Identifying Plot Devices in Movies: A Deep Dive

Movies, at their core, are stories told through visual and auditory means. Like any story, they rely on specific techniques and tools to engage the audience, build suspense, develop characters, and ultimately, deliver a meaningful narrative. These tools, known as plot devices, are the structural and narrative elements that drive the story forward. Recognizing these devices is crucial for understanding how filmmakers craft their stories and influence our emotional response.

What Exactly Are Plot Devices?

Plot devices are narrative techniques used to move the story along, resolve conflicts, complicate the plot, or provide information. They are the gears and levers of the narrative machine, manipulating the characters and events to create a compelling and engaging experience for the viewer. While some plot devices are subtle and seamlessly integrated into the story, others can be more overt and even controversial. The effectiveness of a plot device depends heavily on its execution and how well it serves the overall narrative.

It's important to distinguish plot devices from other cinematic techniques like cinematography, editing, or sound design. While these elements contribute to the overall storytelling, plot devices specifically manipulate the narrative structure and the events within the story itself. Think of cinematography as the brushstrokes on a painting, and plot devices as the composition of the painting itself -- the arrangement of elements that tells a story.

Common Plot Devices and How to Spot Them

Here's a breakdown of some of the most common plot devices used in movies, along with examples and explanations of how to identify them:

1. Deus Ex Machina

Deus ex machina, Latin for "god from the machine," is a plot device where a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly and unexpectedly resolved by an intervention that is completely unrelated to the established narrative. This intervention can be a literal intervention by a god or supernatural being, or simply an improbable event that rescues the protagonist from certain doom.

How to Identify It: Look for a sudden, inexplicable resolution to a major conflict that feels unearned and comes out of nowhere. Ask yourself if the resolution feels consistent with the rules and logic established within the film's universe.

Example: In Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds (2005), the aliens, seemingly invincible due to their advanced technology, are suddenly defeated by Earth's common bacteria. While scientifically plausible, the abruptness and ease of their defeat felt anticlimactic and relied heavily on an external force, rather than the characters' actions or ingenuity.

Why it's controversial: Deus ex machina is often criticized because it can feel lazy and undermines the audience's investment in the characters' struggles. It can make the story feel less believable and less emotionally resonant.

2. Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is a literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story. It helps to create suspense and build anticipation for future events.

How to Identify It: Pay attention to seemingly insignificant details, dialogue, or visual cues that later prove to be important. Foreshadowing often uses symbolic imagery or subtle hints to suggest future events.

Example: In The Sixth Sense (1999), Malcolm Crowe's (Bruce Willis) wife is consistently cold towards him. We see her wearing his jacket, ignoring him, and generally acting distant. These seemingly minor details foreshadow the eventual revelation that Malcolm is actually a ghost and unable to interact with the living.

Why it's effective: When used well, foreshadowing enhances the narrative by creating a sense of inevitability and rewarding attentive viewers. It makes the plot feel more cohesive and well-planned.

3. Red Herring

A red herring is a misleading clue or piece of information that is intended to divert attention away from the true culprit or the actual solution to a mystery. It's a common tactic used in detective stories and thrillers.

How to Identify It: Be wary of characters or plot points that seem suspiciously suspicious. The purpose of a red herring is to create false leads and keep the audience guessing.

Example: In Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960), the initial focus is on Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) stealing money and going on the run. This sets up the expectation that the film will be about her escape and potential capture. However, this is a red herring, as Marion is killed off relatively early in the film, and the story shifts to Norman Bates and the true mystery of the Bates Motel.

Why it's effective: Red herrings can effectively build suspense and create a sense of disorientation, keeping the audience engaged and invested in solving the mystery.

4. MacGuffin

A MacGuffin is a plot device that motivates the characters and drives the story forward, but is ultimately unimportant in itself. It's often an object, a person, or a place that the characters are chasing after, but its specific nature is less important than its function as a catalyst for the plot.

How to Identify It: Ask yourself what the characters are pursuing and why. Is the object of their pursuit essential to understanding the film's themes or resolving the central conflict? If not, it might be a MacGuffin.

Example: In Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest (1959), the microfilm containing secret information is a classic MacGuffin. The specific details of the microfilm are never revealed, and its only purpose is to provide a reason for the protagonist, Roger Thornhill, to be chased and embroiled in a web of espionage.

Why it's effective: A MacGuffin allows the filmmaker to focus on the characters and their relationships, rather than getting bogged down in explaining the details of the object being pursued.

