Choosing the perfect story title is both a creative and strategic decision. A strong title captures attention, conveys the essence of your story, and sets audience expectations. Explore why titles matter, how they reflect genre and tone, and provide actionable techniques, from wordplay to theme-based approaches, to craft the ideal name.

Few films in 2024 have sparked as much conversation as The Brutalist. Brady Corbet’s sweeping epic is a triumph of ambition, blending history, identity, and artistic struggle into a visually striking narrative. While its first half is near flawless, its latter portion stumbles, leaving us with a film both breathtaking and frustrating.

Anora aims for a dark fairytale but stumbles into a vapid spectacle, with a passive protagonist, underdeveloped stakes, and an identity crisis. Sean Baker’s signature improvisation can’t save its hollow core. Ivan runs, Ani flounders, and we’re left wondering—was there ever a story worth chasing?

Conflict is the engine of storytelling, and external conflicts push characters to their limits. From man vs. man to society, nature, and technology, these clashes shape iconic films like The Hunger Games, The Dark Knight, and Jurassic Park. Discover how these conflicts create urgency, drama, and unforgettable stories!

A great villain elevates a story, embodying moral corruption and challenging the hero at every turn. They have clear motivations and reflect the hero’s fears. Whether a mastermind, brute, or agent of chaos, a well-crafted villain drives conflict and leaves a lasting impact.

The Big Lebowski flips the noir genre on its head, sending a laid-back slacker, The Dude, on a bizarre quest over a peed-on rug. Mistaken identities, nihilists, and ransom schemes unravel into absurdity, proving that ambition is overrated, friendship is priceless, and sometimes, you just gotta abide.

Peter Haughan’s Conclave (2024) brilliantly turns papal politics into a high-stakes chess match, with Cardinal Lawrence caught between faith and ambition. Sharp and suspenseful, the film builds intrigue with precision—until a last-minute twist feels more like divine intervention than deft storytelling.

I entered a screenplay contest hoping for a little recognition—and left with a life-changing question: 'Have you ever thought about directing?' Spoiler alert: I hadn’t. But thanks to Kinolime, their blind submissions, and a pitch meeting that turned into a career pivot, I’m now prepping to direct my first feature film. Turns out, all you need is a script, a little courage, and someone who sees your potential before you do.

David Lynch doesn’t just tell stories; he dreams them, leaving us to stumble through the haze of meaning. Mulholland Drive is a triumph of contradictions—Hollywood glamour and noir grit, dream logic and cold reality, plot threads abandoned like pearls in a car crash. Lynch insists it’s a coherent tale, but let’s face it: it’s more fun as a cinematic Rorschach test. You don’t solve Mulholland Drive; you surrender to it.

Looking to level up your script dialogue? We’re here to help with a crash course in sharp wit, heartfelt exchanges, and tension you can taste. From Double Indemnity to The Lobster, these scripts are your fast-track to crafting unforgettable lines.

Challengers masterfully transforms a niche tennis drama into a poignant exploration of love, rivalry, and obsession. The clever in media res structure, layered subtext, and morally ambiguous choices create a narrative that is urgent, messy, and profoundly human—proving that great stories thrive on characters, not rules.

Breaking into the world of screenwriting can feel like trying to pitch a rom-com to a room full of cynics—it’s an uphill battle riddled with rejection, self-doubt, and coffee stains on your latest draft. But what if there was a competition that didn’t just dangle the dream of Hollywood glitz, but actually put its money where its script is? Enter Kinolime.

Horror fans, take note: Heretic, A24’s latest psychological thriller-turned-slasher, takes bold swings—and misses just as boldly. Its opening act hooks you with taut, cerebral tension, only to unravel in a finale that swaps smarts for blood-soaked mediocrity. A lesson to be learned: a strong setup means nothing without a satisfying resolution.

A Real Pain isn't just a movie; it's a masterclass in weaponizing awkwardness and existential dread for peak entertainment. Jesse Eisenberg takes the "odd couple on a journey" trope and injects it with razor-sharp wit, emotional gut punches, and secondhand embarrassment that makes you want to curl up and die (in the best way). It's like if Seinfeld and Schindler's List had a deeply neurotic baby—and somehow, it works.

Writing a screenplay is an exciting journey that starts with more than just a quirky idea, it begins with a solid story concept that gives your characters purpose and meaningful conflicts to resolve. Remember, your script is not a finished product but a blueprint for a visually striking and emotionally compelling film.

Explore the highs and lows of Gladiator II in this detailed breakdown of its screenplay and storytelling choices. From its strengths, like Pedro Pascal's compelling performance as Acacius, to its shortcomings, including the protagonist's lack of agency, discover why this sequel struggles to live up to its legendary predecessor.

Learn what a spec script is, why it's crucial for breaking into screenwriting, and how to write one that gets noticed. Includes expert tips and common mistakes to avoid.

Explore how Celine Song's 'Past Lives' screenplay breaks traditional screenwriting rules to create an emotional narrative. Learn why its unconventional structure, minimal cast, and dialogue-driven scenes earned an Oscar nom.

Learn how to write better screenplays through expert analysis of film scripts across genres. Includes examples from recent hits like The Holdovers, Barbie, and Past Lives, plus genre-specific writing tips.

A scene-by-scene analysis of how John Hughes' "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" became the definitive Thanksgiving movie, comparing the original script to the film and exploring why this odd-couple journey still resonates after 37 years.