Other mistake: It isn't clear if the poster of the Solar System outside the school was cut off on the right, showing half of Neptune, or if the ninth planet at the time (Pluto) was accidentally omitted. IF the poster was supposed to be complete, its exclusion of Pluto would be an error for the time period (1969) because Pluto was not downgraded to a "dwarf planet" until 2006. Perhaps, only half of Neptune was shown in order to not have to address the changed status of Pluto, making this a deliberate mistake. (00:32:36)
Suggested correction: Neptune isn't cut off, it shows as a complete circle on the "poster" (looks more like a board).
Other mistake: The issued sidearm for the Spanish National Police is the H&K USP 9mm Compact, which has a capacity of 13+1 bullets, and the Civil Guards' is the Beretta 92fs/M9, which is a 9mm and has a magazine capacity of 15+1 bullets. As of 2020 the Beretta is being phased out for the H&K USP C. The police officer fires a total of 5 bullets from his Beretta then the slide locks back because its dry. He has no magazines for reloads either. I highly doubt the Spanish police issues 5 bullets to their officers. (00:33:00 - 00:35:30)
Continuity mistake: Samantha placed the bottle of glue on top of the metal object she glued, but the bottle of glue was on the desk and the metal object was gone when the doorbell rang. (00:04:56)
Continuity mistake: Lisa's glass was around one-third full. After she took a relatively long drink (leveling the glass to her mouth), the glass was still one-third full when she set it on the bar. Views from the opposite side showed the glass to be fuller, then returned to one-third. (00:55:33 - 00:56:00)
Continuity mistake: Ed Harris plays a property manager character and is featured in the beginning of the movie, walking with a pronounced limp, a seemingly painful gait. His character is shown in many other nominal scenes throughout the movie without limping. Most notable, shortly before the end of the movie, his character is shown dancing wildly, spastically, and jumping to music, seemingly unencumbered and fluidly, in a way that his character in the first part of the movie would not have been capable of doing.
Factual error: Before Tom landed in the puddle, there was water dripping or it was raining on it, but it wasn't raining when he was on the rooftops. After Tom landed, the water drops/rain suddenly stopped. Even if the water drops were from earlier rain running off the roof or other parts of the building, they would not be hitting the whole way across the puddle or that far away from the edge of the building. (00:02:34)
Continuity mistake: The changes/inconsistencies in how the lobsters were arranged on Frank's and Hildy's plates cannot be accounted for based on their movements while eating/cracking them open. (00:59:35 - 01:00:37)
Factual error: There was a lot of thunder and lightning before the lightning strike that set the barn on fire, but there was no obvious loud thunder AFTER the strike. Lightning can be seen BEFORE the sound of thunder (because lightning travels faster than sound). (00:03:25)
Revealing mistake: When Alana is walking toward the students, the hedges are mostly dark green, sheared level across the top, and reach to her elbows. Later (after Gary tells Alana he will take a mirror), the hedges turn mostly yellow and flower-like across the top, are quite uneven, and are as high as her shoulders in spots. (Use of a green screen is apparent). (00:00:40 - 00:01:26)
Suggested correction: One look at the scene make it apparent this entry is totally incorrect. The bushes look natural. The yellowness is just colour grading. There is no sign of green screen usage whatsoever. It would make no sense for this film, especially if you realise that director PT Anderson is known to be very much against the use of any sort of VFX or green screening.
Character mistake: After banker Karl was reported missing from his home, the police detective did not even think to locate his car - which he could have merely driven away in (meaning he was not kidnapped).
Revealing mistake: When Julie is running around the city whilst all the extras are stood frozen, there is a moment where she is walking next to a small park, before beginning to turn right and run down a road. Once she runs onto the sidewalk after running down the road, two girls can be seen stood on the same sidewalk holding hands. The girl on the right can be seen moving her right hand ever so briefly, even though the extras are all supposed to be standing completely still. (00:54:35)
Factual error: The movie largely takes place in California during the 1990s. California's mandatory seat belt law went into effect 1/01/86. When Mickey was driving Kyd to the cemetery, they were not wearing seat belts. Also, Kyd was 8 years old at the time. Although legally permitted to ride in the front, it is advised that kids sit in the back seat for safety. Considering Lyla was recently killed when a driver ran a stop sign, Mickey should have been more concerned for Kyd's safety as a passenger. (01:12:58 - 01:15:05)
Revealing mistake: After Charlie talks to Emma in Francine's old bedroom and is standing in the doorway, the background (segment of the hallway) is obviously fake. Shown are less than five of the top steps on the staircase, only a fraction of the size of real steps. The lower section of the banister is also a reduced size. (01:31:35)
Other mistake: Packie arrived at Frank's garage on a bicycle, wearing a brown coat, hat, gray hooded sweatshirt, patterned shirt, and a T-shirt. Swaino arrived on a motorcycle, wearing a tight jacket, no hat, black gloves, and black jogging jacket with white trim. When they were outside by the grill, they had large sweaters over their coats. It isn't known where these sweaters came from. It can be assumed the blanket Swaino used at first was from Frank's garage, but the sweaters did not appear to be Frank's. (00:25:32 - 00:37:35)
Continuity mistake: When Hagmaier is in the Florida State Prison room waiting for Bundy, his hair changes. Initially, his short bangs are straight across the middle of his forehead. When Bundy sits down, Hagmaier's bangs and top of head are "fluffier" (perhaps blown dry) and combed to the side. (00:11:05)