Best Examples of Critical Analysis Essay Examples on Film

Before worrying about structure or thesis statements, it helps to look at examples of critical analysis essay examples on film that students and scholars actually write. Notice how each one focuses on a clear angle instead of trying to cover everything.

Think about these as models you can borrow from, not templates you must copy.

Example of a Character and Class Analysis: Parasite (2019)

One of the strongest examples of critical analysis essay examples on film in the last few years focuses on Bong Joon‑ho’s Parasite. A solid essay on this film might argue that the house itself functions as a visual map of class division.

Instead of just saying “the movie is about rich and poor people,” the essay would:

• Track how staircases, doors, and windows are framed by the camera.
• Compare the bright, open spaces of the Park family’s home with the cramped, low‑ceilinged semi‑basement where the Kim family lives.
• Quote specific scenes, like the flooding of the Kim home, to show how the film connects physical elevation with social status.

A strong thesis might sound like this:

In Parasite, Bong Joon‑ho uses vertical space—the stairs, basement, and rooftop views—to show how class mobility is an illusion, trapping characters in a rigid social architecture they can’t escape.

That’s the heart of a good film analysis: a focused claim, supported by close reading of images and scenes.

Example of a Feminist Film Analysis: Barbie (2023)

Another popular example of critical analysis essay examples on film is a feminist reading of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. A strong essay doesn’t just say “this is feminist”; it explains how the film both critiques and plays with gender expectations.

A thoughtful essay might:

• Analyze the contrast between Barbie Land and the “real world,” noting how camera angles shift when Barbie loses control of her story.
• Examine the monologue delivered by Gloria (America Ferrera) as a meta‑commentary on the impossible standards women face.
• Look at costuming and color—how pink moves from a simple aesthetic choice to a symbol of reclaimed identity.

A clear thesis could be:

Barbie uses satire, layered dialogue, and exaggerated production design to expose how modern feminism is marketed as empowerment while leaving deeper power structures largely unchanged.

This kind of essay shows that even a bright, funny blockbuster can support serious critical analysis.

Example of a Race and Space Analysis: Do the Right Thing (1989)

Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing is a favorite for teachers assigning examples of critical analysis essay examples on film in classes on race and media. A strong essay might focus on how the film uses a single Brooklyn block to explore racial tension.

Instead of retelling the story, the writer could:

• Analyze the color palette—especially the reds and oranges—to emphasize heat and rising conflict.
• Break down the famous montage of racial slurs, explaining how direct‑to‑camera shots confront the audience.
• Discuss how the radio DJ, Mister Señor Love Daddy, acts as a kind of Greek chorus, commenting on events.

A focused thesis might be:

In Do the Right Thing, Spike Lee uses a confined neighborhood setting, exaggerated heat, and direct‑address monologues to show how everyday frustrations can erupt into racial violence when institutions fail to respond.

This is a good example of how to connect film form (color, setting, sound) with social meaning.

Example of a Cinematography‑Focused Analysis: Moonlight (2016)

If you’re more visually oriented, look for examples of critical analysis essay examples on film that center cinematography. Barry Jenkins’s Moonlight is perfect for this.

A strong essay might:

• Explore how the camera stays close to Chiron’s face, often slightly off‑center, to reflect his discomfort in his own skin.
• Analyze the use of blue and water imagery as symbols of both danger and rebirth.
• Examine the handheld camera work in scenes of bullying versus the smoother, more stable shots in moments of care.

A sample thesis:

Moonlight uses color, framing, and fluid camera movement to mirror Chiron’s shifting sense of self, turning visual style into a map of queer Black masculinity.

This kind of essay shows that you don’t need to talk about “everything” the film does. You can pick one craft element and go deep.

Example of a Sound and Music Analysis: Oppenheimer (2023)

Many students ignore sound, which is why examples of critical analysis essay examples on film that focus on score and sound design stand out. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a rich case.

A good essay might:

• Analyze how Ludwig Göransson’s score builds anxiety with ticking rhythms that echo both time and bombs.
• Compare scenes where sound drops out completely with scenes that are crowded with overlapping dialogue.
• Examine how the film mixes subjective sound (what Oppenheimer hears in his head) with objective sound (the world around him).

A sharp thesis could be:

In Oppenheimer, Nolan’s use of rhythmic scoring, sudden silence, and layered dialogue turns sound into a psychological portrait, letting the audience experience the weight of scientific guilt from inside Oppenheimer’s mind.

This is a real example of moving beyond “the acting was good” into deeper technical analysis.

Classic Example: Power and Perspective in Citizen Kane (1941)

You’ll also find many examples of critical analysis essay examples on film built around Citizen Kane, often used in film schools. Instead of repeating that it’s “important,” a strong essay asks why.

Effective angles include:

• How deep focus shots allow the audience to see multiple layers of power in a single frame.
• How the non‑linear structure mirrors the impossibility of truly knowing a person.
• How low‑angle shots of Kane make him look powerful early on, then increasingly trapped by his own image.

A focused thesis might say:

Citizen Kane uses deep focus, shifting narrators, and distorted camera angles to argue that public power is built on fragmented, unreliable stories.

This is one of the best examples for learning how to connect film technique to big thematic claims.

Contemporary Example: Social Media and Self in Bo Burnham: Inside (2021)

As of 2024–2025, more instructors are assigning streaming‑era works, and examples of critical analysis essay examples on film now often include hybrid pieces like Bo Burnham: Inside.

A thoughtful essay might:

• Discuss how filming in a single room reflects the mental confinement of lockdown and online life.
• Analyze the shift from polished musical numbers to raw behind‑the‑scenes shots as a commentary on authenticity.
• Examine how screens within screens (projectors, laptops, phones) create layers of performance.

