A character looks at something. The next shot shows what they see. That is a point of view shot, or POV. It shows the audience what the character is looking at, from the character's perspective. It creates identification, tension, and immersion. The audience sees through the character's eyes. They share the character's experience. It is one of the most powerful tools in cinema.

The POV shot is often used in horror. The killer stalks the victim, and the camera becomes the killer's eyes. The audience sees the victim from the killer's perspective, creating dread. It is used in action, where the camera becomes the hero's eyes as they run, jump, and fight. It is used in drama, where the camera becomes the character's eyes as they look at a loved one, a letter, or a memory. The POV shot creates intimacy. It puts the audience inside the character.

The POV shot is usually preceded by a shot of the character looking. That shot establishes whose point of view it is. Then the POV shot shows what they see. The sequence is called a shot-reverse shot pattern. It is a fundamental technique of film language. The POV shot is not always literal. It can be subjective, showing what the character imagines or remembers. It can be distorted, showing a drunken or drugged perspective. It can be used for comedy, showing a character's exaggerated view of the world. The POV shot is a window into the character's mind.