20 Questions

Questions to Ask About a Movie

Engaging questions to spark deeper conversations about movies, from casual discussions to film analysis that reveals personality and taste.

1

What was your favorite scene and why did it stand out to you?

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Why this works

Reveals what emotionally resonates with them and shows their ability to analyze and articulate their feelings about art.

2

If you could change one thing about the movie, what would it be?

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Why this works

Shows critical thinking skills and reveals their values about storytelling, character development, or filmmaking techniques.

3

Which character did you relate to most and why?

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Why this works

Unlocks personal values, experiences, and self-perception by revealing which character traits or struggles they identify with.

4

What genre would you say this movie fits into, and do you usually like this type of film?

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Why this works

Reveals their taste preferences and helps you understand their broader entertainment choices and personality.

5

Was there anything that surprised you or caught you off guard?

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Why this works

Shows their attention to detail and reveals what they find unexpected or noteworthy in storytelling.

6

How would you describe this movie to someone who hasn't seen it?

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Why this works

Tests their communication skills and reveals what aspects of the film they consider most important or memorable.

7

What do you think the director was trying to say with this film?

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Why this works

Reveals their ability to interpret artistic intent and shows their depth of analysis and critical thinking.

8

Did the ending satisfy you, or did you want it to go differently?

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Why this works

Unlocks their preferences for resolution types and reveals their expectations about storytelling and closure.

9

What was the most visually striking moment for you?

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Why this works

Shows their aesthetic sensibilities and reveals what visual elements capture their attention and imagination.

10

If this movie were made in a different time period, how do you think it would change?

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Why this works

Tests their understanding of historical context and reveals their knowledge of how culture affects storytelling.

11

What other movies does this remind you of?

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Why this works

Reveals their film knowledge and shows their ability to make connections between different works of art.

12

Who was your least favorite character and why?

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Why this works

Unlocks their values and moral compass by revealing what traits or behaviors they find objectionable.

13

What was the funniest or most emotional moment for you?

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Why this works

Reveals their sense of humor and emotional triggers, showing what makes them laugh or feel deeply.

14

If you could ask the director one question about this movie, what would it be?

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Why this works

Shows their curiosity and reveals what aspects of filmmaking or storytelling they're most interested in understanding.

15

What do you think the main theme or message of this movie was?

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Why this works

Tests their ability to identify deeper meaning and reveals their values and worldview through their interpretation.

16

Would you recommend this movie to others, and if so, who would enjoy it most?

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Why this works

Shows their ability to match content with audience and reveals their understanding of different tastes and preferences.

17

What was the most unrealistic part of the movie for you?

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Why this works

Reveals their standards for believability and shows their ability to suspend disbelief or their need for realism.

18

If you could be any character from this movie for a day, who would you choose and why?

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Why this works

Unlocks their fantasies and aspirations by revealing which character's life or traits they find appealing.

19

What do you think the soundtrack or score added to the movie?

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Why this works

Shows their appreciation for music in film and reveals their sensitivity to how different elements work together in storytelling.

20

How does this movie compare to the book (if it's based on one) or other adaptations?

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Why this works

Reveals their ability to compare different media and shows their preferences for how stories should be told across platforms.

Mastering Movie Conversations

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices for Movie Discussions

Start with Open-Ended Questions

Begin with broad questions that allow for personal interpretation rather than yes/no answers. This encourages deeper sharing and reveals more about their personality.

Listen for Emotional Responses

Pay attention to what moments or characters trigger strong emotional reactions - these often reveal personal values, experiences, or aspirations.

Ask Follow-Up Questions

When someone mentions a favorite scene or character, ask 'What specifically about that moment appealed to you?' to dig deeper into their reasoning.

Question Sequences

The Character Connection Sequence

1
Which character did you relate to most?
2
What specifically about that character resonated with you?
3
Have you ever been in a similar situation?
4
What would you have done differently?

The Analysis Deep-Dive

1
What do you think the main theme was?
2
How did the director convey that message?
3
What techniques did they use?
4
Was it effective in your opinion?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Judge Their Taste

Avoid making them feel defensive about their preferences. Focus on understanding their perspective rather than critiquing their choices.

Don't Turn It Into a Quiz

This should feel like a natural conversation, not an interrogation. Space out your questions and let the discussion flow naturally.

Don't Assume Shared Knowledge

Not everyone has the same film background. Avoid references to obscure directors or technical terms unless you know they're familiar with them.

Conversation Templates

The Emotional Explorer

1
Step 1: Start with: 'What moment really got to you emotionally?'
2
Step 2: Follow with: 'What was it about that scene that hit you?'
3
Step 3: Deepen with: 'Have you experienced something similar?'

The Critical Thinker

1
Step 1: Begin with: 'What did you think the movie was really about?'
2
Step 2: Ask: 'How did the filmmaker get that message across?'
3
Step 3: Explore: 'Do you think they succeeded?'

Further Reading

"The Art of Conversation" by Catherine Blyth
"How to Talk About Books You Haven't Read" by Pierre Bayard
Film analysis courses on platforms like Coursera or MasterClass

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