A thesis could be:

In Inside, Bo Burnham uses the limitations of a single room, self‑reflexive editing, and layered screens to question whether authentic self‑expression is possible in an online attention economy.

This kind of topic shows how critical analysis evolves with new media trends.

How These Examples of Critical Analysis Essay Examples on Film Are Structured

If you look across these examples of critical analysis essay examples on film, they tend to follow a similar backbone, even though the films and topics differ.

They usually include:

• A clear thesis that makes a specific claim about how the film works or what it means.
• Context: release year, director, and sometimes relevant historical or cultural background.
• Close reading of scenes: detailed descriptions of shots, dialogue, or sound, not just general opinions.
• Evidence and interpretation: the essay describes something from the film, then explains what it suggests.
• Connection to bigger ideas: identity, power, gender, race, technology, or other themes.

If you want more guidance on thesis statements and argument structure, many writing centers—like Harvard College Writing Center—offer helpful advice on building analytical arguments that also apply to film.

Turning Film Notes into Your Own Critical Analysis Essay

Studying examples of critical analysis essay examples on film is only useful if you learn how to turn watching into writing. Here’s a practical way to move from “I watched a movie” to “I have a draft.”

Start by watching actively. Pause and jot down:

• Shots that made you feel something unexpectedly.
• Repeated images or colors.
• Lines of dialogue that stick in your head.
• Moments where music or silence changes the mood.

Then, look for patterns in your notes. Ask yourself:

• Do these moments cluster around a theme (like isolation, surveillance, or ambition)?
• Do they relate to a social issue (like racism, gender roles, or technology addiction)?
• Do they connect to a specific film element (like lighting, editing, or sound)?

That pattern becomes the seed of your thesis.

For example, if you’re writing about Get Out, and your notes are full of references to eyes, staring, and cameras, you might shape a thesis like:

Get Out uses eyes, mirrors, and cameras to show how Black bodies are constantly watched, judged, and controlled in white spaces.

From there, you build paragraphs around specific scenes that support that claim.

Using Real Examples to Match Your Assignment Type

Not every assignment asks for the same thing, so it helps to match examples of critical analysis essay examples on film to your task.

If your instructor wants a thematic analysis, look at essays on Parasite or Do the Right Thing that focus on class or race. Notice how they:

• Introduce the theme early.
• Connect multiple scenes back to that theme.
• End by explaining what the film is saying about that theme in today’s world.

If your assignment is more formal or stylistic, the Moonlight or Citizen Kane style essays are better models. They:

• Focus on cinematography, editing, or sound.
• Use technical vocabulary when needed (like “long take,” “diegetic sound,” or “montage”), but still explain it in plain language.

If you’re writing something more personal or reflective, pieces on Bo Burnham: Inside or Barbie can show how to balance personal response with analysis. The key is that even personal reactions get tied back to specific choices the film makes.

University writing centers often post real examples of student essays. For instance, the UNC Chapel Hill Writing Center and Purdue OWL both share sample analytical essays that, while not always about film, model the structure you can adapt.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (That Good Examples Don’t Make)

When you compare your draft to strong examples of critical analysis essay examples on film, a few differences usually jump out.

Weak essays often:

• Retell the plot instead of making an argument.
• Use vague praise or criticism: “the acting was amazing,” “the movie was boring,” without evidence.
• Ignore film techniques and only talk about the story.
• Forget to connect scenes to a larger claim or theme.

Stronger essays:

• Assume the reader already knows the basic plot (or can look it up).
• Move quickly from description (“in this scene, the camera…”) to interpretation (“this suggests that…”).
• Use specific vocabulary when helpful, but stay readable.
• End by returning to the thesis and showing how the analysis changed or deepened the understanding of the film.

If you’re unsure whether you’re analyzing or summarizing, try this small test: after any description of a scene, add “This matters because…” and finish the sentence. That simple habit pushes you toward analysis.

FAQ: Examples of Critical Analysis Essay Examples on Film

What are some of the best examples of critical analysis essay examples on film I can study?
Strong examples include essays on Parasite (class and architecture), Barbie (feminism and marketing), Do the Right Thing (race and neighborhood space), Moonlight (color and identity), Oppenheimer (sound and guilt), Citizen Kane (power and perspective), and Bo Burnham: Inside (performance and the internet). Look for pieces that make a clear argument instead of just summarizing the plot.

Where can I find a real example of a film analysis essay from a university?
Many universities post writing samples. Sites like Harvard College Writing Center, Purdue OWL, and UNC Writing Center share sample analytical essays that you can adapt as models for film. Even when the topic isn’t cinema, the way they structure argument and evidence is directly transferable.

How long should my own critical analysis essay on film be?
That depends on your assignment. High school essays are often 3–5 pages; college essays can range from 5–10 pages or more. What matters most is that you have a clear thesis, enough detailed scene analysis to support it, and a conclusion that ties everything together.

Can I write a critical analysis essay on streaming shows instead of traditional films?
Many instructors now allow or even encourage analysis of streaming content, especially limited series or stand‑alone specials like Bo Burnham: Inside. The same principles you see in examples of critical analysis essay examples on film apply: focus on specific episodes or sequences, make a clear claim, and support it with close reading.

Do I need to know film theory to write a strong analysis?
You don’t have to be an expert in film theory. The best examples use just enough terminology to be precise—like “close‑up,” “montage,” or “non‑diegetic sound”—but always connect those terms to what they mean for the viewer’s experience. If you’re curious, introductory film studies courses at universities (for example, through open course materials from institutions like MIT or Yale) can give you more vocabulary and frameworks.

Studying examples of critical analysis essay examples on film is like watching a director’s commentary for writing: you see how other people make choices, and you learn which choices might work for you. Start with one film, one angle, and one clear thesis—and build from there.