17 Movie Critic Interview Questions and Answers

Movie critics play an important role in the film industry. They help audiences decide which movies are worth watching and which ones are not. They also help filmmakers understand what works and what doesn’t work in their movies.

If you’re thinking of becoming a movie critic, you should know that the job is not as easy as it sounds. You will need to have a deep understanding of the film industry and be able to articulate your thoughts in a clear and concise manner. You will also need to be able to handle rejection, as not every movie you review will be a hit.

If you think you have what it takes to become a movie critic, the first step is to ace your interview. In this guide, we will give you some of the most common movie critic interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the different types of film criticism?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have the necessary knowledge and experience to be a movie critic. You can answer this question by naming the different types of film criticism, such as journalistic, academic and popular.

Example: “There are three main types of film criticism—academic, journalistic and popular. Academic critics write for scholarly publications and journals, while journalistic critics write for newspapers or magazines. Popular critics publish their work online or in blogs. I am familiar with all these types of film criticism because I’ve been writing professionally about movies since college.”

What are some of the most important skills for a movie critic to have?

This question can help an interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills that relate to movie criticism.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills for a movie critic is having a strong knowledge of film history. This allows me to make comparisons between movies and understand how they fit into the larger context of cinema. Another skill I find useful is my ability to write clearly and concisely. Writing reviews requires me to communicate my thoughts on a movie in a way that’s easy to read and understand. Finally, I believe empathy is another key skill for a movie critic. It helps me put myself in the shoes of others when writing reviews.”

How do you decide which elements of a movie are most important to discuss in your review?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what skills you use to complete it. Your answer should show that you have a critical eye for detail, are able to analyze information and can make decisions based on evidence.

Example: “I think about my audience when deciding which elements of a movie to discuss in my review. I know some people read reviews to learn more about the plot or characters, while others want to know if the film is worth their time and money. So, I try to include both character and plot details as well as whether the movie was entertaining and enjoyable.”

What is your process for watching a movie and taking notes on it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what methods you use to complete it. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for watching movies, taking notes on them and writing reviews.

Example: “I typically watch a movie in one sitting so I can take detailed notes as I go along. I start by reading through the synopsis of the film online or in the program guide before I see it. Then, during the movie, I write down my thoughts about the plot, characters, cinematography and other elements that are important to me when reviewing films. After the movie is over, I read through my notes and make any edits or additions.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to review a movie that you did not enjoy.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle criticism and whether you are able to separate your personal feelings from your professional opinions. Your answer should demonstrate that you can be objective in your reviews, even if you do not enjoy a movie.

Example: “I once had to review a romantic comedy that I found to be quite boring. However, I knew that many of my readers would want to know what I thought about it, so I tried to find something positive to say about the film. In my review, I focused on the actors’ performances and wrote about why I think they are talented individuals.”

If a movie’s plot was similar to one of your previous reviews, how would you address that in your new piece?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle similar topics in your work and whether you would be able to produce unique content. Your answer should show that you are willing to take on new challenges and learn from past experiences.

Example: “If a movie’s plot was similar to one of my previous reviews, I would address it by explaining why this particular film is different than the last one. For example, if I reviewed a romantic comedy about two people who meet at a wedding and fall in love but then break up because they have trouble communicating, and another romantic comedy came out with the same premise, I would explain that while both films may have some similarities, each has its own unique elements that make them worth watching.”

What would you do if you were assigned to review a movie that you had not yet seen?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle unexpected challenges. Your answer should show that you are willing to do your research and write a review even if you have not seen the movie yet.

Example: “If I were assigned to review a movie that I had not yet seen, I would first look at reviews from other critics who have already seen it. Then, I would read any relevant news articles about the film and watch interviews with the cast or crew members. Finally, I would wait until the movie was released in theaters so I could see it for myself.”

How well do you know the current movie industry and its most popular actors, actresses, directors and producers?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of the movie industry and how it has changed over time. Your answer should show that you are up-to-date with current events in the film industry, including who is making movies and what they’re about.

Example: “I am very familiar with the current state of the film industry because I follow many entertainment news sites and blogs. In fact, I have subscribed to several newsletters from popular actors, directors and producers so I can receive updates on their latest projects. For example, I know that Jennifer Lawrence is currently filming her next movie, which is an action thriller set in space.”

Do you have any experience writing reviews for a publication’s website as well as its print edition?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your writing style and how you adapt to different formats. If you have experience with this, share it in your answer.

