If you’re a fan of sci-fi, Steven Spielberg’s movies (and the movies of other filmmakers he’s influenced) doubtlessly hold a place somewhere in your fondly-remembered past. And with twenty-six films over four decades, certain stylistic choices and themes keep repeating themselves. TIME video editor Valerie Lapinski noticed five of these ways you’ll know it’s a Spielberg movie. Check them out in the supercut video below.
- Daddy issues
- Streams of light
- Awestruck faces, which Matt Patches dubbed “The Spielberg Face”.
- A character looks through a window and we see both their expression and the reflection of what they’re seeing.
- The music of John Williams, which has been in every Spielberg film except The Color Purple (scored by Quincy Jones).
Thanks to /film for the assist. Banner picture courtesy Universal Pictures.