a young girl and her parents wandering through the Santa Cruz boardwalk at night. She separates from them to walk ...
Black Panther movie review & film summary (2018)
Black Panther. In 1992, a little Black kid on a makeshift basketball court in Oakland, California disrupts his game to glance up at the sky. Figuratively, he's looking at the loss of hope, a departure represented by glowing lights drifting away into the night. As we learn later, those lights belong to a futuristic flying machine returning to ...
How to Write a Movie Review: 5 Tips for Writing Movie Reviews
Level Up Your Team. See why leading organizations rely on MasterClass for learning & development. Whether it's for pleasure or a job assignment, writing a good movie review can be a useful exercise that allows you to explore your personal connection to a film. If you've recently watched a film and want to share your opinions about it, there ...
7.3 Glance at Genre: Criteria, Evidence, Evaluation
Review: genre that evaluates performances, exhibitions, works of art (books, movies, visual arts), services, and products Secondary source: source that contains the analysis or synthesis of someone else, such as opinion pieces, newspaper and magazine articles, and academic journal articles.
Rotten Tomatoes: Movies
Rotten Tomatoes, home of the Tomatometer, is the most trusted measurement of quality for Movies & TV. The definitive site for Reviews, Trailers, Showtimes, and Tickets
Movie Reviews
Not Rated. Biography, Crime, Drama, Music. Directed by Fatih Akin. Based on the life of an Iranian German drug dealer and rapper, Fatih Akin's interminable drama feels uncomfortably partial to ...
Best-Reviewed Movies by Genre 2020
Best Kids & Family Movies 2020. February 3, 2021. Best Musicals & Music Movies 2020. February 1, 2021. Best Romance Movies 2020. January 31, 2021. Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movies 2020. January 30, 2021. Best Thrillers 2020.
'Bohemian Rhapsody': Film Review
The moment arrives early in Bohemian Rhapsody, a film that doesn't share Mercury's surfeit of incisors; it has none. Which is not to say this conventional, PG-13 portrait of an unconventional ...
Movie Reviews, Articles, Trailers, and more
Metacritic offers aggregated movie reviews from the top critics, and our own METASCORE pinpoints at a glance how each movie was reviewed. X. Games Explore Games BEST GAMES OF 2024 SO FAR 2024 GAME PUBLISHER RANKINGS Xbox Game Pass Best Games This Year Best Games of All Time ...
Avatar movie review & film summary (2009)
They look like specific, persuasive individuals, yet sidestep the eerie Uncanny Valley effect. And Cameron and his artists succeed at the difficult challenge of making Neytiri a blue-skinned giantess with golden eyes and a long, supple tail, and yet--I'll be damned. Sexy. At 163 minutes, the film doesn't feel too long.
Review: Jordan Peele's 'Nope' Gets a Hell Yes
Jordan Peele's genre-melting third feature stars Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer as brother-and-sister horse wranglers defending the family ranch from an extraterrestrial threat.
The Ultimate Movie Genres List
Heroic Bloodshed. This action sub-genre is defined by values like duty, brotherhood, honor, redemption, and the protection of the vulnerable. It was initially created in Hong Kong cinema but has since made its way around the world. Ex. The Killer (1989), Hard Boiled (1992).
Deadpool and Wolverine Review: Reynolds Tries to Save Superhero Movies
As clever as it is cringe-inducing, "Deadpool & Wolverine" makes a surprisingly decent case in defense of its dying genre. That process inevitably led to the creation of a multiverse, which turned ...
Movie Review Essay Examples Papers and Topics
Topics: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Feminism, Holly Golightly, Marx's theory of alienation, Marxism, Movie Review, Sex industry, Sex worker, Social class. 1 2 … 19. Perfect and absolutely free movie review essays. Find the best movie review essay examples and relevant topics for inspiration in our database.
Movie review: Matt Damon, Casey Affleck can't elevate generic ...
Movie review: Matt Damon, Casey Affleck can't elevate generic 'Instigators' By Fred Topel. ... Cobby (Affleck) is the ex-con veteran on the team. As is de rigueur in this genre, the job doesn't go ...
The Batman movie review & film summary (2022)
Matt Reeves ' "The Batman" isn't a superhero movie. Not really. All the trappings are there: the Batmobile, the rugged suit, the gadgets courtesy of trusty butler Alfred. And of course, at the center, is the Caped Crusader himself: brooding, tormented, seeking his own brand of nighttime justice in a Gotham City that's spiraling into ...
Maharaja (2024 film)
Maharaja (transl. The Great King) is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, who co-wrote the script with Raam Murali.It is jointly produced by The Route, Think Studios and Passion Studios. The film stars Vijay Sethupathi in the titular role, alongside Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas, Natarajan Subramaniam, Abhirami Gopikumar, Singampuli, Aruldoss ...
The Stomach-Dropping, Heart-Tugging Appeal of 'Skywalkers' and
A Throwback Amid Blockbusters: Can movies for grown-ups still sell tickets?"Fly Me to the Moon," a period piece with an original script, is a Hollywood experiment. Never the Same Twice: Thanks ...
It movie review & film summary (2017)
Confronting those fears rather than running away is what just might save them. Tonally, "It" feels like a throwback to great King adaptations of yore—particularly "Stand By Me," with its ragtag band of kids on a morbid adventure, affecting bravado and affectionately hassling each other to mask their true jitters.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
Alien: Romulus: Directed by Fede Alvarez. With Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced, Archie Renaux, David Jonsson. While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.
Genre Films From Around The Globe Premiere This Week At ...
The Fantasia International Film Festival will be held from July 18 to August 4, 2024 in Montreal, ... [+] Quebec, Canada. July is an interesting time in the world of genre films. For the casual ...
Pulp Fiction movie review & film summary (1994)
Directed by. Quentin Tarantino is the Jerry Lee Lewis of cinema, a pounding performer who doesn't care if he tears up the piano, as long as everybody is rocking. His new movie "Pulp Fiction" is a comedy about blood, guts, violence, strange sex, drugs, fixed fights, dead body disposal, leather freaks, and a wristwatch that makes a dark journey ...

