Great movies where absolutely nothing happens.

He’s a serious guy. His only issue is that it’s a bad film where absolutely nothing happens.

If you ask me, this thread is the absolute heart of the discussion, so we should probably just rename it to reflect that.

Quote: Movies that Quite Literally have no plot.

Quote: Movies that have no plot but are great without it.

There’s just something about those films that have no plot but are absolutely overflowing with amazing imagery. It’s like they trade a coherent story for pure, unadulterated visual vibes, and honestly, I’m usually not even mad about it.

🤷

This would actually make for a pretty great thread:

Quote: Movies that Got Away with Gaping plot Holes

😁

Mean Streets😛

Amanda Lopez50 said:...just waiting for a thread titled "good film where the protagonist only walks on the right side of the road"...☕

Alright, so which one is yours?

🤣🤣🤣 Signature! 😁

Christian Taylor3 said:If you ask me, this thread needs a total overhaul—or maybe just a new title altogether.

😁

What do you have in mind?

restlessfox5 said:So what's your suggestion?

Nothing, just let the thread exist. When people talk about supposedly nothing happening in a good movie, they're usually referring to the plot, the narrative structure, the dramatic pacing, you name it. 😁 Honestly, it feels like film buffs take offense, or somehow blame everyone else for not thinking to write:

...waiting for a thread titled "good films where the protagonist just walks on the right side of the road"

😬

To be fair, there's a real lack of imagination—or maybe just creativity?—when it comes to starting new threads. 🤷Any post consisting of barely half a sentence of intro should probably just be automatically deleted.

p.s. sorry for the off-topic rambling/acting like a smartass.

neonsurfer6 said:Stalker is an absolute masterpiece, no question about it.
I can't help but think of Lucas's American Graffiti, then there's Linklater's Tape, Before Sunrise / Sunset, Waking Life, followed by Lumet's 12 Angry Men, and even Malle's My Dinner with Andre...

there's actually a whole lot going on in all those movies, 🤷

Honestly, the topic itself isn't even that bad. It's just the title that sucks. 😉

Quote: good film where nothing seemingly happens.I guess you were probably talking about the actual plot, the narrative structure, or the dramaturgy of the film—you name it.

I'm on board with this title. I guess we could change it if we really wanted to, but honestly, the point stays the same regardless.

Look, someone already brought up Polanski... but I guess I’d say The Tenant [1976] isn't exactly his best work. Movies where it feels like absolutely nothing happens. 🙄 First things first. Repulsion [1965] The whole structure is basically inspired by stream of consciousness and the chaotic spiral of mental illness. Even so, Polanski uses this innovative narrative style to pull off a top-tier Hitchcockian thriller. Honestly, for like 105 minutes, we just watch a young Catherine Deneuve going about her life—working as a beautician, keeping things clean, walking through her apartment and the streets of New York... It’s a beautiful film.

And here's another completely different example—a director whose entire massive body of work is built on... Movies where it feels like absolutely nothing happens.It’s definitely Eric Rohmer. Every single film from this artistic heavyweight—who, sadly, passed away just two months ago and still isn't widely known enough—focuses on these smart, eloquent protagonists. He basically just follows their relationships, their conversations, and their vibes during specific windows of their lives. His movies rely heavily on "real time," which is probably why Gene Hackman once famously said watching a Rohmer film is most like watching paint dry. I guess Rohmer himself said he’s more interested in people's inner thoughts and desires than they are in actual actions... but his most famous film is definitely the one to watch. Claire's Knee [1970] In de Claire's Repulsion, the main guy develops this obsessive urge to touch a young girl's knee, which is basically the entire plot of the movie. 🙄😁 Tense...

There's honestly a massive amount of material out there on this topic. I guess there's just way too much to go through. 😉

The Road J. Hillcoat, unfortunately......

Nicholas Walker3 said:The Road by J. Hillcoat, unfortunately......

Why unfortunately? 😢
I've been dying to see that movie, I can't wait until I finally get my hands on it grr😢

I mean, I was honestly expecting some kind of actual story from Hillcoat—not just a slideshow of apocalyptic imagery!

But hey, look, you younger crowd isn't nearly as picky—it’s probably cool enough for you since you've got a massive pile of unwatchable masterpieces still waiting for you... across every genre imaginable.

I’d like to build on that by bringing up Gus Van Sant's "Gerry".

Pulp Fiction

Steven Palmer3 said:Pulp Fiction

Are you kidding me? Reservoir Dogs has enough material for two movies. The events aren't just interesting; they're complex and engaging. When it comes to films without a traditional plot, Reservoir Dogs is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from any other Tarantino flick.

hiddenseal14 said:the clerks-nothing happens but it's a genius movie.

There’s definitely a plot, especially that stuff at the END IN THE BATHROOM 😁

The sky over Paris, though even then, the narrative isn't the primary focus; the film is "beautiful" in the sense that it's a perfectly realized, cohesive whole. One doesn't require anything more than that.

Friday 😁

Texas

Man, I just love it.

Good grief, this thread... most of these are movies where that exact kind of thing happens.

But when you're actually on the hunt for a good film where... Nothing. It isn't happening, let me tell you:

If you haven't seen this one yet, you really need to add it to your watchlist. It’s an absolute standout from the nineties that stays with you long after the credits roll. The direction is masterful, and the way the story unfolds feels both spontaneous and deeply intentional. It captures a specific kind of atmosphere that few films manage to replicate—that feeling of being caught in a moment where everything is shifting under your feet. Even if you aren't typically drawn to this genre, there is a raw, cinematic honesty here that demands your attention. It is easily one of those films that defines an era of storytelling.

ruggedridge22 said:Good grief, this thread... basically every movie ever features stuff like this.

But if you're really looking for a solid film where nothing happens, here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0196530/

I don't know, based on the description, it seems a bit too tense for me. 🤣