Writing Without Rules: Deep Dives

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‘The Boys’: The Exhaustion of Possibilities
When your plot is all about explaining why something doesn’t happen.
2
No Problem Too Small: ‘The Gentlemen’ and Just-in-Time Plotting
The logistics of Guy Ritchie’s adaptation of his own film show why plot is hard.
3
‘Dune Part 2’: How to Gesture Vaguely at Everything
How do you tell a story like Dune in a mere (checks notes) five hours? You reduce most of it to hints.
1
You Are There: Subtle Fourth Wall Breaks
Breaking the fourth wall is usually a loud, gonzo writing trick. But sometimes it’s an elegant grace note you might not even consciously notice.

June 2024

‘Under the Skin’ and a Perfect Scene
One of the creepiest movies ever made offers an unsettlingly alien POV.
1
‘Madame Web’ and The Lazy Writer’s Guide to Bad Stories
Woof.
2
‘Talk To Me’: The Cruelty Is the Point
This low-budget horror movie hits hard when you pause to consider the implications.
‘Late Night with the Devil’ and One Weird Trick
This surprisingly effective horror flick masterfully recreates the 1970s and plays a dirty trick on its audience along the way.
4

May 2024

Isolate, Gaslight, Abuse: ‘Baby Reindeer’ Works the POV
Richard Gadd’s buzzy story of stalking, sexual assault, and self-hatred plays a trick as old as time, and plays it well.
1
‘Fallout’ and Making Serial Structures Work
Prime’s adaptation of a video game works because it’s really just three post-apocalyptic movies standing on each other’s shoulder wearing a coat.
Rhyme the Rhyme Well: ‘Red Rocket’
A terrific character study about a terrible person closes the loop.
2
‘The Good Place’ and Weaponizing Tropes
The greatest twist in sitcom history works because it was camouflaged in plain view the whole time.
© 2024 Jeff Somers
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