Theme is the core of a screenplay, the fundamental idea that gives the story its depth and resonance. While plot provides the structure and characters drive the action, theme is the message or underlying truth that binds everything together. Without a clear theme, a screenplay can feel aimless, leaving audiences wondering, "What was the point?"
Understanding and effectively utilising theme is crucial to creating a compelling story. Whether you realise it or not, every screenplay has a theme. It may be subtle or overt, but it is always present. The key to great storytelling is being conscious of that theme and weaving it into every aspect of your screenplay.
" There is no reason why challenging themes and engaging stories have to be mutually exclusive - in fact, each can fuel the other. As a filmmaker, I want to entertain people first and foremost. If out of that comes a greater awareness and understanding of a time or a circumstance, then the hope is that change can happen."
Theme is often thought of as the moral, the central message, or the big idea behind a story. However, it can take many forms:
A Premise: An argument or belief that the film is trying to prove (e.g., "True love conquers all" or "Power corrupts").
A Universal Truth: A fundamental aspect of human nature (e.g., "Everyone dies alone" or "We all seek redemption").
A Perspective on a Subject: A way of looking at an issue (e.g., "Fame is fleeting and empty" or "Justice is a matter of perspective").
Regardless of how it manifests, theme is what gives a screenplay meaning beyond its plot. It is the reason an audience connects with a story on an emotional level.
Theme Shapes the Narrative
A strong theme informs every aspect of a screenplay. It dictates the protagonist's journey, the obstacles they face, and the ultimate resolution of the story. Consider The Godfather: its theme—"The ruthless pursuit to protect your family may cause you to lose them"—is present in every scene, influencing the actions of Michael Corleone as he descends into the darkness of his father's empire.
Theme Guides Character Development
The protagonist’s journey is often a direct exploration of the theme. Many great films show the protagonist wrestling with an internal conflict that embodies the central theme. In The Wolf of Wall Street, Jordan Belfort's insatiable greed ultimately leads to his downfall, reinforcing the theme that short-term gain through unethical means leads to long-term ruin.
Theme Determines the Ending
The resolution of a story often solidifies its theme. If the protagonist succeeds, the theme may be optimistic. If they fail, it may be pessimistic. In Se7en, the theme of "the world is a cruel and evil place" is cemented by the film’s bleak ending, where the villain triumphs in his plan.
Theme is Woven into Subtext
The best films do not state their themes outright. Instead, they are revealed through subtext—through action, dialogue, symbolism, and character arcs. Jurassic Park explores the theme "Playing God has dangerous consequences" through its premise, showing the chaos that unfolds when humans attempt to control nature.
If you are struggling to pinpoint the theme of your story, ask yourself the following:
What do I want the audience to feel by the end of the film?
What lesson is my protagonist learning?
What core belief am I exploring or challenging?
How does my story argue its central idea?
Tip #1: Define Your Theme in a Single Sentence
Try to articulate your theme in a clear, concise statement. For example:
"True love requires sacrifice."
"We create our own fate."
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Tip #2: Use Your Theme to Shape Character Arcs
The protagonist's growth (or lack thereof) should reinforce the theme. If your theme is "Honesty leads to true freedom," then your protagonist may begin as a liar who eventually embraces honesty at great personal cost.
Tip #3: Show, Don’t Tell
Avoid explicitly stating your theme in dialogue. Instead, let it emerge naturally through actions and consequences. In Jaws, no one outright says, "Don’t underestimate nature’s power," but we see it in every terrifying encounter with the shark.
Tip #4: Use Symbolism to Reinforce Theme
Visual and narrative symbols can subtly reinforce theme. In Breaking Bad, Walter White’s gradual shift from wearing light colors to darker tones visually represents his descent into moral corruption.
Tip #5: Let Conflict Test the Theme
Great screenplays explore both sides of a theme. If your theme is "Love conquers all," show moments where love seems powerless, forcing characters to struggle before ultimately proving the theme right (or wrong).
Tip #6: Align Theme with Genre
Different genres lend themselves to different themes. For instance:
Horror often explores themes of survival, morality, or human fear.
Sci-fi frequently examines ethical dilemmas, technological consequences, or humanity’s future.
Romance delves into love, connection, and heartbreak.
Theme is the heart of your screenplay. It informs your characters, story, and dialogue. A well-developed theme creates a story that resonates long after the credits roll. Whether it’s optimistic, pessimistic, or ironic, your theme should be a guiding force in your writing process.
As you develop your screenplay, keep asking yourself: "What is my story REALLY about?" The answer to that question will shape your theme, and your theme will shape your story.
Theme is the foundation of any compelling story. It is the underlying message, the moral argument, and the driving force behind character arcs and narrative structure. While many novice screenwriters focus on plot and dialogue, the most powerful stories resonate because of their thematic depth. John Yorke’s Into the Woods and John Truby’s The Anatomy of Story offer invaluable insights into the importance of theme in storytelling, helping writers craft narratives that are not only engaging but also deeply meaningful.
