Filmmakers create complex endings and plot twists that genuinely surprise audiences. You can spot a lazy twist ending from a mile away, but a well-crafted one is often the most memorable part of the movie or show.
It seems like spoiling a story would make it less enjoyable, but research shows that extra information makes a narrative more satisfying. This may be because it allows you to appreciate the artistry that goes into the story – like knowing Kevin Spacey is Keyser Soze in The Usual Suspects.
What Is a Plot Twist?
A plot twist is a surprise change in the storyline that leaves the audience surprised and wanting more. It’s a popular technique in TV shows, movies, and books to keep audiences on their toes and invested in the story. There are many different types of plot twists, but most involve a reversal or reveal that changes what the audience thought they knew about the story. These can be subtle or shocking, but they should always be unexpected and not telegraphed by any previous details.
Plot twists can happen at any point in the story, but they’re most effective when they take place closer to the end of the story. They can change how the audience understands previous events, or they can help to shape their expectations for the final resolution of the conflict. They can also be used to create tension by withholding information that the audience is expecting to see.
Sometimes, a plot twist can be so big that it can change the entire course of the story. This type of twist is often called a “twisting ending.” For example, in the movie Fight Club, the final revelation is a huge change from what everyone expected and completely alters the outcome of the film.
Other times, a plot twist can be more subtle and occur in the middle of the story. For instance, in Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, the reader or viewer thinks that the protagonist will be able to survive on a raft with a tiger, but then it’s revealed that it’s actually a human and that he’s representing one person among many in a zoo.
There are many other examples of subtle plot twists that can happen in the middle of the story, but the most important thing is to be sure that it’s unexpected and not a reversal of something the audience already knows. Otherwise, it’s just a reversal and won’t have as much of an impact.
Another way that a plot twist can be inserted into the middle of a story is by planting it within a character’s backstory. This is a great way to make a character seem more interesting, as it can catch the audience off guard and cause them to question everything they’ve known about that character. For example, a character might reveal that they killed someone in the past and this could change how the audience perceives them moving forward in the story.
How Do Plot Twists Work?
Whether in film, television, or books, plot twists can make or break the entire story. A good plot twist should surprise, shock, and leave the audience with a strong emotional response. It should also make sense in retrospect, as well as match the themes and atmosphere of the narrative. In addition, it should be woven into the character’s portrayal from the beginning, as this will increase its impact and credibility.
One way to create a twist is to foreshadow it through action or dramatic dialogue. However, it is important not to reveal too much, as this will make the twist less shocking and less effective. For this reason, plot twists often come at the end of a scene or near the ending of a chapter.
Another way to create a plot twist is to use flashbacks to reveal unexpected details about a character’s past that will change how the reader understands the present storyline. This type of twist is usually more subtle than a big reveal and can be effective in building suspense and creating tension in the story.
A third way to create a plot twist is to have a character do something that completely changes the storyline. This could be anything from revealing a secret to betrayal or even suicide. This is a great way to create drama and tension, and it can be especially powerful when the character in question has been portrayed as the good guy or girl throughout most of the narrative.
A final way to create a plot twist is to surprise the audience by changing the expectations that they had built up about the storyline. This can be done by introducing a new conflict or twisting the audience’s perception of the events that have already happened.
While plot twists are most commonly associated with mysteries, thrillers, and suspense fiction, they can be used in any genre. For example, a fantasy author might surprise their readers by revealing that their favorite hero is actually a mortal. A YA author might twist the genre by killing off their main character (see Allegiant by Veronica Roth). This can be both terrifying and thrilling for the readers, and it will keep them thinking about the book long after they have finished reading it.
How Do You Know When a Plot Twist Is Going to Happen?
The best plot twists come out of left field, catching audiences by surprise. However, they also need to be based on some amount of foreshadowing, especially with respect to the villain. A classic example is the reveal in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire that the true villain was right under the hero’s nose all along — Barty Crouch Jr. in disguise as Peter Pettigrew.
For a plot twist to work, the writer must plant plausible clues throughout the first act that lead up to the payoff. Otherwise, the reader may guess the twist and feel cheated. BhagyaLakshmi Written Update is so surprising that it stays with the reader long after they close the book or turn off the TV. Examples of this include a sudden reversion to the past, such as analepsis used by Alfred Hitchcock in Marnie or Sergio Leone in Once Upon a Time in the West.
How Do You Prepare for a Plot Twist?
One of the keys to a good plot twist is surprise. Your audience must be shocked by the twist or it won’t work. This means you can’t simply drop the twist on the reader without preparing them for it.
You must plant clues throughout your narrative that lead up to the twist, a process called foreshadowing. This helps to prevent your audience from predicting what’s coming and makes the twist feel less like a gimmick. For example, if your twist is that the killer is actually someone who appeared early in the story as a supporting character, you could plant hints that they may be the murderer throughout your story. This can be done through action scenes and dramatic dialogue that reveals clues without making them obvious.
Another tip is to avoid relying on coincidence. While coincidences do happen in real life, too many will make your twist seem contrived and unrealistic. Finally, you must follow your twist with some kind of resolution or conclusion that satisfies your audience. If you just leave your twist hanging, it will become a mere gimmick and you’ll lose credibility with your audience.
The best way to prepare for a plot twist is to put yourself in your audience’s shoes and think about what they will expect from your story. What plot twists would you want to see in a TV show or book? Write down these ideas, and then try to build them into your narrative.
Finally, never resort to a plot twist simply for its shock value. It must also be logical and fit within your narrative world. If you kill off every character in your story just to make a shocking revelation, it will eventually wear out its welcome and your audience will begin to question whether your plot twists are actually meant to be interesting or not.
While some plot twists are revealed in the middle of the story, most are delivered near the end. This allows you to ramp up the tension and action before delivering the twist, and it gives your audience momentum to keep reading after the reveal.
