Why Some Movies Capture Us—and Others Just Play in the Background
How a childhood lesson on end credits shaped my view of films, plus a review of The Wonder’s controversial opening scene.
I’m back, and this week I’m talking about my very first movie theater experience and a recent movie I watched with a controversial opening scene.
Before End-Credit Scenes Were a Thing
This was back before end-credit scenes even existed. So it’s just us in the theater, grumbling and shifting in our seats like we’re in timeout.
“Mom! This is ridiculous,” my sisters and I whine in perfect harmony.
She spins around, giving us the look. “Ridiculous? Really? These people worked hard on this movie—hours, weeks, years of their lives. The least we can do is respect them enough to stay to the end. We’re supporting the arts, girls. Think of it as an act of cultural heroism.”
We sigh and sink back into our seats, knowing there’s no arguing with that.
So we wait—for the most agonizing five minutes and twenty-six seconds of our lives.
I’m eight years old, just stepping out of the movie theater after seeing my very first movie in America—The Lion King. What an introduction to movie theaters.
That was only the beginning. Since then, I have thanked my mom at least a dozen times for making us stay through the end credits every time we went to the theaters. Especially now, since I’m one of those names crawling across the screen.
For this reason today’s gifs will be unofficially sponsored by The Lion King.
Discovering The Wonder - A Captivating Opening?
These days, few movies seem to draw me in and move me the way The Lion King did when I was eight. I remember when that’s what movies were meant to do—captivate you, transport you. Now, with so much “content” being churned out, finding a film or show that truly resonates feels rare.
Not long ago, I wasn’t feeling well and decided to lie down. Even then, I still find ways to squeeze in “research.” I call it that because it sounds better than “I try to watch as many films and shows as possible whenever I get the chance. Which isn’t often.” Admittedly, I don’t always get to sit and watch (don’t judge me for that!); sometimes I just listen. But as someone working in the industry, you can learn a lot from listening alone: how to craft meaningful dialogue, develop pacing, and understand what truly matters in a story. And, perhaps most importantly, how to write for an audience that might be listening more than watching. I know I’m not the only one who tunes in this way—plenty of people watch on their tiny screens or have shows on in the background while multitasking.
Shoot I lost my train to thought, ok so I was laying down…I put on a movie to listen to while resting. But the opening scene caught me so intensely that I ended up watching it all the way through.
The movie is The Wonder streaming on Netflix.
At first, I couldn’t believe it. I’d seen the trailer and knew it was a historical drama. Yet the opening shot was a glimpse of the film set itself. Did I click on the wrong link? Is this some behind-the-scenes feature? I was confused… until Florence Pugh’s voice, as her character, began speaking directly to me. That’s when I stayed, and soon enough, I found myself fully transported into the world of the story.
That unconventional opening has sparked quite a bit of online discussion. Click the link below, and you’ll see comment after comment debating whether that choice was brilliant or distracting. This article also talks about the devide of opinion about the opening.
Personally, I loved it. It was bold, intriguing, and, yes, it made me stop and think. But more importantly, it made me lean in. Hats off to director Sebastián Lelio for taking a risk that truly paid off.
Once I was in, I was fully hooked. The acting is impeccable. Florence Pugh is magnetic in her role. Now, I’ll be honest—Florence and I, we’ve had our ups and downs. Some roles, I’m sold; others, not so much. But here? She’s committed like it’s a Netflix binge-worthy weekend. She’s giving you that “I’m in this 100%, and you better be too” energy, and I’m buying every single frame of it. (And, let’s face it, with a name like Florence, my grandmother’s name, she is halfway to my good graces anyway!)
And then there’s Kristina Hetherington’s editing. Oh my stars, it’s chef’s kiss perfection. The pacing is so spot-on it’s like the film equivalent of a perfectly timed coffee refill. She’s cutting at just the right moments—never too soon, never too late. Seamless, like she’s reading your mind, knowing exactly when you need a little more, when you’re ready to move on.
And we have to talk about Ari Wagner’s cinematography. I mean, she’s clearly going for the gold here. Every shot is so beautiful, it’s almost rude—like, “How dare you be this good?” The lighting, the framing, the whole atmosphere just sucks you in like you’ve signed an unbreakable contract to stay glued to the screen. Wegner’s crafted something that’s more than pretty; it’s immersive. Each shot draws us further into the story’s world, amplifying the atmosphere and grounding us in the film’s historical setting while adding layers of emotional depth.
The Wonder isn’t just a movie; it’s an experience. And with each of these elements—direction, acting, editing, cinematography—it becomes something truly memorable.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Do you love or hate the opening scene? Have you ever thought of trying something like this?
Until next time,
Shawna Carroll
PS: Next week I’ll be back with a personal story of my journey in the industry.
What I’m reading on sub stack this week:
I’ll start with a happy one. For a holiday movie recommendation that’s both funny and heartwarming, check out Christopher Lloyd’s review of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever on Film Yap. He serves up a charmingly honest take on this tale of rowdy kids and reluctant churchgoers, promising a slow start but a payoff that'll leave you misty-eyed and ready for the holiday spirit. Yes my Christmas tree is already up🎄.
Next I read this article from Audrey Knox. She outlines five paths to screenwriting success, ranging from leveraging nepotism (yes it is still very much alive) and film school networks to honing a standout script or embracing the indie hustle. Each path offers unique challenges and opportunities, but the bottome line is there is no clear or easy route to Hollywood. Don’t waste money on courses that promise to “break you in” to the industry. That’s not a thing, hard work and networking are the only true ways.
I tried to track down the human behind this publication, but no luck—so KLM, if you’re out there reading this, I’d love to know who’s pulling the strings behind this gem! Now, onto my thoughts. The writer dives into that all-too-familiar moment we’ve all had—contemplating whether to throw in the towel and quit the industry. They lay out the exhausting hurdles of film production and marketing, while also sharing a heartwarming win: attending the White House ceremony for the National Medal of the Arts (and casually meeting Steven Spielberg—no big deal 💁🏻♀️). Despite the doubt, the stress, and the never-ending challenges, the writer gives us a pep talk we didn’t know we needed, urging creatives to keep pushing forward and following their passion. So, take a deep breath and hold tight to that dream—it's worth the ride.