Archive - Writing Without Rules: Deep Dives

May 2025

‘Babygirl’ and The Character Vacuum

Part of a story’s job is to make you care about the characters.

May 27

‘The Last of Us’ Season 2: YMMV

Killing off a major character is always a risk, and this time it probably won’t pay off.

May 20

‘The Conclave’ is Just a Thriller in Costume

The Oscar-nominated film about electing a new Pope is a locked-room mystery in robes.

May 13

‘Companion’ and Timing the Twist

Companion is a fun story involving a sex robot that makes two pretty smart storytelling choices.

May 6

April 2025

‘The White Lotus’ and Dumb Character Syndrome

Sometimes your characters have to suffer temporary brain damage to get your plot where you want it to be.

Apr 29

‘Y2K’: Premise and Nothing Else

This dumb comedy didn’t have to be quite so dumb, but all they care about is the concept.

Apr 22

‘Joker: Folie à Deux’: Reversing the Interest Polarity

The sequel is a tedious, boring affair because it does the character arc backwards.

Apr 15

‘Wolfs’ and Charismatic Personality Disorder

Wolfs’ two lead characters are just Brad Pitt and George Clooney in leather jackets.

Apr 8

‘The Apartment’ and Visual World-building

Billy Wilder’s 1960 classic takes place in just a few sets and yet it sings with visual detail.

Apr 1

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