9 Fictional Deaths That Absolutely Wrecked Us

Some fictional deaths fade with time. Others never do. They wait patiently, resurfacing when a theme song plays, a quote circulates online, or a rewatch catches you off guard. These aren’t moments designed to shock or pad a body count. They’re the losses that feel uncomfortably personal. Quiet, inevitable, and rooted in love rather than spectacle, they linger long after the screen goes dark. This ranking isn’t about who mattered most to the plot. It’s about who broke something in us and never quite gave it back.

“Happily Ever After”: Why We Still Can’t Quit These Classic Love Stories

From glass slippers to stolen glances, classic love stories promise a world where devotion is rewarded and endings are forever sweet. Even as modern romance grows more complicated, these tales still shimmer with possibility, reminding us that hope, longing, and the belief in “happily ever after” never truly go out of style.

Movies That Aged Badly: 8 Popular Films That Don’t Hold Up Today

Not every popular movie ages the way audiences expect. As cultural conversations evolve, some once-celebrated films reveal blind spots that are harder to ignore on rewatch, becoming clear examples of movies that aged badly over time. From box-office hits to awards-season favorites, these movies didn’t hold up as well as their reputations suggested.

Intertextuality: The Ancient Secrets of How Stories Talk to Each Other

This guide is designed as a comprehensive, long-form resource on intertextuality—a term that sounds academic, but is something we engage with every time we recognize a reference, a homage, or a twist on a familiar story.

Why “The Chosen One” Trope Still Works (When Done Right)

The “Chosen One” trope never really left. It just learned new tricks. When handled with care, it’s less about destiny handed down from the heavens and more about pressure, doubt, and the cost of being singled out. The stories that still resonate aren’t asking who was born special, but what it means to carry that label and survive it intact.

The Physics of Impossible Things: Why Impossible Stories Make Sense in Fictional Worlds

Every impossible story runs on rules. They don’t need to be realistic, but they do need to be consistent. Break the logic, and the magic leaks out. Belief isn’t suspended in fiction. It’s engineered.

10 Terrifying Fictional Worlds You Would Never Want to Live In

Explore 10 terrifying fictional worlds—from the Upside Down to Panem and the Warp—where survival is impossible, monsters lurk everywhere, and reality suddenly looks pretty great.

philosophy of the force is exhibited most in the force ghosts, depicting the metaphysical nature of the force

The Philosophy of the Force: A Cosmic Tapestry of Balance and Harmony

Let’s study the philosophy of the force. It emerges as a mystical energy but also a profound philosophy weaving through existence.

Top 6 Contemporary Adaptations of Classic Literature

These literary masterpieces, penned by authors long past, have continued to captivate readers for centuries, resonating with universal themes and insights into the human condition.

The Evolution of Fictional Heroes: From Sherlock Holmes to Modern Icons

Fictional heroes have been an integral part of literature since time immemorial, captivating readers with their extraordinary abilities, moral dilemmas, and relentless pursuit of justice.

Underrated Comic Book Villains Who Deserve More Spotlight

The vast world of comics is filled with lesser-known antagonists who are just as compelling, if not more so, than their famous counterparts. These underrated villains possess rich backstories, unique powers, and the potential to become the next big threat in their respective universes.

Villains Beyond the Sith: Exploring Non-Force Sensitive Antagonists

Amidst the iconic Sith Lords and powerful Force-sensitive adversaries, there exists a rich tapestry of non-Force sensitive villains who have played pivotal roles in the unfolding drama.

The Cinematic Brilliance of David Fincher: A Retrospective

David Fincher, a name synonymous with cinematic brilliance, has etched his mark on the world of film.

A fan favorite theory is the laughable Jar Jar Binks was actually a Sith Lord all along.

Beyond the Galactic Saga: Unraveling 11 Fan Theories More Captivating Than the Star Wars Prequels

As the galaxy far, far away continues to expand through the minds of passionate fans, the wealth of creative interpretations and speculative ideas has given rise to a new frontier of storytelling.

Dystopian Fiction in a Changing World: Reflecting Society’s Fears and Hopes

Dystopian fiction has long been a compelling and thought-provoking genre in literature, offering a glimpse into possible dark futures.

The Art of Adaptation: Successful Video Game to Movie Adaptations

The synergy between video games and movies has captivated audiences for decades.

However, the journey from controller to camera has often been fraught with challenges and disappointments.

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28 Best Trapped Movies of All Time

If you’ve ever been stuck indoors and driven stir crazy from lack of social interaction, these trapped movies help you feel not so alone.

Book to Movie Adaptations: From Page to Screen

Adapting a book into a film is a daunting task, primarily because the two mediums have distinct storytelling methods.

A collage of various comics from Star Wars to Batman.

The Influence of Comics on Pop Culture: From Panels to Blockbusters

Comics, with their colorful heroes, vivid villains, and thought-provoking narratives, have emerged as a cultural superpower, leaving an indelible mark on society’s collective imagination.

