The Secret to Writing Compelling Plot Twists — The Art of Misdirection Explained

Have you ever been watching a film, thinking you have the whole story figured out, only to be blindsided by a mind-blowing plot twist? A great plot twist is a storytelling device that can leave audiences reeling, questioning everything they thought they knew about the characters and the narrative. When executed skillfully, a plot twist can elevate a movie to the realm of unforgettable cinema, sparking discussions and theories for years to come.

However, crafting a truly compelling plot twist is no easy feat. It requires careful planning, meticulous attention to detail, and a masterful command of misdirection. In this article, we’ll delve into the art of writing plot twists that leave viewers in awe, exploring the techniques used by some of the most renowned screenwriters in the industry.

What is a Plot Twist?

Before we dive into the intricacies of plot twist writing, let’s first define what a plot twist is. Screenwriting scholar John Truby refers to plot twists as “reversals” – unexpected developments that radically alter the course of a story, forcing the audience to reevaluate everything they’ve witnessed up to that point. A plot twist can take many forms, such as an identity reveal, a motive revelation, or a shift in timeline, but the end result is the same: a sudden, jarring change in the viewer’s perception of the narrative.

As Truby notes, a well-executed plot twist often affects the entirety of a story, requiring the writer to carefully examine how each narrative element will be altered by the revelation. This level of intricacy is what separates a truly great plot twist from a cheap gimmick – it must feel like a natural, organic part of the story, not a contrived attempt at shock value.

Technique 1: Misdirection

The backbone of any successful plot twist is misdirection – the art of leading the audience toward the wrong conclusion. By carefully planting false clues and red herrings, writers can guide viewers down a particular path, only to pull the rug out from under them with a shocking revelation.

One of the most celebrated examples of misdirection in modern cinema is Christopher Nolan’s “Memento.” In this mind-bending thriller, Nolan employs an unreliable narrator to misdirect the audience. The protagonist, Leonard, suffers from a rare form of memory loss, and the film’s non-linear structure forces the viewer to piece together the narrative through Leonard’s fragmented recollections.

Throughout the film, Nolan emphasizes the importance of a character named Sammy Jankis, who seemingly shared Leonard’s condition. Leonard recounts Sammy’s story in detail, establishing it as a cautionary tale and a means of understanding his own predicament. However, in a masterful twist, it’s later revealed that Sammy’s story is, in fact, Leonard’s own – a devastating revelation that calls into question everything the audience has been led to believe.

Another masterclass in misdirection can be found in Kevin Williamson’s iconic slasher flick “Scream.” From the opening scene, Williamson establishes that the characters are aware of classic horror tropes, setting the stage for a meta-commentary on the genre itself. As the body count rises, the film seems to point toward Billy as the obvious killer, with even his girlfriend Sydney entertaining the possibility.

However, just when the audience is convinced they’ve cracked the case, Williamson pulls the rug out – Billy is indeed one of the killers, but he’s been working in tandem with a partner all along. The true twist is that Williamson has used the audience’s familiarity with horror clichés as a form of misdirection, subverting their expectations in a brilliantly meta way.

Technique 2: Breadcrumbs

While misdirection is essential for a successful plot twist, it’s equally important to leave breadcrumbs – subtle clues that hint at the forthcoming revelation. A twist that comes entirely out of left field, with no foreshadowing or setup, often feels cheap and unsatisfying. By sprinkling breadcrumbs throughout the narrative, writers can ensure that the twist, while shocking, doesn’t leave the audience feeling cheated.

M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Sixth Sense” is a masterclass in breadcrumb placement. On the surface, the film appears to be a straightforward supernatural thriller, but upon closer inspection, there are numerous clues pointing toward the film’s iconic twist. For example, the protagonist, Malcolm, is never seen interacting with anyone other than the young Cole, hinting at his true nature as a ghost.

Similarly, in the “Shutter Island” screenplay, writer Laeta Kalogridis employs subtle breadcrumbs to foreshadow the identity reveal. She emphasizes the tension in the room when a particular doctor’s name is mentioned, and includes jarring, incomplete flashbacks that hint at the protagonist’s troubled past.

By leaving these breadcrumbs, the writers ensure that the twists, while surprising, feel earned and organic – viewers can look back and realize that the clues were there all along, waiting to be pieced together.

Technique 3: Story Structure

The placement of a plot twist within the overall story structure is another critical consideration for writers. While there’s no hard and fast rule dictating where a twist should occur, the chosen placement can have significant ramifications on the narrative’s pacing, tension, and emotional impact.

In Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” the plot twist occurs at the midpoint of the story, completely upending the audience’s expectations. What begins as a heist film suddenly becomes a slasher, with the twist acting as an extreme version of a midpoint – a notable plot point that shifts the narrative in a new direction.

Alternatively, some writers choose to use the plot twist as a transition into the final act, raising the stakes and setting the stage for the climactic confrontation. Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” employs this technique, with the reveal of the family’s sinister intentions occurring around the three-quarter mark, propelling the story into its nail-biting conclusion.

In some cases, the plot twist itself can serve as the climax of the film, as seen in M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Village.” Here, the massive revelation – that the characters are not living in the 19th century, but rather in a modern-day isolated community – serves as the story’s ultimate payoff, explaining the mysterious rules and customs that have driven the narrative.

The placement of the twist within the overall structure has a profound impact on the story’s pacing, tension, and emotional resonance. A well-timed twist can elevate a good film to greatness, while a poorly placed one can leave the audience feeling cheated or unsatisfied.

Conclusion

Writing a truly compelling plot twist is an art form that requires a deft touch, meticulous planning, and a deep understanding of narrative structure. By mastering the techniques of misdirection, breadcrumb placement, and strategic story structure, writers can craft twists that leave audiences in awe, sparking discussions and theories for years to come.

Whether you’re a seasoned screenwriter or an aspiring storyteller, the art of the plot twist is a skill worth honing. By studying the works of masters like Christopher Nolan, Kevin Williamson, and M. Night Shyamalan, you can gain invaluable insights into the nuances of this craft, ultimately elevating your own storytelling abilities to new heights.

So, are you ready to embark on the journey of crafting the next great plot twist? Remember, the key is to misdirect, foreshadow, and strategically place your revelation for maximum impact. With dedication and a deep understanding of these techniques, you can create narratives that will leave audiences spellbound, forever etched in their memories as true cinematic masterpieces.