this post was submitted on 18 Feb 2025
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All movies have a story. This happens, then that happens, then that happens. That's a story.
But IMO, what often separates a good story from a dull one are the thematic elements.
The theme is the big narrative idea into which everything else slots. It drives the plot. It defines the character's motivations and creates stakes. It creates tension and makes character's actions feel like they have purpose.
We need a great story, but good story comes from solid themes.
Sure mate, I mean Stephen King says this:
But what does he know?
Fair points. If we are quoting King then he also said in "On Writing" just a paragraph or so after your quote:
I may not have been right in saying the story /comes/ from the theme, but I very much stand by the notion that solid themes are required, even if the theme does not come first.
King also said:
As the story is written and progresses, conscious work is needed to refine the theme and draw it out, and good works always are about something that is bigger and richer than the basic story beats.
To the original argument on superhero movies then, the writer's opinion that we need good themes is still something I very much agree with.
But then, good story and characters are extremely important as the prerequisite, because a strong theme without a strong foundation is nothing.
Which is to say that absolutely, you are right that theme is important because ultimately theme is context.
I do wonder how much of this belongs, not to the creator, but to the viewer/reader.
There's that great example with Ray Bradbury telling people that Fahrenheit 451 was not about fascism until someone pointed out to him how it absolutely was.