Batman's The Joker, from the graphic novel by Alan Moore, The Killing Joke, laughing maniacally.

The Psychology of Villains: What Makes a Memorable Antagonist?

What is it about villains that makes them so compelling? The answer lies in the complex psychology of villains.

Han Shot First, or the Importance of Han Solo’s Journey from Antihero to Hero

Han shooting first is much more in line with his rogue nature and reinforces his character development throughout the original trilogy.

The Gluttonous Glory: Jabba the Hutt is the Ultimate Hedonistic Icon of a Galaxy Far, Far Away

This corpulent, slug-like crime lord may not fit the traditional mold of a hedonist icon, but just take a look at his lifestyle and values.

Marvel’s Majors Problem: Innocent Until Canceled

Recent developments in Majors’ personal life have raised questions about how these developments could potentially affect the future of the MCU.

2023 WGA Strike: A Guide to the Labor Dispute Freezing Hollywood

In May 2023, Hollywood once again found itself at the center of a storm as the Writers Guild of America embarked on a strike that reverberated throughout the entertainment industry.

Unveiling the Disparity: Women’s Limited Speaking Roles in Modern Films

Despite the growing recognition of the importance of gender parity, many movies still fall short in providing substantial speaking opportunities for female characters.

Ben Solo Deserved Better

The title of Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of the Skywalker, the purported last of the Skywalker saga, is a bit of a slap in the face.

11 Best Examples of an Unreliable Narrator in Fiction

In the vast realm of fiction, one narrative technique that continues to captivate readers and challenge perceptions is an unreliable narrator.

Jordan Peele’s Nope and the Power of Eye Acting

Daniel Kaluuya’s eyes carry so much charisma, Jordan Peele’s horror sci-fi Nope managed to accomplish a 21st century impossibility.

TV Adaptations: 10 Terrible Movies That Could Be Great Shows

Many failed movies could benefit with extra running time. Let’s take a look at 10 terrible movies better suited as prestige TV series.

What is Speculative Fiction: A Complete Guide to the Encompassing Genre

You might be asking yourself what is speculative fiction? Speculative Fiction is a super-genre of fiction. But let’s dive even deeper.

Army of the Dead VFX Team Dishes on the Zack Snyder Zombie Heist Film

We sat down with some of Framestore’s key Army of the Dead VFX artists to chat about putting together this action-packed visual feast.

Filipino Movies: 21 Best Films of All Time from Philippine Cinema

In this article, we examine Filipino movies and Philippine cinema, arguably one of the more underappreciated industries in Southeast Asia.

Fiction Genres: Every Genre & Sub-Genre (2025)

Fiction genres are much debated and revised, but they’re crucial to providing logical order to the storytelling arts.

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10 Movies That Need A Sequel But Don’t Have One

Franchises rule the movie marquee, but there are still movies that need a sequel but don’t have one. Here’s our top 10 picks.

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Movie Soundtracks: How 6 Iconic Films Found Their Music

Here’s a look into how filmmakers select the perfect songs to complement their work and a breakdown of a few iconic movie soundtracks.

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90s Action Movies: 10 Best Action Films Underrated for Far Too Long

For 90s action movies, cinema moved away from the musclebound giants of yesteryear and embraced more relatable heroes.

best buddy cop movies ever - 21 jump street - channing tatum and jonah hill as undercover cops in a highschool pretending to be teenagers, vomiting up drugs they ingested as a way to blend in.

Buddy Cop Movies: 10 Best Police Pairings of All Time (2022)

The best buddy cop movies are, at their core, great action movies. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best buddy cop movies ever.

box office flops - willy wonka & the chocolate factory

Box Office Flops: 10 Great Movies That Were A Financial Failure

Not all box office flops are made equal. Our proof? These 10 fantastic films that flopped financially in their original theatrical releases.

Sci-Fi Horror Movies: 10 Frightening Films That Make You Think

Looking back at science fiction film history, we see that its roots are dug deep and tied together with into sci-fi horror movies.

Monochrome: The Chromism Worth More Than Its Budget (Review)

Monochrome: The Chromism’s crew is a genuine group of people who came together around a passion project to make something ambitious and different on a shoestring budget of $2,000.

the shining and doctor sleep door scenes

The Shining and Doctor Sleep: A Halloween Double Feature (Review)

The Shining and Doctor Sleep are Stephen King’s latest seemingly complete saga, years apart in the making but just as chilling.

Alien – Fictionphile Podcast #22

In this episode of the Fictionphile Podcast, the crew analyzes why the movie Alien is a work of art.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – Fictionphile Podcast #20

In this episode of the Fictionphile Podcast, the crew analyzes why the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a work of art.

