Write Your Screenplay Podcast One Battle After Another: What’s your theme?
Oct 17, 2025
Dive into a fascinating analysis where themes take center stage! Discover how a cohesive thematic throughline can elevate character journeys. Explore the motivations behind characters like Perfidia and Lockjaw, and question the film's political resonance. The discussion highlights the importance of believable character choices and reveals unfinished themes that could have made an impact. Lastly, learn rewriting strategies that emphasize character-driven narratives, which can significantly enhance emotional engagement in scripts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Entertainment Without Thematic Glue
- A film can be entertaining yet thematically unclear if characters' journeys don't tie to a central theme.
- Jacob Krueger argues One Battle After Another has thrilling moments but lacks a cohesive thematic throughline.
Meet Your Audience First
- Meet the audience where they are and design a character journey that can shift them toward your intended message.
- Decide who your audience is and build scenes to transform that specific group's beliefs or actions.
Clear Wants Carry Scenes
- Clear character wants drive audience engagement even if other elements falter.
- Krueger notes Perfidia, Bob, and Lockjaw initially have vivid desires but later act to serve plot, not character.