5 Subtext Mistakes That Are Killing Your Story (And How to Fix Them)
Why do some scenes feel full of emotion – even when barely anything is said?
That’s subtext at work. It’s the meaning under the dialogue, the tension behind the silence, the truth your characters don’t say out loud.
But, if you haven’t written the subtext well, your scenes may feel ‘on-the-nose’ and overly explained.
This article covers five of the biggest subtext mistakes that quietly ruin good stories – and shows you exactly how to fix them with stronger action, visuals, and dialogue that leave space for readers to lean in.
You’ll also see examples from well-known movies that nailed it… and others that totally missed the mark!
What is Subtext, Really?
Before we jump into the mistakes, let’s be clear on what subtext actually is.
Subtext is the hidden meaning underneath what’s being said or shown. It’s the unspoken truth.
It’s the character saying one thing, but meaning another. It’s the quiet glance, the trembling hand, the image that says more than words ever could.
It shows up in:
- Dialogue
- Actions
- Visuals
- Themes
Great subtext makes your story feel alive.
Prefer to watch, rather than read? Check out my YouTube video on the most common subtext mistakes below!
What are the Most Common Subtext Mistakes?
Let’s get right into the top mistakes writers make when they try to add subtext and context to their writing.
Mistake #1: Making the Subtext Too Obvious
We’ve all seen it: a story that tells us what it’s about instead of showing us.
When writers push the message so hard, it stops being subtext. It becomes a lecture.
❌ Bad Example: Don’t Look Up (2021)
This satire about climate change had a clear message – but it didn’t trust the audience to get it. Characters say the theme outright. There’s no nuance, no space to interpret.
Lines like “They just don’t believe in science!” leave nothing to read between.
It’s like being hit with a message stick over and over.
✅ Good Example: Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele’s horror film also talks about race and privilege – but it never says the message out loud.
It shows it through awkward conversations, disturbing behavior, and coded language. The audience feels the discomfort without needing a speech about it.
👉 Pro Tip:
Trust your audience. Instead of including dialogue like, “War changes people,” show it in a soldier’s silence, nightmares, or reactions to loud sounds.
Let readers discover the theme themselves.
Ask yourself:
- Can someone interpret this scene in more than one way?
- Is there a metaphor or symbol I can use instead of direct dialogue?
Mistake #2: Making the Subtext Too Subtle (or Nonexistent)
The opposite problem? Hiding subtext so well that it disappears.
Your story will lack depth when your dialogue and scenes are too on-the-nose or feel like small talk.
The audience needs something to chew on – something beneath the surface.
❌ Bad Example: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
This movie tries to set up big emotional stakes – but then characters explain everything. There’s no room for interpretation.
When a character says something like, “Please don’t be happy that I’m happy, because I’m not,” it doesn’t leave anything for us to figure out.
The words are the meaning, and that gets boring.
✅ Good Example: Jaws (1975) – The USS Indianapolis Scene
Quint’s monologue in Jaws isn’t just about sharks – it’s about trauma, obsession, and survivor’s guilt.
But he never says that. You feel it in his voice, the story, the way he tells it.
👉 Pro Tip:
Let characters talk around the truth. Real people deflect, lie, or stay silent. Use that in your own writing.
Examples:
- “I’m fine” (while wiping tears)
- “That doesn’t matter” (but it clearly does)
Tension grows when characters don’t say everything. Think about what they want to say, but can’t.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Visual Subtext
Subtext isn’t just in words. What the audience sees can say just as much – sometimes more.
When visuals and setting reflect theme or emotion, your story will be richer without extra dialogue.
❌ Bad Example: Suicide Squad (2016)
This movie tries to look cool but tells us everything instead of showing it.
- Harley’s “Property of Joker” shirt? Just plain text.
- Deadshot talks about his daughter constantly – but we rarely see those emotions in action or imagery.
- On-screen labels tell us who characters are instead of letting us discover it ourselves.
✅ Good Example: Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
You feel the loneliness, coldness, and isolation through:
- Desolate landscapes
- Grey color palettes
- Sterile lighting
- K’s tiny, empty apartment
The visuals reflect what K feels inside. No one has to explain it. You get it.
👉 Pro Tip:
Use symbols and recurring visuals. A broken mirror, a locked door, a toy left behind – these can speak volumes.
Think about:
- Lighting and color (dark vs. bright)
- Framing (distance between characters)
- Weather and setting (stormy, empty, broken)
Let the environment show what the characters can’t say.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Action Subtext
Words lie. Actions don’t.
Action subtext happens when a character’s behavior reveals more than their words. It adds realism to your scenes.
❌ Bad Example: “Martha” Scene – Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Batman is about to kill Superman… until Superman says his mom’s name: Martha.
Boom. Instant change of heart.
This moment could have been powerful – if we saw Batman hesitate, flash back, or feel doubt. But we didn’t.
Instead, we got a line of dialogue that solved everything too fast.
✅ Good Example: No Country for Old Men (2007) – Coin Toss Scene
Anton Chigurh flips coins to decide people’s lives. He never says he believes in fate – he shows it.
His calm behavior, ritualistic flips, and commitment to the coin’s outcome tell us:
- He believes in randomness.
- He sees himself as above morality.
- He’s truly terrifying.
👉 Pro Tip:
Actions speak louder than words. Show emotion through movement.
Examples:
- A character saying “I’m okay” but gripping their drink too tight.
- A person pacing, looking out the window, then sitting down again.
Small choices can show big internal conflict.
Mistake #5: Inconsistent Subtext
Subtext needs to stay strong and steady. If your story starts with one message and switches halfway through, readers will be confused.
Your theme, tone, and hidden meanings should carry from start to finish.
❌ Bad Example: Star Wars Sequel Trilogy
One film says legacy matters. The next says it doesn’t. Then it does again.
- The Force Awakens: Family legacy is everything.
- The Last Jedi: Legacy doesn’t matter – Rey is a nobody.
- The Rise of Skywalker: Surprise! She’s a Palpatine. So legacy matters again.
The message keeps changing. It’s confusing and unsatisfying.
✅ Good Example: The Godfather (1972)
From beginning to end, this film explores power and family loyalty.
Michael says he won’t join the family business. But scene by scene, his actions pull him deeper in.
Every shot, line, and choice builds the same subtext: You can’t escape who you are.
By the final scene, the transformation is complete – and completely earned.
👉 Pro Tip:
Pick one core subtext – and stick to it. Don’t switch messages halfway just for a twist.
Ask yourself:
- What’s this story really about?
- Does each scene support that?
- Does the ending feel like the final word on that theme?
Keep the thread strong all the way through.
Say More by Saying Less
Subtext is what gives your story depth and texture. It’s what makes your audience feel something they can’t quite explain.
Here’s a quick recap of what to watch for:
- Don’t spell it all out. Let your audience think.
- Don’t bury it too deep. Give clues to the meaning.
- Use visuals wisely. A picture can say a thousand words.
- Let actions do the talking. Behavior beats dialogue.
- Stay consistent. Pick a theme and follow it through.
Now you know the pitfalls – so avoid them! Write with layers of subtext, and your story will stick in people’s minds long after they finish reading (or watching).
If you need some help fleshing out your story’s characters, don’t forget to download my free 10-page character development workbook!
