Hi Reader,

I’ve been thinking about something that comes up a lot in movies - especially controversial ones: why do some films still connect with audiences even when the script clearly has problems?

That’s what got me thinking about Citizen Vigilante. I watched it the other night, and whatever your personal politics or reaction to the movie, it’s actually a very useful case study for writers.

On one hand, the screenplay has some very real weaknesses:

• thin motivation
• little real character development
• on-the-nose dialogue
• an episodic revenge structure
• and not nearly enough connective tissue between its major beats

And yet, for its intended audience, it still works. From a writing standpoint, this begs the million dollar question - Why?

It knows exactly who it’s for

One thing the film absolutely does right is that it knows its audience.

It's not trying to be for everyone, or trying to soften itself into something broad and safe.
On the contrary, it knows the emotional buttons it wants to push, and it pushes them hard.

That has value, because one of the fastest ways for a script to become forgettable is to become too vague about who it’s trying to reach.

It gives the audience an active lead

Another thing Citizen Vigilante does well is give the audience a protagonist who acts. The main character, Sanders, isn't passive. He doesn't just drift through the plot. No, he's decisive, capable, and constantly taking action.

That matters, especially in action thrillers and revenge stories.

The problem is that the script doesn't do enough to build out why he acts, or how those actions change him over time. And that’s where the movie leaves a lot on the table.

Conviction is not the same as craft

One of the biggest writing lessons, however, comes down to this - the movie has conviction, but lacks in craft. A writer needs both.

In other words, it commits to its tone and has a distinct point of view. One could say it even sounds like it believes in itself.

But, for the most part, the dialogue is too blunt, too expository, and too speech-like. The characters all say exactly what's on their minds, without any subtext.

Revenge is not a full plot

This is the other major issue - revenge can be a strong story engine, but it's not enough to drive the plot all by itself.

A revenge story still needs a wound, a personal stake, escalation, emotional progression, and dramatic structure.

That’s part of why Death Wish works better as a narrative comparison. It gives the audience a clearer personal through-line and a stronger sense of transformation in its main character.

In comparison, Citizen Vigilante has movement, but not enough shape.

In my latest video, I go much deeper into all of this!

🎥 Watch the full video here: CITIZEN VIGILANTE Review​

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And if you want help with your screenplay - character work, dialogue, pacing, structure, or figuring out why your script isn’t landing the way it should - I can help with that too.:

👉 My coaching calls - great for brainstorming, outlining, character work, and solving story problems early: Book Your Session today!​

Book Your Coaching Call Here!

👉 My coverage packages - a great next step if you need meaningful developmental feedback before diving back into the draft: Click here!​

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👉 Rewrite to Greenlight - my ongoing developmental editing program for taking a script from almost there to funding or production-ready: Click here!​

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Remember, an audience connection matters, but the strongest scripts give you that and the story to back it up.

Until next time - keep writing, and stay creative!

Neil

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P.S. Check out my feature film, Spin the Wheel - out now on Tubi!

Click here to watch for FREE: https://tubitv.com/movies/100030151/spin-the-wheel​

And see my latest feature, Contamination, now on Amazon, AppleTV, Fandango, and Hoopla!

Learn more about storytelling, screenwriting, and filmmaking:​ www.neilchasefilm.com.

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