Definition: A high-concept film features a clear, intriguing premise that can be easily summarized in a sentence or two (a hook). It often focuses on a unique idea or twist that drives the plot. High-concept films are designed to be broadly appealing. A classic example is Jaws (1975), where a straightforward premise — a giant shark terrorizing a beach community — captures our imagination.
Main Features of High Concept Films
High-concept movies typically possess a premise that emphasizes a clear, compelling conflict, often with an easily communicated hook. They tend to prioritize concepts over characters, which means the scenario is king.
The high-concept approach makes these films particularly marketable because the idea grabs attention even before the full story is known.
Focus on Audience Appeal
High-concept films are designed to be broadly appealing. They often feature elements that resonate on a universal level, such as love, revenge, or survival.
This wide appeal helps in attracting diverse groups of viewers, making the films more likely to be commercially successful.
Examples of High Concept Films
Here are five examples of high-concept films. I’ve tried to summarize them in a single sentence (the hook) that shows the high-concept of each film:
- The Truman Show (1998): A man discovers his entire life is a TV show broadcast to the world.
- Jurassic Park (1993): Scientists clone dinosaurs to populate a theme park, which goes wrong.
- Groundhog Day (1993): A weatherman finds himself living the same day over and over again.
- Back to the Future (1985): A teenager travels back in time to his parents’ teenage years and must ensure they still fall in love, or he will cease to exist.
- Speed (1994): A bus must keep its speed above 50 mph to prevent an onboard bomb from exploding.
High-Concept Niche Movies
The broad appeal of high-concept movies doesn’t mean the idea is reserved for mainstream blockbusters. Niche films can, too.
Sharknado (2013) is an example of a high-concept film that became a niche movie due to its unique and straightforward premise – a tornado full of sharks attacking Los Angeles. This premise is easy to communicate and understand, making it high-concept.
Similarly, Cocaine Bear (2023) is also a high-concept film. It is based on a bizarre and attention-grabbing premise: a bear that ingests a large amount of cocaine and goes on a rampage. Like Sharknado, Cocaine Bear appeals to a specific audience fascinated by its unusual and darkly comedic plot.
See more examples of Bear Horror Movies.
Impact on the Film Industry: Easy Marketing
High-concept films are particularly attractive to studios because they are easier to market and often have the potential for significant box office returns.
The clarity of the concept allows for a focused advertising campaign and can help the film stand out in a crowded market.
Also, strong, high-concept ideas often lend themselves to franchising or sequels, providing additional financial benefits to studios.
Limitations and Criticisms
Despite their commercial appeal, high-concept films are sometimes criticized for being overly simplistic or formulaic.
Critics argue that focusing on a marketable concept might overshadow character development, depth of story, and thematic complexity.
Consequently, these films can achieve massive popularity, but they might not always receive critical acclaim or offer substantial narrative richness.
But that has always been the case: what the connoisseur movie critics like has rarely matched what the masses like. I believe this is because the former cannot often accept a single stupid premise for what it is. It’s just entertainment, for God’s sake!
Summing Up
In essence, high-concept filmmaking is about packaging a movie around a simple yet strong (however stupid it might seem) idea that is easy to communicate and appealing to a mass audience.
While this approach has proven successful at the box office, it also poses challenges regarding depth and originality.
Nonetheless, high-concept films continue to be a significant and influential part of the cinematic landscape, often bringing innovative ideas to mainstream audiences. And we love it!
Up Next: What Makes a Movie Good?
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