Key Elements That Make a Film Successful (Even When They Don't Make Sense)

A candid moment of film professionals on set, capturing the genuine energy behind crafting emotionally resonant stories that often succeed without strict logic.
Films are a strange art form. Some follow deep, logical storytelling, while others defy all sense yet still dominate the box office. Why? Because at their core, movies aren't about rules, they're about engagement. If a film entertains, it wins. Period.

But what makes a film engaging? Let's break down the elements that keep audiences hooked, whether a movie is a masterpiece or a wild, logic-defying blockbuster.

Entertainment Wins Over Logic

A film doesn't have to be logical to work. It just has to feel right. Think about some of the biggest hits and you'll notice many defy realism, continuity, and even basic storytelling principles. Yet they thrive because they master the art of immersion.

What keeps people glued to the screen even when the plot has holes?

  • Emotional highs and lows – If a movie makes you feel, logic takes a back seat.
    Movies that pull this off: Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Kabir Singh (2019).
  • Escapism – Films transport us. Whether it's into a high-speed car chase or a fantasy world, we want to believe, at least for those two hours.
    Movies that pull this off: Krrish (2006), Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022)
  • Characters over details – If we love the characters, we forgive everything else.
    Movies that pull this off: Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003), 3 Idiots (2009)
  • Spectacle over sense – Grand visuals, larger-than-life action, and lavish song sequences often overshadow logical gaps.
    Movies that pull this off: Pathaan (2023), Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017)
  • Nostalgia and star power – A beloved actor or a throwback to classic cinema can keep audiences invested, even if the story doesn't hold up.
    Movies that pull this off: Tiger 3 (2023), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)
  • Catchy music and iconic moments – A hit soundtrack or a single unforgettable scene can make the whole film memorable, logic be damned.
    Movies that pull this off: Chennai Express (2013), Dilwale (2015)
  • Mass appeal beats critique – When a film hits the right notes for a broad audience, critical logic or narrative flaws don't matter.
    Movies that pull this off: Sooryavanshi (2021), Simmba (2018)
  • Humor masks the holes – A well-timed joke or a running gag can make the audience overlook plot gaps entirely.
    Movies that pull this off: Golmaal Again (2017), Welcome (2007)

Movies that pull this off: Fast & Furious series, Avatar, Jurassic World. Do they always make sense? No. Do they work? Absolutely.

The Invisible Rhythm of a Film

Great movies aren't just about what's shown, they're about how it's displayed. The rhythm of a film is what keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.

Pacing: Keeping the Momentum

  • Too slow? The audience drifts.
  • Too fast? They feel overwhelmed.
  • The best films control pacing like a heartbeat slowing down for emotional weight, speeding up for excitement.

Action films are a masterclass in this. A good example is Sholay (1975), which rarely loses steam, yet in those quieter moments, it delivers emotional punches that linger long after.

The Hook: Grabbing Attention Instantly

In Gen Z's era, if a film doesn't grip the audience in the first 5-10 minutes, it's already lost them.

  • An intense mystery (Kahaani's opening with the gas attack on the metro)
  • A shocking event (Andhadhun's sudden murder twist)
  • A unique visual (Ra.One's game-world action intro)

It's not just a technique, but a survival strategy too. With so much competing for attention, a slow start is a death sentence.

Characters: The Core of Every Great Film

Plot might be important, but characters are the film. Audiences connect with people, not events.

Relatability: Making Characters Feel Real

Even in a world of superheroes and sci-fi, we need something human to latch onto. Why do people love Tony Stark? Not because he's Iron Man, but because he's flawed, witty, and unpredictable. Just like we connected with Kabir (Kabir Singh, 2019) because he was flawed, impulsive, and deeply emotional.

Strong Character Arcs

A character should change or at least fight against change. The most memorable films revolve around this struggle:

  • Haider (2014) – Haider's transformation through grief, betrayal, and revenge.
  • Tamasha (2015) – Ved's inner conflict between identity and expectation.
  • Rang De Basanti (2006)* – From carefree youth to awakened rebels driven by purpose.
  • Swades (2004) – Mohan's journey from an NRI to someone rediscovering his roots.
  • Breaking Bad (2008–2013) (TV, but still applies) – Walter White's descent into darkness.
  • Joker (2019) – Arthur Fleck's slow unraveling into chaos.
  • Interstellar (2014) – Cooper's emotional journey, not just space travel.

