Some natural impulses after watching a movie may be to analyze it to the point of complete madness. If you’ve ever gotten to the stage of asking questions related to character decisions, i.e., “why did they do this? Why didn’t they do that? Why don’t John and Emily just move their kids to the waterfall so they can talk to each other and not be killed by aliens in ‘A Quiet Place‘?” You’re not alone. But somewhere along the way, these questions became extremely wrong examples of plot holes.
The thing is, plot holes do exist, they’re when a story breaks a previously established rule about its own universe and contradicts itself. The problem is, many seem to believe that…. any criticism of a movie, like something that happens off screen that the audience doesn’t see, is a plot hole. Wrong.
In this video essay by a rightly exasperated Patrick h. Willems, an intense takedown of plot holes becomes the focus. Essentially, no one understands what a plot hole is, and yes, it’s maddening. Willems analyzes audiences obsession with the contrived ways they criticize a film. Asking questions and giving examples related to current and classic films, Willems notes logical answers from movies that many believe to have plot holes (they don’t).
Of the points to take away from the video essay, Willems stresses that we live in an illogical world and that humans by nature are completely illogical emotional beings. If we watch films where characters make logical decisions, then there is no incite of drama, no conflict, and no narrative worth following. It doesn’t sound exciting at all. Frankly, that type of film sounds boring. And if we’re constantly looking for answers to questions, will we even enjoy the viewing experience?
Some of the questions posed are valid and deserved to be answered. But Willems doesn’t believe these questions are detrimental to the constructive criticism of a film. In fact, the video essay ends with a takedown of how we got to this point of plot hole obsession. For Willems, it’s a cultural shift on par with technological advancement. Where once plot holes were conversations held on forums, they now have their own youtube videos and listicles on various sites. Somewhere along the way, plot holes worked their way into the mainstream of analysis.
Check out Willems video below for the full break down, and please watch and absorb before you call something out for having a “plot hole.”