AEE: How to Connect Over a Twist in a Movie

Summary

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Episode Summary: All Ears English Podcast

Title: How to Connect Over a Twist in a Movie
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Date: November 8, 2025

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Overview

This lively episode explores how to talk about twists and suspense in movies and TV shows, equipping ESL learners with authentic conversational English to connect with friends over entertainment. Lindsay and Michelle break down idioms, expressions, and strategies for sharing excitement about unpredictable plotlines—whether you're recommending something, avoiding spoilers, or just sharing the anticipation with friends.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why Talk About Movie and TV Twists? (04:12–05:32)

• The hosts discuss how conversations about plot twists are a natural and popular topic.
• They stress the importance of having the vocabulary to recommend, discuss, and bond over suspenseful entertainment.
• Michelle: "This is just a really good way to explain a mystery, a thriller. So today we're going to share how to say that a show or a book or a movie is a mystery." (05:13)

Core Expressions for Suspense and Twists

1. Keeps You Guessing (06:06–06:24)

• Lindsay: “First one is, keeps you guessing.” (06:06)
• Used for anything that keeps you unsure about the outcome:
  • Example: “This show keeps you guessing.”
  • Example: “I like to read really exciting psychological thrillers that keep me guessing.” (06:24–06:30)

2. Keeps You On Your Toes (06:32–07:18)

• Means to be alert, ready for anything—applicable beyond entertainment.
  • Example: “It kept me on my toes the whole time.”
  • Example: “I'm binge watching this series because it keeps me on my toes.”
• Michelle: “You're not really on your toes... You're not gonna stand up and watch the show.” (07:06)

3. A Twist (07:24–08:29)

• An unexpected plot development.
  • Example: “There was a huge twist.”
  • Example: “I won't tell you, but it's coming.”
• Michelle: “Something happens that you wouldn't expect. So it's kind of a shocking thing that happens.” (07:34)
• They mention the movie Conclave as particularly “twisty.”
  The English Adventurer: “I did not see it coming at all at the end of the movie.” (08:09)

4. Leaves You In Suspense (10:47–11:02)

• When you’re left eagerly waiting to find out what happens.
  • Example: “Every chapter leaves you in suspense.”
  • Example: “I can't believe they left us with a cliffhanger.”

5. I Didn’t See It Coming (14:10–14:27)

• Used for surprising plot developments.
  • Example: “A huge one. I didn't see it coming.”
• They emphasize this is very natural, real English.

Natural Conversation & Role Play (13:26–14:44)

• Michelle and Lindsay demonstrate recommending a movie without spoiling details.
• Example dialogue:
  • Michelle: “It kept me on my toes the whole time.”
  • Lindsay: “Were there any twists?”
  • Michelle: “Oh, huge one. I didn't see it coming. It kept me guessing.”
  • Lindsay: “Sounds like it would leave me in suspense.”

Cultural Notes and Movie Talk (14:44–15:25)

• Discuss going to the movies, the importance of popcorn, and the atmosphere.
• Share nostalgia and personal stories (e.g., watching Blair Witch Project as a teen).

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Michelle: “To me, there's nothing better than watching something with a good twist.” (08:10)
• Lindsay: “You shouldn't even tell someone there's a twist, right? Because if you tell them... then they'll expect it.” (08:42–08:48)
• The English Adventurer: “We're teaching you real English here, guys. Very real English.” (14:29)
• Michelle: “It's the daily stuff. It's the good stuff. It's the stuff that, like, as human beings, we get sucked into... So having this in your back pocket to make that connection, that's where connection comes from, right?” (17:05)

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Engaging the Audience: Spotify Poll (04:10, 15:25–16:38)

• Listeners are invited to vote: What kind of show or movie would you rather watch: Comedy, Thriller, or Rom Com?
• Clarify what a “rom com” means for ESL listeners.
  • Lindsay: “It's not a comedy, it's not a romance, it's a romantic comedy... like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” (15:56–16:19)
• Encourage participation for community connection and promise to read results in a future episode.