If a character stays the same throughout, the movie feels flat, unless they're an unstoppable force like The Terminator (1984).

Cinematic Language: The Unspoken Art

A film isn't about saying things, it's about showing things. The best movies use cinematic techniques to show rather than tell.

Visual Storytelling

  • A single frame can tell an entire story. Think of the opening shot of Gangs of Wasseypur (2012): a narrow lane, chaos erupting, and a man walking into it with a gun.
  • Directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and S. S. Rajamouli master this art in Baahubali (2015), which opens with a towering waterfall that speaks of myth, scale, and destiny before anyone says a word.

Sound & Music: The Invisible Emotion

  • The Inception (2010) score is instantly recognizable.
  • The sound design in Tumbbad (2018) is soaked in rain and silence, building dread without a single jump scare.
  • The silence in A Quiet Place (2018) creates tension like no words ever could.
  • Horror movies use low-frequency sounds to trigger fear without audiences realizing it.

Sound is a powerful element that drives emotion and shapes the story.

The Magic of Unpredictability

Audiences crave the unexpected. The most common thing people say about bad movies is that they were predictable. The best films subvert expectations without feeling forced. Critics slammed Ruthless (2024) for having a painfully predictable storyline that felt formulaic. Reviewers of Somebody I Used to Know (2023) described the plot as relatively predictable, noting that the film follows a familiar path despite its charming premise.

The Art of the Twist

  • Fight Club (1999) – The protagonist isn't who we think.
  • Talaash (2012) – The truth behind the haunting changes everything.
  • Kahaani (2012) – The clues were always there, hiding in plain sight. Another similar example is The Sixth Sense (1999)
  • Andhadhun (2018) – Just when you think you've figured it out, it flips again.

A great twist doesn't just surprise you. It makes you see the whole story in a new way.

Playing With Genre

Films that mix genres feel fresh. Look at:

  • Stree (2018) – Horror, comedy, and social satire rolled into one.
  • Barfi! (2012) – A love story told through silence, comedy, and emotion.
  • Go Goa Gone (2013) – A zombie comedy that breaks all the rules.
  • Get Out (2017) – Horror that's also a deep social commentary.
  • Deadpool (2016) – A superhero film that mocks superheroes.

Breaking genre rules keeps films exciting.

Cultural Timing: Why Some Films Hit Harder Than Others

Sometimes, a film is excellent, but it flops. Other times, a mediocre film becomes a cultural phenomenon. Why? Timing.

Movies That Arrive at the Right Moment

  • The Matrix (1999) – Released when the world was fascinated with computers and alternate realities.
  • Joker (2019) – Hit at a time when discussions about mental health and social divide were at a peak.
  • Barbie & Oppenheimer (2023) – Both are two completely different films that were released on the same day. Still, their contrast and online buzz turned them into a cultural event. Perfect storm of internet culture and unexpected marketing.
  • Rang De Basanti (2006) – Released when youth activism and anti-establishment sentiment were rising.
  • Chak De! India (2007) – Hit when India was hungry for stories of national pride and underdog victories.
  • Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) – Tapped into the wave of patriotism after real-life military events.
  • Queen (2014) – Arrived during a shift toward stories about independent women.
  • Gully Boy (2019) – Surfaced just as India's underground rap culture was going mainstream.

A film's impact depends not just on what it shows but also on when it's released.

The Social Media Effect

Today, movies spread through memes, reactions, and viral moments. Films like Liger (2022) became infamous jokes, while others like Pathaan (2023) and Jawan (2023) became shared emotional and fan-driven experiences.

Final Thoughts

The best filmmakers don't just follow a formula. They understand what keeps people watching. Whether it's a cinematic masterpiece or pure popcorn entertainment, the best films always:

  • Make us feel
  • Keep us engaged
  • Surprise us when we least expect it

Not every film needs to be a work of genius. Some just need to entertain. And that's why even the most illogical movies can still be great movies because people just want to be hooked.

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Author: Austin Shivaji Kumar