Writers roast lazy movie cheats
Screenwriters often undermine their narratives by taking shortcuts that audiences immediately recognize, according to writer Brandon McNulty’s recent analysis of common storytelling failures.
McNulty identified nine recurring problems that weaken scripts. Villains who refuse to act when opportunities arise make antagonists appear incompetent rather than threatening. Characters who die and return without explanation eliminate narrative stakes unless clear rules govern resurrection. Comedy inserted after tragic moments tells viewers not to invest emotionally in serious scenes.
Character consistency suffers when writers force personalities to shift suddenly for plot convenience rather than allowing organic development. Audiences deserve information that their point-of-view characters possess, making artificial cliffhangers feel manipulative. Excessive coincidences strain credibility when plots rely on characters repeatedly appearing at convenient locations.
Heroes who survive impossible injuries without consequences remove tension from dangerous situations. Protagonists who master complex skills overnight without training montages or explanation feel unearned. The deus ex machina device, where unexpected saviors resolve impossible situations without prior setup, represents the most egregious shortcut.
McNulty emphasized that effective storytelling requires establishing elements before payoffs occur. Writers must allow characters to solve their own problems through their established abilities rather than resorting to convenient interventions.
