Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Learn what separates bad story climaxes from good story climaxes--with examples from Lord of the Rings, Project Hail Mary, Batman, The Last of Us, and more!
🔥Writing Your Story's Theme by K.M. Weiland: amzn.to/3NU9KxV
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🔥Get Brandon's horror/thriller novel The Half Murders:
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🔥Get Brandon's horror/thriller novel BAD PARTS:
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🔥Get Brandon's supernatural thriller novel ENTRY WOUNDS:
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NOTE: Some of my links are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos. This does not affect my review of products. All opinions are my own. Thanks for the support!
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#WritingAdvice #WritingTips #Writing #screenwriting #storytelling
0:00 Intro
0:36 What is a Story Climax?
1:06 What a Good Story Climax Does
4:59 Bad Climax 1 - Self-Defeating Climax
5:16 Bad Example 1 - Batman Begins
6:50 Good Example 1 - Metal Gear Solid 3
8:58 Bad Climax 2 - Contrived Climax
9:25 Bad Example 2 - Raiders of the Lost Ark
11:02 Good Example 2 - Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
12:46 Bad Climax 3 - The Underwhelming Victory
13:07 Bad Example 3 - Weapons
15:42 Good Example 3 - The Thing (1982)
17:36 Bad Climax 4 - Poorly Balanced Dilemma
17:53 Bad Example 4 - Project Hail Mary
20"44 Good Example 4 - The Last of Us Part 1 / Season 1
Learn what separates bad story climaxes from good story climaxes--with examples from Lord of the Rings, Project Hail Mary, Batman, The Last of Us, and more!
🔥Writing Your Story's Theme by K.M. Weiland: amzn.to/3NU9KxV
Patreon Page: patreon.com/WriterBrandonMcNulty
YouTube Membership: youtube.com/channel/UChqAmyhEejCMMIxJmvUrdYw/join
🔥Get Brandon's Writing guide book STORY MADE SIMPLE
Amazon (Ad link): amzn.to/4kv5TkU
Barnes & Noble: tinyurl.com/4afd4nz6
Audible: tinyurl.com/3xss8734
Other Retailers:books2read.com/storymadesimple
🔥Get Brandon's horror/thriller novel The Half Murders:
- AMAZON (Ad Link): amzn.to/4amlFKG
- BARNES & NOBLE (USA): https://shorturl.at/acwLX
- AUDIBLE (USA): https://shorturl.at/goFG9
- OTHER RETAILERS: books2read.com/TheHalfMurders
🔥Get Brandon's horror/thriller novel BAD PARTS:
- AMAZON (Ad Link): amzn.to/3esTFYC
- BARNES & NOBLE: tinyurl.com/BadPartsBN
- AUDIBLE: audible.com/pd/Bad-Parts-Audiobook/B08CXNY2RF
- OTHER RETAILERS: books2read.com/badparts
🔥Get Brandon's supernatural thriller novel ENTRY WOUNDS:
- AMAZON (Ad Link): amzn.to/2XL737v
- BARNES & NOBLE: tinyurl.com/EntryWoundsBN
- AUDIBLE: tinyurl.com/EWAudible
- OTHER RETAILERS: books2read.com/EntryWounds
NOTE: Some of my links are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos. This does not affect my review of products. All opinions are my own. Thanks for the support!
Follow Brandon McNulty:
WEBSITE (Join my mailing list!) - brandonmcnulty.com
TWITTER - twitter.com/McNultyFiction
FACEBOOK - facebook.com/McNultyFiction
SUBSCRIBE to Writer Brandon McNulty here: youtube.com/channel/UChqAmyhEejCMMIxJmvUrdYw?sub_confirmation=1
#WritingAdvice #WritingTips #Writing #screenwriting #storytelling
0:00 Intro
0:36 What is a Story Climax?
1:06 What a Good Story Climax Does
4:59 Bad Climax 1 - Self-Defeating Climax
5:16 Bad Example 1 - Batman Begins
6:50 Good Example 1 - Metal Gear Solid 3
8:58 Bad Climax 2 - Contrived Climax
9:25 Bad Example 2 - Raiders of the Lost Ark
11:02 Good Example 2 - Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
12:46 Bad Climax 3 - The Underwhelming Victory
13:07 Bad Example 3 - Weapons
15:42 Good Example 3 - The Thing (1982)
17:36 Bad Climax 4 - Poorly Balanced Dilemma
17:53 Bad Example 4 - Project Hail Mary
20"44 Good Example 4 - The Last of Us Part 1 / Season 1
