mysql> explain select film.film_id from sakila.film left join sakila.film_actor using(film_id) where film_actor.film_id is null; +----+-------------+------------+-------+----------------+--------------------+---------+---------------------+------+--------------------------------------+ | id | select_type | table | type | possible_keys | key | key_len | ref | rows | Extra | +----+-------------+------------+-------+----------------+--------------------+---------+---------------------+------+--------------------------------------+ | 1 | SIMPLE | film | index | NULL | idx_fk_language_id | 1 | NULL | 951 | Using index | | 1 | SIMPLE | film_actor | ref | idx_fk_film_id | idx_fk_film_id | 2 | sakila.film.film_id | 2 | Using where; Using index; Not exists | +----+-------------+------------+-------+----------------+--------------------+---------+---------------------+------+--------------------------------------+ 2 rows in set (0.00 sec) mysql> notee