What Is a Movie Review?

A movie review is an evaluation of a particular film that includes a summary of the movie and
any relevant analysis and opinion. Filmgoers commonly use movie reviews to determine whether
they should watch a specific release or better inform their personal opinion after an initial
viewing. A movie review can be a complete, in-depth analysis or a simple blurb sharing a
personal perspective about the film’s events. You can write, record, or film a movie review for
blogs, news publications, entertainment podcasts, radio broadcasts, television, or streaming
platforms.

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How to Write a Movie Review
Here are some general guidelines for writing a movie review:

1. 1. Watch the entire film. It’s important to watch the whole movie before writing your
review, so you have the necessary information to write a thorough, thoughtful piece. If
possible, watch the film more than once, taking notes on different aspects, like
acting, cinematography, music, theme, and narrative arcs. Upon repeat viewings, new
information may come to your attention that influences your opinion, which you can
share with your readers in your review.
2. 2. Start with a hook. Include a strong hook in the introductory paragraph of your review
to retain your reader’s attention. This hook can focus on a unique angle that sets you
apart from other reviewers, a controversial opinion, or a fact or insight about the film or
the attached talent. Learn more about how to write a strong introductory paragraph.
3. 3. Include a general summary. When writing a film review, provide a brief plot
summary to give the reader a general overview of the story and its main characters.
Include the director’s name, the release date, the main actors’ names, and any other
relevant logistical information about the film for your readers’ reference.
4. 4. Establish your opinion. Film reviewers should have enticing, well-informed opinions
about the movies they tackle. Use evidence from the film, like characterization or scene
descriptions, to support and substantiate your claims of good filmmaking or plot holes.
To round out your review, compare the film to others in the genre with similar themes or
events. If the filmmaker primarily makes films from the same genre, draw comparisons
between the movie you’re reviewing and their other works.
5. 5. Evaluate the film. After establishing the facts and analyses, include an overall
evaluation of the material in your review. Share whether you thought the movie
successfully presented its intended theme and storyline and if you would recommend it to
other viewers.
6. 6. Wrap it up. Include a conclusion that wraps up your central idea and ties together
your film analysis in a constructive and cohesive manner. Some reviewers opt to give the
movie a letter grade, passing grade, or percentage score at the end of the review.

5 Tips for Writing a Movie Review

Here are a few tips for aspiring movie reviewers:
1. 1. Take notes. As you watch the film, note any critical elements you want to discuss in
your review. Write down factors that pique your interest, like performance, lighting
choices, music placement, CGI, thematic arcs, and other elements you think the audience
will find interesting.
2. 2. Go further than the storyline. When writing an in-depth movie review, you’ll need to
discuss more than the premise and your general opinion of the project. Include character
analyses and development, unpack the film’s themes, filmmaking style (cinematography),
tone, sound design, story structure, special effects, acting, direction, and pacing.
3. 3. Try to avoid spoilers. If you’re writing a review for a publication, you’ll likely be
required to forgo any material that may spoil the movie’s plot for the reader. If you have
to mention any important plot twists and turns in your review, keep the language as vague
as possible. Research past reviews of popular movies with significant plot twists,
like Fight Club (1999) or Sixth Sense (1999), to see how reviewers addressed those films’
spoilers. If you’re writing an in-depth review aimed at readers who have already watched
the movie, include a spoiler warning at the top of the review.
4. 4. Repeat viewings can be helpful. You may need to view the film more than once to
address all of its elements in your review. Upon repeat viewings, pay attention to
different aspects that you may have missed during your initial viewing. For example,
when viewing the film for a second time, pay attention to the technical aspects (sound,
camera work, etc.). Focus on performance, plot, and direction for the subsequent viewing.
5. 5. Edit. Before you publish or submit your review, edit it for clarity, flow, and
grammatical errors. Read through the review to assess the clarity of your perspective and
cut any redundant information to improve the piece’s flow. Next, check for spelling and
grammatical errors, which can distract readers or make it challenging for them to
understand your analysis.