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Segment Timestamps

• Discussing why we love twists: 04:12–05:32
• Expressions for suspense and twists: 06:06–08:29
• Cultural side talk and audience engagement: 14:44–16:38
• Role play demonstration: 13:26–14:44
• Takeaway on connection through everyday conversation: 17:04–17:25

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Takeaways

• Expressing excitement about plot twists and suspense is a practical, connection-building skill in American English.
• The discussed idioms and phrases are commonly used and useful for ESL learners to make natural small talk.
• Pop culture and daily experiences—like chatting about a twisty movie—are valuable gateways to deeper social connections.

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Closing thought from Michelle:
“This is the real stuff. It's the daily stuff... having this in your back pocket to make that connection, that's where connection comes from.” (17:05)

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Participate in the Spotify poll and tune in to future episodes for more authentic English learning!

Transcript

[Michelle Kaplan]

This is an All Ears English Podcast how to connect over a twist in a movie.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Welcome to the All Ears.

[The English Adventurer]

English Podcast, downloaded more than 200 million times.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless.

[The English Adventurer]

And fluent by focusing on connection, not.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Perfection, with your American hosts, Lindsay McMahon.

[The English Adventurer]

The English adventurer, and Michelle Kaplan, the.

[Lindsay McMahon]

New York radio girl coming to you.

[The English Adventurer]

From Colorado and New York City, usa.

[Lindsay McMahon]

And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com subscribe do you find yourself having conversations with.

[The English Adventurer]

Friends about TV shows or movies?

[Lindsay McMahon]

How can you express that a movie kept you guessing?

[The English Adventurer]

Find out in today's episode.

[Lindsay McMahon]

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[The English Adventurer]

Out of the ordinary.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Hey Lindsay, how are you?

[The English Adventurer]

Good Michelle. How have you been?

[Michelle Kaplan]

I'm good. Lindsay, have you read any books or watched any shows or movies recently that kept have kept you guessing about the ending?

[The English Adventurer]

Oh my gosh, yes. Let's see.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I just watched the movie To Catch a Killer.

[The English Adventurer]

It was interesting. It was a good one. It was just one of those I think on Netflix.

[Lindsay McMahon]

And yeah, I was definitely guessing throughout.

[The English Adventurer]

The movie as to what what who the killer was. So yay true crime.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So did you like it? Do you recommend it?

[The English Adventurer]

Yeah, it was a good movie. It wasn't a bad movie. I I it's not the best movie I've ever seen.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. It doesn't sound too great. Yeah, it doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement.

[The English Adventurer]

I didn't it so.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[The English Adventurer]

What about you?

[Michelle Kaplan]

I would say the White Lotus. That's a TV show.

[The English Adventurer]

Everyone's watching this one.

[Michelle Kaplan]

This is awesome. I mean, it's incredibly dirty. Wow. But it's. It's so good. And that definitely you're. The whole time you're guessing, like what's gonna. Yeah, it's really fun because every episode you're kind of guessing what's going to happen. And I would even at night look up people's theories and all this stuff. So it's, it's, it's really fun and I, I love things like that. But it is hard when you watch them. You're not binging them because they're watching them, like when they're actually airing.

[Lindsay McMahon]

And.

[Michelle Kaplan]

And then you really do have to wait and it's so hard.

[The English Adventurer]

You just want to binge. Yeah. Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes. But so love that. That's a great show. So, guys, before we get into it, we want to let you know that towards the end of the episode, we are going to have a Spotify poll for you. So guys, if you listen, you know that on Spotify, if you're listening there, every episode we have a poll question. But there are certain polls that we announce over the air and then we will actually announce the results in a future episode. And this is just a really fun way to interact with our listeners. So definitely wait till the end of the episode so that you can hear what the poll question is. Yeah.