5. Chekhov's Gun

Chekhov's gun is a dramatic principle that states that every element in a story must be necessary and irreplaceable. If you show a gun in the first act, it must be fired in the third act.

How to Identify It: Pay attention to any seemingly insignificant objects, characters, or details that are introduced early in the story. These elements will likely play a crucial role later on.

Example: In Jurassic Park (1993), the security system's vulnerabilities are established early on when Nedry disables them to steal dinosaur embryos. This sets up the later chaos and danger when the system fails completely, allowing the dinosaurs to escape.

Why it's effective: Chekhov's gun creates a sense of purpose and intentionality in the storytelling. It makes the plot feel more tightly constructed and rewarding for attentive viewers.

6. Flashback

A flashback is a scene that interrupts the present-day narrative to show events that happened in the past. Flashbacks are used to provide context, reveal character backstory, or explain current events.

How to Identify It: Look for transitions that shift the scene to a different time period, often accompanied by visual cues like changes in lighting, costume, or set design. Pay attention to how the flashback relates to the present-day narrative.

Example: In The Godfather Part II (1974), the film intercuts between the story of Michael Corleone in the present and the story of his father, Vito Corleone, as a young immigrant in New York City. The flashbacks provide crucial context for understanding Michael's motivations and the Corleone family's history.

Why it's effective: Flashbacks can enrich character development, add layers of complexity to the plot, and create a deeper understanding of the characters' motivations and relationships.

7. Flashforward

A flashforward is a scene that jumps ahead in time to show events that will happen in the future. Flashforwards can be used to create suspense, foreshadow future events, or explore potential outcomes.

How to Identify It: Look for transitions that shift the scene to a future time period, often accompanied by visual cues like changes in technology, fashion, or social norms. Pay attention to how the flashforward relates to the present-day narrative.

Example: In Minority Report (2002), the PreCrime unit uses precognitive mutants to foresee future crimes. These visions are presented as flashforwards, showing the crimes before they actually happen. This creates a sense of unease and raises questions about free will and determinism.

Why it's effective: Flashforwards can create suspense and intrigue, prompting the audience to speculate about how the future events will come to pass.

8. The Unreliable Narrator

An unreliable narrator is a narrator whose credibility is compromised. The audience cannot fully trust the narrator's version of events, forcing them to question what they are seeing and hearing.

How to Identify It: Look for inconsistencies in the narrator's story, signs of bias, or indications that they are mentally unstable or intentionally misleading the audience. Pay attention to the contrast between the narrator's perspective and what is actually happening on screen.

Example: In Fight Club (1999), the narrator, played by Edward Norton, is an insomniac with a dissociative identity disorder. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that he is an unreliable narrator, and the audience must piece together the truth behind the events based on subtle clues and inconsistencies.

Why it's effective: Unreliable narrators can create a sense of unease and uncertainty, challenging the audience to actively engage with the story and question the nature of reality.

9. Cliffhanger

A cliffhanger is a plot device in which the ending of a scene or episode is left unresolved, leaving the audience in suspense and eager to find out what happens next.

How to Identify It: Look for scenes that end abruptly at a moment of high tension or danger, leaving the fate of the characters uncertain. The resolution of the conflict is deliberately withheld, creating a strong desire to see what happens next.

Example: Many episodes of television shows, especially those with continuing storylines, end on cliffhangers to entice viewers to tune in for the next episode. A classic example is the ending of The Empire Strikes Back (1980), where Luke Skywalker discovers that Darth Vader is his father, leaving audiences stunned and eagerly anticipating the next film.

Why it's effective: Cliffhangers are highly effective at maintaining audience engagement and creating anticipation for future developments in the story.

10. The Montage

A montage is a sequence of short shots used to condense time, convey a large amount of information, or illustrate a process. It often includes music and visual metaphors to enhance its emotional impact.

How to Identify It: Look for a series of quick cuts, often set to music, that show a character's progress, a relationship developing, or a significant event unfolding over a period of time.

Example: The training montage in Rocky (1976), where Rocky Balboa prepares for his fight against Apollo Creed, is a classic example. The montage condenses weeks of training into a few minutes, showcasing his dedication and determination.

Why it's effective: Montages can efficiently convey information and emotions, saving time and enhancing the narrative's impact.

11. Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters in the story do not. This creates suspense and allows the audience to anticipate the consequences of the characters' actions.

