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
Blending archival footage and interviews with fly-on-the-wall moments, the film traces the journey of the celebrated Italian singer.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 July 2025
Rodriguez, as fly-on-the-wall, Che, is off stage one time only which gives him the opportunity to glug a glass of water in the wings all the while observing what’s happening on stage during his short absence.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 July 2025
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
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Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 July 2025
Rodriguez, as fly-on-the-wall, Che, is off stage one time only which gives him the opportunity to glug a glass of water in the wings all the while observing what’s happening on stage during his short absence.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 July 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Fly-on-the-wall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fly-on-the-wall. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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