[The English Adventurer]

This is the way you can make your voice heard within our community. We want to get to know you all as listeners. And so putting in a vote in the poll shows who you are.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay.

[The English Adventurer]

So make sure you listen in and participate in the poll at the end.

[Lindsay McMahon]

And while you're here, go ahead and.

[The English Adventurer]

Hit the follow button. If you're in Spotify, follow on Spotify. If you're in Apple, follow an apple.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Wherever you're listening, hit the follow button. Okay.

[The English Adventurer]

Yes.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Perfect.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So, yeah, so this came up because I was speaking with a friend the other day and she said that a certain show kept her guessing. And I thought that this is just a really good way to express. Explain a mystery, a thriller. So today we're going to share how to say that a show or a book or a movie is a mystery.

[The English Adventurer]

Interesting. Love it.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Very important.

[The English Adventurer]

Especially when. If you want to recommend something to a friend or if maybe you're. Sometimes people watch stuff in parallel, like maybe you don't live with the person. It's just a friend. But you're watching together. Right. Do you ever do that? And you're sharing.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Oh, yeah, yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Sure.

[Michelle Kaplan]

And the most exciting is when you didn't know that the person was watching that show, and you realize. And there's that moment of, oh, my gosh, we have to talk. Right?

[The English Adventurer]

Yeah, for sure. For sure. All right, so let's get into some of the things you might say.

[Lindsay McMahon]

First one is, keeps you guessing.

[The English Adventurer]

And this is what you asked me at the top of the show, Michelle. What else?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right. You might hear some also, like, it keeps you guessing until the very end.

[The English Adventurer]

Right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So, for example, you could say, I have no idea what's going to happen. This show keeps you guessing. Yeah.

[The English Adventurer]

Or I like to read really exciting psychological thrillers that keep me guessing.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Okay.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Now let's move on to the next one. It keeps you on your toes. Yeah.

[The English Adventurer]

It keeps you. So that means you got to be on your toes. You got to be ready for anything. Yeah. And this is true not just for.

[Lindsay McMahon]

A movie you're watching.

[The English Adventurer]

This could be true for anything in life. Right. Maybe your kids keep you on their toes. On your toes. Because they're always, like, causing issues or something or you have to respond.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Cute. But yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. Yeah. So, for example, I couldn't put the book down at night. It kept me on my toes the whole time. Or. And you're not really on your toes.

[The English Adventurer]

No, no, no. You're not gonna stand up and watch the show.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[The English Adventurer]

Read the book. That would be funny. Or I'm binge watching this series because it keeps me on my toes.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right. You like it? You like that?

[The English Adventurer]

Some people like that kind of thing. They like to not know what's gonna happen next. Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So. And then we're gonna teach related word. I love this. This is the best. A twist. So this is like a twist in the story.

[The English Adventurer]

It's.

[Michelle Kaplan]

There's more. This is more. Something happens that you wouldn't expect. So it's kind of a shocking thing that happens. And it's also so much fun to learn. Right. So if you think of. Okay. Like, even just. If you think, like, clothes or something, everything is straight, and then you twist them and something changes. So a twist. Something you wouldn't expect.

[The English Adventurer]

The. The most twisty movie that I can think of recently is the movie Conclave. Have you seen Conclave? We won't talk about what the twist is, but it's really interesting. I did not see it coming at all at the end of the movie. So I recommend everyone watch that movie.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Isn't that the best? Like, to me, there's nothing better than watching something with a good twist or reading something.

[The English Adventurer]

Yeah, 100%. 100%.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So. So I thought the murderer was Kate, but there was a huge twist. I won't tell you, but it's coming.

[The English Adventurer]

So you've already seen it. And maybe now I'm watching the show or watching the movie and you're kind of informing me on what to expect, right, Michelle?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, which I really shouldn't do. And we've done an. We've done a show about episode about spoiler alert. So.

[The English Adventurer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

For sure. You shouldn't even tell someone that there's a twist, right? Because if you tell them no, you.

