What Does Subtext Mean?

Subtext is the deeper meaning lying beneath dialogue, actions or narrative choices. It's what is being expressed underneath the surface.

What is an Example of Subtext?

Where one character says one thing but means another. Or a character might act in a certain way in order to represent how they feel without saying it.

How Do You Write Subtext?

Writing subtext is about layering your scenes, and screenplay in general, with deeper meaning. A great way to do this is to start off big and end up small. Start conveying what you want explicitly and gradually reduce this explicitness by conveying what you need in a tighter and tighter way.

Writing Subtext: What are the Different Forms of Subtext?

Table of ContentsWriting Subtext: What is Subtext?Different Forms of Subtext1. Thematic Subtext The Truman ShowMulholland DriveMoonlight2. Subtext In Dialogue ParasiteThe Social Network3. Subtext in Imagery Brokeback Mountain Citizen Kane4. Subtext in ActionsBreaking BadInglorious BasterdsHow to Execute Subtext in Your ScreenplaySubtext ExercisesTo Conclude: What to Remember About Writing Subtext Writing Subtext: What is Subtext? In its simplest terms, subtext is what lies beneath. Writing subtext in a screenplay is all about conveying the underlying opinions, meaning, themes and metaphors sitting underneath

Members only

This article continues in our Members Area

Join SCREENWRITING: EVOLVED for full access to 700+ guides, whitepapers, the script library, industry interviews and much more.

Join SCREENWRITING: EVOLVED — just $9.99/month

Cancel any time · No commitment