How to Search for a Movie to Watch Based on Plot Details
We’ve already told you about JustWatch , a service that lets you search for a movie to see where it’s available for streaming or renting. But JustWatch also offers features to help you find a movie if you’re not sure what you want to watch, including a new one that lets you search for movies and TV shows based on plot descriptions.
Enter history to find what to watch
Get creative with your search with the P lot Recommender , a tool that, as JustWatch puts it, “opens movies and TV shows from any story.” Designed like a typewriter, the recommendation feature puts you in the shoes of a screenwriter. You can enter multiple plot details or just one word and the site will scan its database to find the perfect match using keywords. Admittedly, as with dating apps, your match probably won’t be 100% accurate, but it can be a good way to find a movie that suits your current mood or interests. The results will vary, to put it mildly; I typed “sad” and my matches included killing B-grade horror films … which are kind of sad, in concept. It’s a delicate process, but if you think of it as a creative way to find something to watch, it can be fun.
Experiment with unique stories
Have fun with the text to see what the engine is outputting. I wrote the original logline: “A magical creature must save the world by protecting the sorcerer’s gem.” The Recommender pinpointed the fantasy plot and suggested titles such as ” Legend” , ” Dragon Slayer” and “Dark Crystal” .
Let the site write for you
Are you suffering from a writing deadlock? The site offers a “Ghost write a story for me” option. Click on it and the story unfolds in front of your eyes and creates a feed, and some of the auto-typed stories are quite interesting. When the story ends, scroll down to reveal a list of loosely matched movies and TV shows from around the world.
For instance:
Based on the ghost thriller, a list of wartime films such as The Hurt Locker and the TV series Kill Eve have emerged. Each time you choose a “ghost writer”, a new, seemingly unique story is created. If this is more of a machine learning experiment than anything else, it’s still a fun way to randomize your watchlist and bring excitement back to your streaming life.