fly-on-the-wall
adjective
ˈflī-ȯn-ṯẖə-ˈwȯl 
-än-
: having or involving an inconspicuous but effective point of observation
fly-on-the-wall observations of aspects of daily life—
Will Manley
Will ManleyExamples of fly-on-the-wall in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Art of the Surge takes a fly-on-the-wall filmmaking approach.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
When McBride isn’t answering the director’s questions and when Joynt is able to fade into the background, the documentary, which asserts little visual style other than fly-on-the-wall presence, is able to witness moments that showcase the unguarded McBride.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
The full drama of St Johnstone’s season has been filmed as part of a fly-on-the-wall documentary that hopes to project what makes Scottish football so intoxicating.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Director Stuart Meltzer embraces Jacobs-Jenkins’ fly-on-the-wall sensibility.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
The Encampments The Bottom Line A compelling fly-on-the-wall document.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025
Also set for the FAST channel is The Basement Tapes, a fly-on-the-wall series that began rolling out on YouTube last year.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025
The unique setting and immersive quality of the show add a fly-on-the-wall feel to the show.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
The Hutchins documentary is coming out as TLC is airing The Baldwins, a fly-on-the-wall reality show about Alec and Hilaria Baldwin and their seven children, which began shooting just as Baldwin’s manslaughter trial was about to begin in Santa Fe last summer.
—Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025
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Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
When McBride isn’t answering the director’s questions and when Joynt is able to fade into the background, the documentary, which asserts little visual style other than fly-on-the-wall presence, is able to witness moments that showcase the unguarded McBride.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
The full drama of St Johnstone’s season has been filmed as part of a fly-on-the-wall documentary that hopes to project what makes Scottish football so intoxicating.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Director Stuart Meltzer embraces Jacobs-Jenkins’ fly-on-the-wall sensibility.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
The Encampments The Bottom Line A compelling fly-on-the-wall document.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025
Also set for the FAST channel is The Basement Tapes, a fly-on-the-wall series that began rolling out on YouTube last year.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025
The unique setting and immersive quality of the show add a fly-on-the-wall feel to the show.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
The Hutchins documentary is coming out as TLC is airing The Baldwins, a fly-on-the-wall reality show about Alec and Hilaria Baldwin and their seven children, which began shooting just as Baldwin’s manslaughter trial was about to begin in Santa Fe last summer.
—Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fly-on-the-wall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fly-on-the-wall. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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