This guide explores how theme functions in screenwriting, incorporating the principles outlined by Yorke and Truby. We will cover:
Defining Theme in Storytelling
John Yorke’s Perspective on Theme
John Truby’s Approach to Theme
How Theme Shapes Character Arcs
Weaving Theme into Structure
Thematic Conflict and Opposing Worldviews
Practical Steps for Strengthening Theme in a Screenplay
Theme is the central idea that a story explores. It is not simply a topic (like “love” or “power”) but rather an argument about that topic. For example, a theme is not just “justice” but rather “justice is only achieved when individuals take responsibility for their actions.”
A well-developed theme answers the fundamental question: What is this story really about?
Many successful films have strong thematic cores:
The Shawshank Redemption: Hope prevails in the face of oppression.
The Dark Knight: Chaos vs. order and the ethical dilemmas of heroism.
Parasite: The illusion of class mobility and social inequality.
Theme informs every creative decision, from character motivations to plot developments and dialogue choices.
In Into the Woods, John Yorke argues that theme is the glue that holds a story together. He highlights the following key principles:
Theme is discovered through structure: The shape of a story naturally reveals its deeper meaning.
All great stories explore a fundamental question: Stories must revolve around a thematic debate.
Theme is reinforced through contrast: A protagonist and antagonist embody competing worldviews.
Yorke emphasises that every story is, at its heart, a moral argument. It presents a worldview and then systematically tests that worldview through character choices and conflicts.
Example: In Breaking Bad, Walter White’s transformation explores the theme of power and corruption. Initially, he believes he is cooking meth “for his family.” Over time, the story systematically dismantles this justification, revealing his true desire for power and control.
John Truby takes an even more intricate approach to theme in The Anatomy of Story. He argues that theme should not be a separate element layered onto a story but rather something that emerges organically from character and plot.
Truby’s core principles on theme:
A strong theme arises from character weakness and transformation.
Every major character represents a different approach to the central moral problem.
Theme is expressed through moral dilemmas.
Truby sees theme as the foundation of a story’s “moral argument.” Instead of telling the audience what to think, the story presents multiple perspectives and allows the audience to engage with the question.
Example: The Godfather presents multiple views on power and loyalty. Michael Corleone’s journey from an idealistic outsider to a ruthless crime boss explores the theme of family obligation versus personal morality.
Both Yorke and Truby emphasize that theme is most powerfully expressed through character change.
A protagonist’s arc is usually defined by:
A flaw or weakness that prevents them from achieving true fulfillment.
A belief system that is challenged throughout the story.
A transformation that reveals the story’s ultimate thematic statement.
Example: In Joker, Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness and violence embodies the theme of societal neglect and its consequences. His transformation is not just a plot point—it is a statement on how cruelty and alienation breed chaos.
Yorke’s five-act structure and Truby’s organic storytelling both stress that theme should be interwoven into every narrative beat.
Yorke’s Five-Act Structure & Theme:
Act 1 (Setup): Introduces the thematic question.
Act 2 (Escalation): Tests the protagonist’s beliefs.
Act 3 (Midpoint Crisis): Forces a deeper confrontation with the theme.
Act 4 (Climax): The ultimate test of the protagonist’s transformation.
Act 5 (Resolution): Concludes the thematic argument.
Truby’s Thematic Integration:
Truby suggests plotting a story by identifying key moments where the theme is tested through character decisions.
Example: In Black Swan, Nina’s journey is structured around her battle with artistic perfection, her mother’s control, and her own self-destruction, reinforcing the theme of identity and sacrifice.
A strong theme emerges through conflict, particularly when different characters represent opposing beliefs.
Protagonist and Antagonist as Thematic Opposites: The villain often represents a distorted version of the protagonist’s fears or weaknesses.
Supporting Characters as Thematic Variations: Side characters can embody different perspectives on the central theme.
Example: The Dark Knight uses Batman and the Joker to explore chaos versus order. Harvey Dent serves as a thematic midpoint, showing what happens when a person strays too far toward either extreme.
To ensure theme is deeply embedded in a screenplay, screenwriters can follow these steps:
Identify the Central Theme Early: What moral argument is your story making?
Create Thematic Contrast in Characters: Assign different perspectives on the theme to various characters.
Use Symbolism and Recurring Motifs: Reinforce theme visually and through dialogue.
Ensure Each Major Scene Relates to the Theme: Every significant moment should either challenge or reinforce the thematic message.
Let the Audience Interpret the Theme: Avoid heavy-handed exposition; instead, allow the story to explore multiple viewpoints.
Theme is not just an intellectual exercise—it is the emotional and philosophical core of a screenplay. By following the insights of John Yorke and John Truby, screenwriters can craft stories that resonate on a deeper level.
Yorke’s structured approach ensures that theme is reinforced through story beats, while Truby’s organic method integrates theme into character transformation and moral dilemmas. Together, these methods provide a powerful toolkit for writers seeking to create narratives that are not only entertaining but also meaningful.
In the end, the best films don’t just tell a story—they say something profound about the world and the human experience. By mastering theme, screenwriters can elevate their work, creating stories that linger in the minds of audiences long after the credits roll.