"So, what did you think?" is a fine start, but it tends to end in a round of "it was good". These questions work with any film. You don't need all of them: choose three or four, and let the conversation go wherever it wants.
To open
Have everyone give a score first, in silence. Then:
Which moment do you remember first?
When did you decide whether you liked it?
Was it the film you expected from the first ten minutes?
Who would you recommend it to, and who should stay away?
On the story
Whose film is it really? Is the main character the most important one?
Which decision by a character annoyed you?
What does the film leave out, and why?
Did the ending feel earned?
What would change if it were set in another country or another decade?
On how it's made
Which shot would you put on the poster?
When did you notice the music, and when did you notice its absence?
Which scene ran too long, and which should have run longer?
Which performance would be hardest to replace?
What is the film doing that only a film can do?
When the group disagrees
Who gave the highest and the lowest score? Let them make their case.
What would it take to change your score by two points?
Is there something you admire but didn't enjoy?
Is the film better or worse than the idea of the film?
To close
Has your score changed since we started talking?
What will you remember from this film a year from now?
Which film would make a good double bill with it?
One tip: vote first
Scores given before the discussion are more honest, and the gap between them is often the best way into the conversation. On Cinema Circle a live vote shows each member's score and the distribution as soon as the film ends, and you can see at a glance who to ask first.
FAQ
How many questions do you need for a movie club?
Three or four is plenty. One good disagreement can fill the rest of the evening.
How do you start a film discussion?
Have everyone give a score in silence, then ask the people furthest apart to explain.
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