Denis Villenueve’s Dune Trailer Drops, Features “Dark Side of the Moon” Cover

A new Dune trailer dropped on Wednesday for Denis Villeneuve’s epic reboot of the famous science fiction story by Frank Herbert.

machine gun kelly on fire human torch style in project power vfx shot

Project Power VFX Artists Share How They Pulled Off the Netflix Original’s Superb Visuals

Project Power’s VFX is clearly one of the stars of the Netflix original movie, alongside Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

The Dark Knight Rises – Fictionphile Podcast #18

In this episode of the Fictionphile Podcast, the crew analyzes why The Dark Knight Rises is a work of art.

The Dark Knight – Fictionphile Podcast #17

In this episode of the Fictionphile Podcast, the crew analyzes why The Dark Knight is a work of art.

Batman Begins – Fictionphile Podcast #16

In this episode of the Fictionphile Podcast, the crew analyzes why Batman Begins is a work of art.

The Shawshank Redemption – Fictionphile Podcast #15

In this episode of the Fictionphile Podcast, the crew analyzes why The Shawshank Redemption is a work of art.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) podcast

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) – Fictionphile Podcast #14

In this episode of the Fictionphile Podcast, the crew analyzes why Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) is a work of art.

The Fifth Element – Fictionphile Podcast #13

In this episode of the Fictionphile Podcast, the crew analyzes why The Fifth Element is a work of art.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back – Fictionphile Podcast #5

In this episode of the Fictionphile Podcast, the crew analyzes why Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is a work of art.

Conan the Barbarian - Heavily Philosophical Movies

10 Philosophical Movies to Watch Right Now

Philosophy shapes every action in our lives, whether we recognize and understand it or not.

Denis Villeneuve Movies: Your Complete Watching Guide

If you haven’t seen all or any of director Denis Villeneuve’s movies, make the filmmaker’s catalog a priority on your watch list.

Jojo Rabbit Expands America’s Collective Memory of World War II

Taika Waititi’s 2019 film Jojo Rabbit expands society’s collective memory of World War II.

Christine (1983) More than a Killer Car Movie (Review)

Proceedings start slowly with Christine, as two high school friends, Arnie the geek and Dennis the jock, navigate life through high school.

Bong Joon-Ho Movies: Your Complete Viewing Guide

This past award season, we bet there is one name you’ve probably heard more than any other: South Korean director and auteur Bong Joon-Ho.

Sci Fi Armor: 6 Best of All-Time

Often times in science fiction we tend to eschew sci fi armor and instead focus on the ships, creatures, gadgetry, big flashy guns, and legally distinct laser swords.

10 Best Psychological Thrillers of the 21st Century (So Far)

Psychological thrillers leverage the complexity of the human brain, which allows them to tap into infinite possibilities.

Warner Max formed by HBO and Warner Studios

HBO & WB Form Warner Max Label to Make Original Streaming Content

HBO Max’s May 2020 premiere was already anticipated, but with Warner Max it’s clear WarnerMedia will enter the streaming wars guns blazing.

A Star is Born - Laura Mulvey - Bradley Cooper Lady Gaga

Remaking Sexism: Female Representation in A Star is Born

When analyizing A Star is Born (2018) using Laura Mulvey’s Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema it’s clear the narrative is inherently sexist.

Macbeth & Structure: Shakespeare’s Proto-Blockbuster

When Shakespeare’s great tragedies are brought up, including Macbeth, we often focus on literary merits, but what about plot structure?

Have Religious Movies Fallen Out of Favor?

Religious movies have fallen in popularity at the box office in recent decades. But what caused the rise and fall of these religious epics?

20 Best Upcoming Sci Fi Movies, TV & Books (2020)

At Fictionphile, we’re pretty big science fiction nerds, so it’s only natural that we keep a close eye on upcoming sci fi across all of fiction’s mediums.

2020 Oscar Nominations: Joker Big Winner, Gerwig Snubbed

The 2020 Oscar Nominations were announced this morning for the 92nd Academy Awards, and Joker received the most nominations with 11 nods, including Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role, and Directing.

10 Action Movie Cliches Picked by a Nitpick

There is a rumor that I am a picky person, perhaps even worse, a nitpicky person. Some would say this especially applies when it comes to action movie cliches.

Aeschylus: Ancient Greece’s Father of Dialogue and Drama

If you ever loved a movie, play, TV show, or book–anything with dialogue–take a moment and thank Aeschylus. Not convinced? Let’s talk.

Deadpool Now A Disney Princess – Reynolds Confirms MCU Deadpool 3

Disney buying Fox shook up the state of the evolving Fox comic book universe, claiming victims like X-Men. Yet, strangely enough, it seems Deadpool 3 has survived the purge.

Slim Pickens in final shootout in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid: Lord Take This Badge Off of Me (Analysis)

Hunting Kris Kristofferson in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, James Coburn enlists Slim Pickens and María Cristina Estela Marcela Jurado García — or the Mexican actress Katy Jurado, for short.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Spoiler Free Review)

As a long-time fan of the Star Wars series, ever since I was introduced to it in the 90’s, I was enamored with the aesthetic of glowing laser swords, massive mechanical marvels, mysterious ancient orders, and strange-looking puppets dressed up as aliens.