Movie’s Gotta Movie: A Defence of the Right Cliché at the Right Time

We’ve all rolled our eyes at them.

• The “1 second left on the timer” bomb defusal.

• The “we’re not so different, you and I” villain monologue.

• The airport dash to declare your love before the gate closes.

• The “I didn’t know I was beautiful” makeover moment.

Clichés have become the punchlines of screenwriting discourse. But here’s the truth: sometimes, the cliché works. And that’s when I find myself shrugging, grinning, and saying my favourite creative cop-out—"Movie’s Gotta Movie."

What Is a Cliché, Really?

At its core, a cliché is a moment, phrase, or plot device that’s been used so often it feels predictable. But what’s often overlooked is why it was used so much in the first place: because it worked.

Clichés are shorthand for emotional truth. They are familiar, comforting, and often efficient. And when used with purpose—rather than laziness—they can still deliver exactly what an audience wants, even if they’ve seen it before.

When the Cliché Works

A cliché works when it earns its place. Let’s be honest—if a character runs to the airport at the end of a rom-com, and we’ve felt the buildup of heartbreak, longing, and last chances? You bet I’m rooting for them at Gate 32B.

Clichés work when:

• They’re emotionally satisfying: Think Jerry Maguire’s “You complete me.” We knew he was going to say something cheesy. That’s the point. It lands because the story earned it.

• They’re delivered with a wink: Films like Scream or The Lost City have fun with their clichés, letting us be in on the joke. There’s nothing wrong with formula if you’re self-aware about it.

• They subvert or deepen the moment: La La Land gave us the “dream couple” montage… and then the gut-punch of reality. It leaned into the fantasy before twisting it—making the cliché feel again.

We’re All Chasing the “Original Idea”

Writers are often told to find the fresh concept, the never-been-done-before idea that will dazzle the world. And yes—pursuing originality is important. It pushes us out of our comfort zones and sharpens our voice.

But here’s the secret: truly original ideas are rare. And that’s okay. Most stories are built from familiar bones. What makes them stand out is how we tell them—through tone, structure, character, and perspective.

So don’t shove a cliché in just to fill a gap. But don’t rip it out just because someone on a podcast said it’s “been done.” If it fits, if it feels true to your story, if it lands—use it. With intention.

Originality doesn’t always mean new. Sometimes it just means honest.

Why We Still Need Them

Genres thrive on expectations. The training montage in a sports movie. The best friend pep talk in a rom-com. The villain reveal in a mystery. These are the building blocks of genre cinema.

Sometimes, the cliché is the vehicle for catharsis. It gives the audience what they’ve been unconsciously hoping for. It can also be a creative anchor—something solid to build your twist, your reinvention, or your subversion on top of.

And sometimes… it’s just fun. There’s a reason Notting Hill works every time, why Die Hard has inspired a thousand imitations, and why someone always yells “Get down!” before the explosion. Movie’s gotta movie.

When the Cliché Fails

Of course, not all clichés are worth defending. Lazy writing, uninspired dialogue, or relying on stereotypes to fill in the emotional gaps—these are the times when a cliché isn’t earned.

If you’re using a cliché because you can’t think of a better solution, the audience will feel it. But if you choose a cliché, knowing what it means, why it works, and how it plays with audience expectations—you’re using it as a tool, not a crutch.

My Take as a Writer

In my own scripts, I find myself constantly navigating the fine line between classic and cliché. Whether I’m writing horror (The Yule Lads), romance (The Two Gentlemen of Christmas), or genre-bending rom-zom (An Edible Bachelor), I ask myself:

• Am I using this moment because it’s true to the character?

• Have I earned this beat emotionally?

• Can I twist it, elevate it, or own it?

Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes the answer is: lean into it. Because sometimes, the exact thing we think we’re supposed to avoid is actually the very thing the story needs.

Final Thought: Embrace It—But Know Why

There’s no shame in a well-used trope. There’s no creative failure in delivering exactly what your audience came for—especially if you deliver it with heart, humour, or a bit of knowing flair.

We’re all chasing originality, and we should be. But sometimes, the best version of your story is the one that gives people what they didn’t realise they already wanted.

So the next time you hit a familiar beat and hesitate, ask yourself: Is this lazy—or is this legacy?

Because sometimes, cliché is comfort.

Sometimes, trope is truth.

And sometimes, well—Movie’s Gotta Movie.