[The English Adventurer]

Should, because then they'll expect it.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Then they might look for it.

[The English Adventurer]

It's true. I've just ruined the movie content for everyone on the show. Yeah, it's true. It's true. So we're taking a quick break and.

[Lindsay McMahon]

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[The English Adventurer]

All right, Michelle. So what else might we say about twists? Right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. So just one more example could be. Did you guess what was going to happen? I really didn't expect the twist.

[Lindsay McMahon]

And then leaves you in suspense.

[The English Adventurer]

Another common phrase. Her style of writing is so much fun. Every chapter leaves you in suspense.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Or I can't believe they left us with a cliffhanger. Every season they leave us in suspense.

[The English Adventurer]

Yeah, I was just talking to someone yesterday about why is it we know it's established knowledge in at least in the podcasting world and that the target market for true crime is women in their like, 30s, 40s, 50s? Why is that? Like, there's a lot of why. Why is that? That that's who consumes true crime?

[Michelle Kaplan]

It is, it is interesting. It's kind of become this joke almost that that's the audience. I don. Assume true crime. Do you?

[The English Adventurer]

No, I really don't, to be honest. And I'm not into it, but only because I haven't gotten into it. Like I haven't found my gateway podcast. Right. Right. I, I, I, But I don't know. I tend to consume news podcasts and more like current events stuff. Maybe it's just not my personality. But why is it that it's mostly women that consume true crime? We'll see if our. Maybe our listeners have a theory. Right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, that is, that is a good question.

[The English Adventurer]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So, yeah, I wonder why. So, yeah. So leaves you in suspense. And then. So, Lindsay, do you, do you really love these kinds of thrillers or mysteries that keep you guessing?

[The English Adventurer]

Yeah, I do. Sometimes I do. I think a good movie like this is fun, but I also like rom coms. I like, I, well, I do like. What is it? Not horror, but what is that one? Not suspense. Thrillers.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I like thriller. Yeah, Thrillers, as you just asked.

[The English Adventurer]

Yeah, exactly. I do like those. Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

I don't like scary, but I, I do like the psychological. I just don't like things popping out at me. I think I've said that before. I don't like. No, like the jump takes or whatever they're called. The jump jump. Like, yeah, I'm not sure if that's the right word, but yeah, but I do love a good twist. Oh, man, that, that to me is the best.

[The English Adventurer]

Did you watch Blair Witch Project when it came out or I don't know, were you too young or like, years after?

[Michelle Kaplan]

I, I did. Well, because I don't like scary movies, but I do think that at some point I watched the Blair, which I do. I did watch it and I think it scared me for a long time.

[The English Adventurer]

Yeah, probably. I watched it right when it came out and it freaked me out. I think I was crying when I first saw it. I was, I was in high school and I was definitely crying. I was like, this is so scary. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So anyways, let's do A role play, Michelle.

[Lindsay McMahon]

So here you are telling me about.

[The English Adventurer]

A movie you just saw.

[Michelle Kaplan]

All right, here we go.

[The English Adventurer]

So how was it?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Oh, Lindsay, it was incredible. It kept me in my toes the whole time.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, fun. Were there any twists?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Oh, huge one. I didn't see it coming. It kept me guessing.

[The English Adventurer]

I'll have to see it. Sounds like it would leave me in suspense, for sure. Nice. Nice.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

[The English Adventurer]

Okay.

[Lindsay McMahon]

All right, let's go through this, Michelle.

[The English Adventurer]

So what did you say first?

[Michelle Kaplan]

All right, so I said it kept me on my toes the whole time.

[The English Adventurer]

And I said, oh, fun. That's a good response there. Oh, fun. Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Were there any twists?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right. And you shouldn't even tell someone there's a twist, but you really should. You asked.

[The English Adventurer]

Yeah, yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

And yeah, I said a huge one. And here's a little bonus expression. I didn't see it coming. Right, Right. I was totally unaware. And then I said it kept me guessing.

