Welcome on board Physics in Frames!
Here is where cinematic storytelling meets the laws of the universe.
As a film student with a camera in one hand and a very dog-eared copy of “Physics for Dummies” in the other, I’ve always been fascinated by how filmmakers translate the invisible laws of our universe into visual poetry.
I’m not a physicist – far from it. The equations that govern quantum mechanics might as well be hieroglyphics to me. But I do know the story. I understand the visual metaphor. And I’ve spent years studying how directors use every tool at their disposal to communicate complex ideas through the language of cinema.
That’s where this blog comes in.

Why Physics in Frames?

Physics shapes our understanding of reality – how time flows, how space bends, and how particles dance in ways we can barely comprehend. Cinema, at its best, does something similar: it reconstructs reality, bends time through editing, creates spaces that exist only on screen, and visualises the invisible.
When filmmakers tackle physics concepts, something magical happens. Abstract theories become tangible experiences. Mathematical concepts transform into emotional journeys. The incomprehensible becomes if not fully understood, at least felt.

What to Expect
In the coming months, I’ll be exploring how different directors – not just Christopher Nolan, though his work certainly warrants discussion – have visualised physics concepts throughout cinema history. Together, we’ll look at:

• How the simple match cut in Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” communicates more about time and evolution than a textbook could
• Why Tarkovsky’s long takes in “Solaris” create a uniquely disorienting experience of space
• The ways Darren Aronofsky visualises chaos theory in “Pi”
• How the Wachowskis translated quantum possibilities into bullet time

I’ll consult with actual physicists along the way when possible, who have graciously agreed to explain whether what we see on screen is related to actual science or purely artistic license.

The Approach

Each analysis will start with the film itself—the visual language, narrative structure, and cinematic techniques—before exploring the physics concepts and how accurately they’re portrayed. I’ll be learning alongside you, breaking down complex theories into understandable pieces through the lens of cinema.
Sometimes, filmmakers get the science spectacularly wrong but communicate the emotional truth of a concept brilliantly. Other times, we might discover surprising scientific accuracy in unexpected places.

An Invitation
This blog is not meant to be a one-way conversation. If you’re a physicist who loves film, please correct me when I inevitably make mistakes. I’d love to hear from you if you’re a filmmaker with insights into how you’ve approached scientific concepts. One thing I’d like is to be respectful in every way, this is a blog meant to share and learn through our passion for both science and cinema. And welcome on board!
Let’s explore the physics in frames together.

Next week: “Time Dilation and Emotional Weight: How Interstellar’s Visualisation of Relativity Created New Possibilities for Cinema”