Example: “I’ve written reviews for both print publications and their websites before. I find that my writing style works well for both mediums because I try to keep my articles engaging and entertaining while still providing insightful commentary on the movie. In fact, one of my favorite pieces I ever wrote was for our publication’s website where I reviewed a film that had just come out in theaters. It was fun to write a review from the perspective of someone who hadn’t seen the movie yet.”

When writing a negative review, how do you maintain professionalism while still being honest?

As a movie critic, you may be asked to write both positive and negative reviews. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle writing about movies that are not well-received by the public. In your answer, explain how you plan to maintain professionalism while still being honest in your review.

Example: “I understand that my job is to give an honest opinion of the film I’m reviewing. However, I also know that it’s important to remain professional when doing so. When writing a negative review, I try to focus on the aspects of the film that worked rather than those that didn’t. This helps me avoid making personal attacks against the actors or director. Instead, I use constructive criticism to help them improve their work.”

We want to increase our social media presence. How would you use social media to promote your movie reviews?

Social media is an important part of many industries, including movie criticism. Employers want to know that you understand how to use social media and can promote your work in a positive way. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to increase the reach of your content on social media platforms.

Example: “I have experience using all major social media platforms, so I would start by creating accounts for our publication on each platform. Then, I would create a schedule for posting my reviews to each account. For example, I might post one review per day to Twitter, two reviews per week to Facebook and one review per week to Instagram. This strategy would allow us to build up our presence on each platform while still providing quality content.”

Describe your writing style and the types of reviews that you enjoy writing the most.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your writing style and the types of reviews you enjoy writing. They want to make sure that you will be able to write movie reviews for their publication in a way that is engaging and interesting for readers. In your answer, try to describe what makes your writing unique and how it can benefit the publication.

Example: “I have always enjoyed writing movie reviews because I love movies and film. When I watch a movie, I am constantly thinking about what I would say about it if I were reviewing it. I think my passion for film translates into my reviews, which are usually very detailed and include both positive and negative aspects of the movie. I also like to give recommendations on whether or not people should see the movie.”

What makes a movie worth seeing in theaters rather than waiting for its release on DVD or streaming?

This question can help an interviewer determine your opinion on the current state of movie theaters and how you might approach writing about movies in a way that encourages people to attend screenings. Your answer should show that you understand the value of going to see films in theaters, whether it’s for the experience or the social aspect.

Example: “I think there are several reasons why seeing a film in theaters is worth the price of admission. For one thing, I find that many films lose something when they’re viewed at home. The sound quality isn’t as good, the screen size isn’t as large and the overall viewing experience just isn’t the same. Another reason is that going to the theater with friends or family members can be a fun night out. Finally, I think it’s important to support the movie industry by attending screenings.”

Which movie critics do you admire and why?

This question can help an interviewer get a sense of your knowledge about the industry and how you view other critics. It can also show them what kind of writing style you admire, which can be helpful if they’re looking for someone with a specific tone or voice.

Example: “I really admire Roger Ebert because he was so passionate about movies and his reviews were always insightful and well-researched. He had such a unique way of expressing himself that made him stand out from other critics. I also love A.O. Scott’s work because he has such a great eye for detail and is able to find something interesting in even the most mundane films.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of a movie critic’s job?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the role and how you would perform it. Your answer should include a brief description of what you think is most important about movie criticism, as well as why that element is so vital.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of being a movie critic is having a unique voice. Movie critics are often the first opinions people read when deciding whether or not they want to see a film. If I can provide my own opinion on a film, rather than just regurgitating someone else’s thoughts, then I feel like I am providing something more valuable for readers.”

How often do you see movies?

This question can help an interviewer understand how much experience you have as a movie critic. They may also want to know if you are able to keep up with the latest movies and trends in the industry. Your answer should show that you enjoy going to the theater, but it is important to be honest about your frequency.

Example: “I try to see at least one movie per week. I find this helps me stay current on what’s happening in the film industry. However, sometimes my schedule doesn’t allow for me to go as often as I would like. In those cases, I make sure to read reviews from other critics so I can still form opinions on new releases.”

There is a new movie out that you’ve never heard of before. How do you decide if it’s worth seeing?

This question is a great way to test your critical thinking skills. It also shows the interviewer how you would approach an unfamiliar movie and whether or not it’s worth their time. Your answer should include what factors you consider when deciding if a movie is worth seeing.

Example: “I first look at the director, cast and crew. If they are reputable, I will then check out the reviews of other critics. If there are no reviews yet, I will read up on the plot and see if it looks like something that interests me. If so, I will go online and find out where I can watch it for free before making my decision.”