How to Identify It: Pay attention to information that is revealed to the audience but not to the characters. Observe how the characters' actions and decisions are affected by their lack of knowledge.

Example: In many horror films, the audience knows that a killer is hiding in the closet while the unsuspecting character enters the room. This creates intense suspense and anticipation as the audience waits for the inevitable confrontation.

Why it's effective: Dramatic irony heightens suspense and creates a sense of involvement for the audience, as they become active participants in the storytelling.

12. Breaking the Fourth Wall

Breaking the fourth wall occurs when a character directly addresses the audience, acknowledging that they are in a movie or play. This can be used for comedic effect, to create a sense of intimacy, or to challenge the audience's suspension of disbelief.

How to Identify It: Look for characters who speak directly to the camera, make references to the fact that they are in a movie, or otherwise acknowledge the audience's presence.

Example: In Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), Ferris Bueller frequently breaks the fourth wall to share his thoughts and feelings directly with the audience, creating a sense of camaraderie and making the audience complicit in his adventures.

Why it's effective: Breaking the fourth wall can create a sense of intimacy and engagement with the audience, making them feel like they are part of the story.

13. The Plot Twist

A plot twist is a significant change in the direction or expected outcome of the plot. It can be a surprise revelation, a sudden turn of events, or a change in the characters' relationships.

How to Identify It: Look for moments that challenge the audience's assumptions about the story. A good plot twist should be surprising but also logically consistent with the established narrative.

Example: The ending of The Usual Suspects (1995) features a major plot twist when it is revealed that Verbal Kint, the seemingly harmless narrator, is actually the criminal mastermind Keyser Söze. This revelation completely recontextualizes the events of the film and challenges the audience's perception of the characters.

Why it's effective: Plot twists can create a sense of surprise and excitement, keeping the audience engaged and prompting them to re-evaluate the events of the story.

14. In Media Res

In media res, Latin for "in the midst of things," is a narrative technique where the story begins in the middle of the action, rather than with a traditional exposition. The audience is thrown into the story without knowing the background or context.

How to Identify It: Look for a story that starts with a dramatic scene or action sequence, without any initial explanation of the characters or their situation. The backstory is gradually revealed through flashbacks, dialogue, or other means.

Example: Saving Private Ryan (1998) begins with the intense and chaotic landing on Omaha Beach during World War II, immediately immersing the audience in the horrors of war. The backstory of Captain Miller's mission to find Private Ryan is revealed gradually as the story progresses.

Why it's effective: In media res can immediately grab the audience's attention and create a sense of urgency and excitement.

15. The Chosen One

The Chosen One is a character who is destined to save the world or fulfill a specific prophecy. This character often possesses special abilities or qualities that make them uniquely suited for their role.

How to Identify It: Look for a character who is identified as being special or destined for greatness. They may be born with unique abilities, receive a prophecy, or be chosen by a higher power.

Example: Harry Potter in the Harry Potter series is a classic example of the Chosen One. He is destined to defeat Lord Voldemort and save the wizarding world.

Why it's effective: The Chosen One narrative can be empowering and inspiring, as it celebrates the potential for individuals to make a difference in the world.

Beyond Identification: Analyzing the Effectiveness of Plot Devices

Identifying plot devices is only the first step. The real value lies in analyzing how effectively they are used. Consider the following questions when evaluating a plot device:

• Does it serve the story? Does the plot device enhance the narrative, develop the characters, or contribute to the overall themes of the film? Or does it feel forced, unnecessary, or disruptive?
• Is it believable within the context of the film? Even in fantastical genres, there needs to be a certain level of internal consistency. Does the plot device feel plausible given the rules and logic established within the film's universe?
• Is it earned? Does the plot device arise organically from the characters' actions and the events of the story, or does it feel like a contrived solution imposed by the filmmakers?
• Does it engage the audience? Does the plot device create suspense, intrigue, or emotional resonance? Or does it alienate or frustrate the audience?

A well-executed plot device will be seamless and unobtrusive, enhancing the viewing experience without calling attention to itself. A poorly executed plot device, on the other hand, will feel jarring and detract from the overall quality of the film.

Conclusion

Plot devices are essential tools in the filmmaker's arsenal. Understanding how they work and how to identify them allows us to appreciate the craft of storytelling and to engage with movies on a deeper level. By analyzing the effectiveness of plot devices, we can gain a greater understanding of what makes a film truly compelling and memorable. So, the next time you're watching a movie, pay close attention to the narrative techniques being used. You might be surprised at what you discover!

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