Why “Theme” Is the One Thing Your Script Can’t Live Without
It took me eight years of professional screenwriting to learn this one truth: theme isn’t optional.
It’s the core of your story. Without it, even the most high-concept plot will fall flat. You can have clever twists, great dialogue, and stunning visuals, but if your script doesn’t mean something—if it doesn’t leave your audience thinking or feeling—it won’t stick.
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A Great Example of Theme Succeeding… And Failing.
I recently, accidentally watched two nearly identical sci-fi films: Contact (1997) and The Arrival (1996)—(not to be confused with Arrival starring Amy Adams).
Both movies have the same basic plot: a misunderstood scientist hears radio signals from another planet, and their quest for the truth about aliens puts them in danger.
I would never (publicly) criticize another creative’s work, however, it is clear from watching these in tandem what critical thing The Arrival lacked that Contact succeeded… and it’s not Jodi Foster.
One had a strong, resonant theme. And the other didn’t.
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Why Theme Matters:
Theme is what your story is really about beneath the plot. It’s the emotional or philosophical heartbeat driving the action.
In Contact, yes, the plot centers around first contact with extraterrestrial life, but the theme is about loneliness, faith, loss, and the human longing for connection in an indifferent universe. That’s what makes it powerful. That’s why it still is a masterpiece 30 years later.
The biggest genre offenders for not having a clearly defined theme are sci-fi and horror movies. But monsters and aliens can not make up for an undefined theme.
Don’t believe me? Think about movies like Jurassic Park, Sinners, Get Out, Arrival (now I’m talking about the Amy Adams one), and Interstellar. All great movies, but made better by having a clear thesis throughout.
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What Is Theme, Really?
Theme is not just a word like "love" or "revenge." It’s your story’s deeper message—an argument or exploration of an idea. Think of it as the lens through which every moment of your story is filtered. A theme can be a question (“Can faith and science coexist?”) or a using the example of Jurassic Park, the theme is “Man Shouldn’t Play God.”
Your stories theme should emerge through your character arcs, your central conflict, and even your resolution.
Writers often mistake theme for a vague idea or forgetting it entirely.
What Happens Without It:
Scripts without theme feel hollow. They might be fast-paced and technically solid, but they leave the audience thinking, "So what?" How many sci-fi movies have you seen that have all the cool tech, crazy monsters, but just… don’t… really… engage you?
Plot tells us what happens. Theme tells us why it matters. When your script lacks that meaning, it lacks emotional weight—and that’s what gets people invested.
What to Do Instead:
Interstellar (2014)
Start with theme. Ask yourself: what am I really trying to say? What belief, question, or emotional truth sits at the heart of this story?
Then let that guide your characters, your structure, and even your genre tropes. Everything should orbit — no pun intended — around the theme.
Closing:
Theme is tnon-negotiable. The soul of your script. Don’t treat it like an afterthought. Build from it, and your story will not only work—it will resonate.
Want help clarifying the theme of your WIP? Drop it in the comments or reach out for one-on-one coaching.
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