7.3 Glance at Genre: Criteria, Evidence, Evaluation

Establishing Criteria

Providing Objective Evidence

Modes of Reviews

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Email not verified

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

What to Watch

How to Create the Perfect M. Night Shyamalan Movie

Poll: Vote for Your Most Anticipated Movie of August

Best Movies of 2024

Batman: Caped Crusader Reviews

Poll: Vote for Your Most Anticipated Show of August

Box Office: Deadpool & Wolverine Sets New Record

Best Found Footage Movies

2024 Paris Summer Olympics

Most Anticipated Movies

Summer of Cinema

New & Upcoming In Theaters

WATCH AT HOME

Most Popular Movies In Theaters

Trailers & Videos

Trap , Ponyo , and more

Deadpool & Wolverine

Alien: Romulus

Joker: Folie à Deux

Movie & TV guides

Best-Reviewed Movies by Genre 2020

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

site categories

Sheri Linden

Related Stories

THR Newsletters

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Ultimate Guide to Movie Genres — 90+ Genre Examples for Film & TV

Watch: Movie Genres and Subgenres Explained

Action Genre

Movie Genre Definition

How do you determine a movie genre?

Action Movie Genre List

Action Movie Supercut

Military Action

Wuxia Action

Types of Animation Movies

Animation Genre and History • Subscribe on YouTube

Stop Motion

Computer Generated Imagery

Live-Action

List of Comedy Film Genres

Comedy Genre Scene Supercut

Dark Comedy (Black Comedy)

Romantic Comedy

Buddy Comedy

Road Comedy

Road Comedy Meets Slapstick

3 Types of Satire Explained • Subscribe on YouTube

Sketch Comedy

"Do you wanna go to war, Blake?"

Related Posts

Crime Film Genre List

How to Shoot a Shoutout • Heat vs. The Matrix

Cop (Police)

The Whydunit • Not your typical detective film

Types of Drama Movie Genres

SPOILER ALERT • Drama Genre Scene Supercut

Philosophical Drama

"What happens in a meadow at dusk?"

Legal Drama

Political Drama

Anthropological Drama

"Get that chicken!"

EXPERIMENTAL MOVIE GENRE LIST

Un Chien Andalou — Experimental Cinema Genre

LIST OF FANTASY MOVIE GENRES

Fantasy Genre Supercut

Urban Fantasy

Dark Fantasy

High Fantasy

The Lord of the Rings • The Battle of Minas Tirith

Historical Movie Genre List