Best Already-Made Scripts

Every year the board of movies sets aside a list of scripts called the "Best Unmade Scripts of the Year". These are movie scripts written by movie writers which are liked by the producers, directors and film makers - but for some reason they are unable to make the movie that year. These scripts aren't tossed aside rather, they are listed as "Most Liked Unmade Scripts" and so on. Thus, filmmakers will make the movie using these scripts when the conditions are favourable.

But what are the "Best Already Made Scripts"? Yes. Which movies have some interesting scripts that are still fun and exciting to read through – despite the movie having been already shot, directed and illegally watched by fans worldwide? This article looks at some of the choices I MADE for best scripts which are already made.

How did this come to be? Well, it is expensive downloading and illegally watching movies – so in the lockdown, I sometimes read scripts and imagine the story in my head.

1. The Village - by M. Night Shyamalan

M. Night Shyamalan AKA Mr. Twist Endings (also what we say when all our spiral potato chips are finished); this is a movie that you have to watch, even if you do not usually watch the director's other works. 

M. Night Shyamalan has brought forth some questionable films in the past (Avatar: The Last Airbender, Glass, After Earth). However, whether you like his horror movies or his twist Endings, "The Village" will have you asking, "Wait! Did that really happen?" to your friends. The cast includes a pre-Joker Joaquin Phoenix (meatier Phoenix), and an alluring performance by Bryce Dallas Howard. Compared to his other plot twist stories, "The Village" may have a less exciting, some may say even bland twist. However, it is an overall interesting experience that works on a simple but unnerving concept. 

If you're going to watch the movie, I'd suggest you go in (-to the theatre) with an empty mind. The story has a couple of rules that the characters have to follow and that should keep you engaged. Even after finding out the twist, there are weird and unexpected turns the story can take. I'm allowed to use the word 'twist' seven times per article, so, here – twist!

2. Kill Bill - by Quentin Tarantino

I am a sucker for revenge movies. There's just something heartwarming about watching bad people to bad things to main characters, and then, subsequently witnessing the main character do some dibs, grab some guns and hunt the villains down. In this movie, the protagonist’s choice for grabbing is a katana in the hunt for the titular Bill. 

There are many action packed sequences in this four hour fighting frenzy, but that should not overshadow the story elements. Beatrix "The Bride" Kiddo used to be part of an international assassin organization whose old life comes to haunt her on her wedding day. While reading the script, I noticed how Quentin Tarantino actually wrote the scenes with actress Uma Thurman in mind. "An actor of Uman Thurman's calibre", Tarantino writes, will be able to kill it in any performance she's given. 

Interestingly, there are two additional scenes which did not make it into the movie. One section called “Yuki’s Revenge” featuring Go Go Yubari's twin sister. Another is a subplot involving getting a nurse after the Bride gets injured. For “Yuki’s Revenge” they could have filmed it by bringing actress Chiaki Kuriyama whose role in “Battle Royale” still gives me chills 20 years later. Regardless, even without these scenes the finished film became a classic in the revenge flick genre.

3. Us - by Jordan Peele

I have watched Peele's "Get Out", which the comedian-director made as a debut in the horror genre. Honestly, I didn't wholly understand that film and I cannot begin to comprehend "Us". There are some things which simply cannot be understood. This film's script, however, details the harrowing days that a family of four has to go through while staying near the beach.

The idea behind the story seems interesting and Jordan Peele has used many references scattered throughout the script. The main conflict begins when four doppelgangers invade the home of Adelaide and her family. Trapped, shocked and confused they have to find a way to escape their predicament and survive. 

The story is written in an eerie manner with flash forwards and flashbacks all over. Nevertheless, the story is well paced and easy to follow; although a few plot points and details will leave you asking many questions. Nowadays we have an array of slasher and serial killers in the horror film section, and seeing a new perspective on this type of movie is always refreshing. Be sure to go on the hunt for the various metaphors that are hidden, something like a... like a... like a (something to do with bunnies)? Easter Egg hunt? 

Even if you do not watch the movie, the script reads like a horror story that you could enjoy in your trapped-home situation – the COVID pandemic.

4. Take Shelter - by Jeff Nichols

I struggled to remember the actor who played General Zod in Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel". So, when I did find out his name, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Michael Shannon gave an unforgettable performance in 2011's horror movie - 'Take Shelter'.

The story follows a middle aged man, Curtis, living in a small town with his wife (Jessica Chastain) and hearing impaired daughter. They are as normal a family as can be with a deaf daughter. Curtis works at a construction company. Things take a turn for the weird when he starts having strang and spooky dreams. One involves hitting a pedestrian in the rain. Other dreams/nightmares have ominous storms approaching him on realistic fashion. When he has a dream about his pet dog biting him, he decides to get rid of the family pet.

To him, these dreams are realistic and horrifying. However, to his family, it appears as if he is in great mental anguish. Therefore, Curtis decides himself to seek mental help.

He is unable to overcome his anxiety and worries, and thusly, seeks to rebuild the old storm shelter that they have in their lawn. It is a horror story that every man or woman can relate with, the greatest horror of all time – MANAGING YOUR HOUSE BUDGET!

So, without any spoilers, go watch “Take Shelter’ or read the script here.