[The English Adventurer]

And by the way, we know that that's supernatural because that's what I said when I mentioned Conclave and the twist at the end.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right?

[The English Adventurer]

I said I didn't even see it coming.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right.

[The English Adventurer]

So we're teaching you real English here, guys. Very real English. Yeah. And then I said, I'll have to see it. Sounds like it would leave me in suspense.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, I said, for sure. So, yeah. Very natural conversation.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. I don't know if there are any.

[The English Adventurer]

Good movies in the theater now. I love going to the movies, Michelle. It's like one of my favorite things to do in the whole world. Especially on a Friday night when you're tired. You just want to go get a big thing of popcorn and go to the movies.

[Lindsay McMahon]

But I feel like there's nothing out right now.

[Michelle Kaplan]

I don't even know what's out. That's how bad I am. I have no clue what's in this.

[The English Adventurer]

Well, if I find anything good, I'll let you know.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, yeah, you let me know. You let me know. But. But going to the movie, it's always fun. And the. The sound of people eating their popcorn between the previews and the start of the movie, it's great. But if you don't have popcorn.

[The English Adventurer]

Yeah, you gotta have popcorn. You gotta have something. I mean, that's the movie's experience, right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes, yes, exactly. So, all right, guys, we told you that we had a Spotify poll, so we wanna. We really want to hear what you have to say about this. This is interesting. So, Lindsay, what is the question?

[The English Adventurer]

All right, so which kind of show.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Or movie would you rather watch?

[The English Adventurer]

I'M interested in getting to know our.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Audience and what do they tend to watch?

[The English Adventurer]

So what are the options here, Michelle?

[Michelle Kaplan]

All right, a comedy, a thriller or a rom com. So. And a rom com. I mean, so we're not just talking about a comedy here. A rom com is what, Lindsay?

[The English Adventurer]

Well, it's not a comedy. It's not a romance. It's a romantic comedy. Right. So honestly, these were rampant in the, you know, in the aughts and in the 90s, and I think they're still making them. Usually they're based in New York for whatever reason. Yeah, 90 of them are based in New York, but it's just sort of like fun, like how to Lose a guy in 10 days. That is the classic rom com. Yes.

[Michelle Kaplan]

That was a great one.

[Lindsay McMahon]

It's a great one.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Or My Best Friend's Wedding.

[The English Adventurer]

Oh, yeah, these are classics. These are plain movies. Right? Movies you might watch on a plane. Good. Just good stuff. Good stuff. So what would you rather watch? Guys, make sure to participate in the poll and we'll try to read the results aloud soon in the future. Yes.

[Michelle Kaplan]

All right. And also to check out another episode, head over to episode 2501 of the Allers English podcast. That was just your presence, not your presence. Gifting etiquette and American culture.

[The English Adventurer]

Yes, and. And to take away, to give you guys a takeaway for today. I mean, this is. I mean, you know, we could talk about like aspirational conversations about philosophy and the universe, but this is really what people talk about, right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Exactly.

[The English Adventurer]

This is the real stuff. It's like we did that series on the laundry. That's what people talk about too. It's the daily stuff. It's the good stuff. It's the stuff that, like, as human beings, we get sucked into movies, suspense, TV show. So having this in your back pocket to make that connection, that's where connection comes from, right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes, exactly. All right, well, this is a lot of fun. And yeah, Lindsay, if you, if you find any good movies, let me know. Especially if there's a twist, but don't tell me.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay?

[Michelle Kaplan]

I won't do it. Just tell me you all like it.

[The English Adventurer]

Yeah. All right, sounds good, Michelle. We'll see you soon. Have a good day.

[Michelle Kaplan]

All right, bye.

[The English Adventurer]

You too. Thanks for listening. To all ears.

[Lindsay McMahon]

English. Would you like to know your English level?

[The English Adventurer]

Take our 2 minute quiz, go to allearsenglish.com fluencyscore and if you believe in.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time.

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