‘Movie whisperer’ uses motion pictures to connect people

MARIETTA, Ga. — Movies are generally considered entertainment, but Bryan Coley believes they can also educate. He’s picked up the nickname the “movie whisperer” over the years, some kind of film fortune teller or prophet of motion pictures. He got a film degree from New York University and worked for Turner Broadcasting for over a decade before starting Reel Experiences in Marietta.

“We developed these methods that were around having them find themes, connections and threads inside their movies they could write about,” Coley said. “Then, when I tried it on everyday folks, it blew up. People were literally changing their lives based on the insights they were finding in their movies.”

Coley now uses movies as a map to help people learn more about themselves. He said movies can reveal who people are, what they want, and what motivates them by tapping into emotions and personal connections.

“When something moves you, whether it’s laughter, tears, to action or entertainment, it really is speaking to who you are and your story,” Coley said. “It’s such an accessible, fun way for people to be able to connect in this world.”

Stepping back in time, Coley takes one top ten movie list, unique only to them, and leads them on a journey of discovery, finds the intersection where movies meet the inner self and links people together using film. Coley can also predict the future somewhat using the Academy Awards’ best picture nominees.

“The Oscars are seemingly irrelevant, but to me, they’re the most relevant thing,” Coley said. “It’s just that we’re focused on the party. We’re focused on the trophies. To me, we should be focusing on the meaning of the movies.” 

In 2016, movies of survival asked how humanity might make it in a new world order. 2017’s best picture nominees asked how society might bind together or be divided, going back to the past to delve into the question. Coley said 2025’s best picture nominees posed the question of defiance, in one case quite literally defying gravity. 

For 2026, Coley spotted themes of parenthood and the relationship between a creator and their creation in the best picture nominees. He said ownership also comes up a lot as a common motif in these films.

As for Coley’s favorite movies, he pointed to The Sound of Music, Moneyball and It’s a Wonderful Life. He said others have told him he sees each person individually and as diamonds in the rough, advocating for others every step of the way.

Coley said movies are so connecting, a study done by the University of Rochester showed that if couples watched movies together and talked about them afterward, they reduced their divorce rate by 50%. Coley said he will soon launch the reel story map, a way for folks to conduct Reel Experiences no matter where they are.

“We’re so disconnected as a world,” Coley said. “If I can use movies as a way for people to see each other more clearly, I want to do that for the rest of my life.”