In the age of streaming and social media, talking about movies and series has become part of the viewing experience. We no longer just enjoy the story—we want to share our opinions, recommend, or critique what we’ve watched. However, sometimes it’s hard to find the right words to describe what we think or feel.
In this MaestroMío article, you’ll find a useful set of Spanish vocabulary to comment on movies and series with more precision and style, whether in a conversation, a blog, or a review.
Words for describing the plot
The ‘trama’ is the sequence of events that make up the story. Some keywords and expressions to describe it are:
Argumento (plot/storyline): the summary of the main story.
Ejemplo: El argumento gira en torno a un detective retirado. :The plot revolves around a retired detective.
Subtrama (subplot): secondary stories within the main narrative.
Ejemplo: La subtrama romántica aporta humor y frescura. :The romantic subplot adds humor and freshness.
Giro inesperado (plot twist): a sudden and surprising change in the story’s direction.
Ejemplo: El final tiene un giro inesperado que nadie veía venir. :The ending has a plot twist that no one saw coming.
Ritmo (pacing): the speed at which the action or story develops.
Ejemplo: El ritmo es ágil, no da tiempo a aburrirse. :The pacing is brisk; there’s no time to get bored.
Vocabulary to talk about characters
Los personajes (characters) are the heart of any production. To describe them, you can use:
Protagonista (protagonist): the main character around whom the story revolves.
Ejemplo: La protagonista es una científica brillante. :The protagonist is a brilliant scientist.
Antagonista (antagonist): the character who opposes the protagonist.
Ejemplo: El antagonista es un político corrupto. :The antagonist is a corrupt politician.
Personajes secundarios (supporting characters): they add depth and context.
E.g.: . El reparto de secundarios está muy bien logrado. :The supporting cast is very well-developed
Evolución del personaje (character arc): the development or change a character undergoes throughout the story.
Ejemplo: El personaje pasa de ser egoísta a generoso. :The character evolves from selfish to generous.
Terms for evaluating acting
When we comment on performances, we can use:
Interpretación convincente (convincing performance): acting that feels believable and realistic.
Ejemplo: Su interpretación fue tan convincente que olvidé que actuaba. :Her performance was so convincing I forgot she was acting.
Sobreactuado/a (overacted): exaggerated or unnatural acting.
Ejemplo: Algunos gestos se ven sobreactuados. :Some gestures feel overacted.
Química en pantalla (on-screen chemistry): the connection and rapport between actors.
Ejemplo: La química entre los protagonistas es evidente. :The chemistry between the leads is obvious.
Carisma (charisma): personal charm that engages the viewer.
Ejemplo: Su carisma sostiene toda la película. :His charisma carries the whole movie.
Words to describe the visual side
The visual aspect plays a big role too:
Fotografía (cinematography): the composition and quality of the images in the film or series.
Ejemplo: La fotografía es espectacular, con paisajes impresionantes. :The cinematography is spectacular, with stunning landscapes.
Escenografía (set/production design): the design and decoration of the locations and sets.
Ejemplo: La escenografía transporta al espectador al siglo XIX. :The set design transports the viewer to the 19th century.
Efectos especiales (special effects): techniques used to create visually striking or impossible images.
Ejemplo: Los efectos especiales son impresionantes y realistas. :The special effects are impressive and realistic.
Estética (aesthetic): the overall visual style.
Ejemplo: La estética minimalista refuerza el tono de la historia. :The minimalist aesthetic reinforces the tone of the story.
Terms for commenting on music and sound
Sound also matters:
Banda sonora (soundtrack): the collection of musical pieces used in a film or series.
Ejemplo: La banda sonora encaja perfectamente con las emociones. :The soundtrack perfectly matches the emotions.
Tema principal (main theme): the main or representative melody of the work.
Ejemplo: El tema principal se queda en la cabeza. :The main theme sticks in your head.
Efectos de sonido (sound effects): noises or sounds created artificially to enhance scenes.
Ejemplo: Los efectos de sonido intensifican las escenas de acción. :The sound effects heighten the action scenes.
Expressions to give your opinion
- “Me enganchó desde el principio.” :“It hooked me from the start.”
- “Tiene altibajos, pero en general es buena.” :“It has its ups and downs, but overall it’s good.”
- “No cumplió mis expectativas.” :“It didn’t meet my expectations.”
- “Es una obra maestra.” :“It’s a masterpiece.”
- “Recomendable para… (amantes del suspense, fans de la comedia, etc.)” :“Recommended for… (thriller lovers, comedy fans, etc.).”
Tips for Commenting More Precisely
- Be specific: instead of saying “me gustó”, explain which part you liked and why.
- Balance the positive and negative: even a work you didn’t enjoy can have well-executed elements.
- Adapt your vocabulary to your audience: in a specialized blog, you can use technical terms; in a chat with friends, opt for more casual language.
