Through Different Eyes: How Perspective Shapes Film Interpretation
No two people watch a film in the same way. Each viewer brings their own background, emotions, and beliefs into the experience. These factors act like filters that shape how we understand the story, its characters, and its meaning. Because of this, a film never has just one single interpretation. Instead, it becomes a space where different perspectives meet and create new understandings. This idea reflects the interpretation theory, which suggests that meaning depends not only on the creator but also on the audience who experiences the work.
For most viewers, personal experiences and age play an important role in how they interpret a film. A teenager might relate to a character’s struggle for independence, while an older person might focus on themes of memory or regret. Family films, for example, often work on multiple levels where children enjoy the humor and adventure, while adults notice the emotional depth or social message behind the story. These differences happen naturally because every viewer connects the story to their own life and emotions.
Film and Communication Students
Students who study film or communication approach movies with a more analytical perspective. They are trained to look at how films are made, how the camera moves, how lighting sets the mood, and how editing builds rhythm. They also understand concepts like mise-en-scène, sound design, and symbolism. When they watch a film, they can identify the director’s creative choices and interpret how these choices express ideas or emotions. Their understanding goes beyond the story itself; they see the film as a structured message built through visual and sound techniques.
Critics
Professional film critics view movies with both personal insight and a broad knowledge of cinema history and culture. They compare films with others, discuss how they contribute to society or the art form, and evaluate the quality of storytelling and production. While critics aim to be objective, their interpretations still reflect their own perspectives. Their reviews often influence how the public views a movie, showing how one person’s interpretation can shape others’ understanding.
Films are living works of art that change with every viewer. Whether it’s a casual audience member, a film student, or a critic, each person brings a different way of seeing. These perspectives remind us that a film’s meaning is not fixed, and it grows and transforms through the eyes and minds of those who watch it.
References
(n.d.). Reception theory – Wikipedia. Retrieved November 3, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reception_theory
Bordwell, D. (1989). Making meaning: inference and rhetoric in the interpretation of cinema. Harvard University Press.
Written by: Thrya Abdulraheem Motea Al-aqab
Edited by: Meigitaria Sanita
