What is Anagnorisis — Definition and Examples for Writers

Anagnorisis is a literary device that has been used for centuries to create dramatic turning points in stories. In this article, we will explore the origins of anagnorisis, how it works as a storytelling technique, and some examples of its use in popular works of fiction. Whether you are an aspiring writer or just curious about the art of storytelling, understanding the anagnorisis definition and function can help you appreciate how great stories are crafted and leave a lasting impact on your readers or viewers. Because of the function of anagnorisis, there are major spoilers ahead in this article. Continue reading What…

M. Night Shyamalan Directing Style — Why He’s Underrated

Best Shyamalan MoviesShyamalan's Style ExplainedThe Return of M. Night Shyamalan Love him or hate him, the M. Night Shyamalan directing style is worth studying. He’s made every kind of movie: universally loved, universally loathed, and a few that will endlessly divide audiences. But before he became a punching bag on the internet, Shyamalan was making exciting and confident masterpieces. If he had never found such success, perhaps his fall from grace would have gone unnoticed. For this post, we’re going to focus on the techniques and strategies that Shyamalan did well. The internet might have irreparably damaged Shyamalan’s reputation but…

Horror Movie Tropes — Top 15 Tropes & Why They’re Effective

Horror movies have become subject to some of the most predictable devices and tropes in cinema. While unique filmmakers like Robert Eggers, Ari Aster, and Jordan Peele continue to innovate the genre, new horror films are riddled with horror movie tropes. Although they can still be effective horror storytelling devices, they can also become unremarkable cliches in a film. Let’s take a look at fifteen common horror movie tropes. Fair warning, spoilers ahead!Continue reading Horror Movie Tropes — Top 15 Tropes & Why They’re Effective

Best Plot Twist Movies & Biggest Plot Twists in Movie History

A shocking twist ending is a great way to end a film with a bang but great twists aren’t confined to just the ends of films. The best plot twists catch us off guard, recontextualizing everything we just watched and rewarding subsequent rewatches. There will, of course, be major spoilers to follow, this is your SPOILER WARNING! Without further ado, join us in counting down the 20 best plot twist movies of all time.Continue reading Best Plot Twist Movies & Biggest Plot Twists in Movie History

What is Peripeteia? A Deep Dive Into a Surprising Plot Device

Peripeteia. Is it a synonym for ‘onomatopoeia’?  A fancy potato? A lyric from Mary Poppin’s “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? Excellent guesses, but no. Peripeteia isn’t written sound effects, a special tuber or delightful nonsense from the Poppinverse. So, what is peripeteia? Despite how intimidating it may appear on paper, the peripeteia definition is a simple, but crucial, story element that we will spell out for you. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will be able to not only spell peripeteia but use it, too.Continue reading What is Peripeteia? A Deep Dive Into a Surprising Plot Device

Explore and Read the Best Free Movie Scripts Online (with PDF Downloads)

Introducing StudioBinder's screenplay library — your one-stop-shop for reading, downloading, and analyzing the best movie scripts online. Our collection contains all the feature-length screenplays in our database as well as scripts that we have broken down by plot, character, ending, quotes, and more. Our hope is that screenwriters everywhere can have access to these iconic screenplays and that the lessons therein can make us all better writers. Enjoy!Continue reading Explore and Read the Best Free Movie Scripts Online (with PDF Downloads)