What is a MacGuffin in Film? — The Great Hitchcock vs. Lucas Debate

Have you ever watched a movie where the characters seemed obsessed with finding or protecting some enigmatic object, but by the end, you realized it didn’t really matter all that much? Or perhaps it was the exact opposite—the object or idea felt crucial to the story from start to finish. In both scenarios, you may have encountered the narrative device known as the “MacGuffin.”

Coined by master filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock, the MacGuffin is a plot device that drives the story forward but ultimately has little significance to the overall narrative. It’s the mysterious suitcase in “Pulp Fiction,” the Death Star plans in “Star Wars,” or the microfilm in “North by Northwest”—objects that propel the characters into action but aren’t necessarily important to the audience.

However, not everyone agrees on how a MacGuffin should function. Director George Lucas, for instance, believed that a MacGuffin should carry real weight and meaning for both the characters and the audience. This conflicting interpretation has sparked a heated debate in filmmaking circles: Are you Team Hitchcock or Team Lucas when it comes to the MacGuffin?

What is a MacGuffin, According to Hitchcock?

To fully grasp the MacGuffin concept, we must first understand Hitchcock’s original vision. In his movies, the MacGuffin was a mere catalyst—an excuse to set the plot in motion and thrust the characters into thrilling situations. As Hitchcock famously said, “The MacGuffin is nothing at all.”

Take, for instance, the stolen money in “Psycho.” It’s the reason Marion Crane goes on the run and ends up at the Bates Motel. But by the end of the film, the audience has all but forgotten about the money, as the real focus shifts to the twisted relationship between Norman Bates and his mother.

Similarly, in “North by Northwest,” the microfilm that Roger Thornhill and Eve Kendall spend the entire movie chasing is utterly meaningless. As Hitchcock himself put it, it’s “the emptiest, the most non-existent, and the most absurd” MacGuffin. The true heart of the story lies in the blossoming romance between the two characters, not the microfilm itself.

The Lucas Approach: A MacGuffin with Meaning

While Hitchcock’s MacGuffins were intentionally inconsequential, George Lucas took a different stance. In his films, the MacGuffin held genuine significance for both the characters and the audience.

Consider the Death Star plans in “Star Wars: A New Hope.” Unlike Hitchcock’s MacGuffins, these plans remain crucial throughout the film, as the Rebels use them to ultimately destroy the Death Star in the climactic battle.

Similarly, in “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” the Ark of the Covenant is more than just a plot device. Initially, it seems like any other artifact Indiana Jones might seek, but its supernatural powers are revealed in the climax, making it instrumental in defeating the Nazis.

For Lucas, the MacGuffin couldn’t be entirely replaceable or meaningless. It had to be a tangible object or idea that carried weight and significance, even if its true purpose wasn’t revealed until later in the story.

The Great Debate: Which Approach Reigns Supreme?

So, which approach to the MacGuffin is superior? The answer, as with most things in filmmaking, is subjective and depends on the specific needs of the story.

Hitchcock’s approach is brilliant in its simplicity. By stripping the MacGuffin of any real importance, he could focus the audience’s attention on the characters and their relationships, creating riveting psychological thrillers and mysteries.

On the other hand, Lucas’s method adds an extra layer of depth and meaning to the story. By imbuing the MacGuffin with significance, he could raise the stakes and create a sense of urgency that kept audiences invested in the characters’ quest.

Ultimately, both approaches have their merits and can be effective when used correctly. The key is understanding the purpose of the MacGuffin within the context of your specific story.

Using a MacGuffin in Your Own Projects

If you’re a writer or filmmaker considering using a MacGuffin in your next project, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Understand Your MacGuffin’s Role

First and foremost, you need to decide whether your MacGuffin will be more in line with Hitchcock’s approach (a mere plot device) or Lucas’s method (a meaningful object or idea). This decision will shape how you develop and incorporate the MacGuffin into your story.

2. Don’t Let the MacGuffin Overshadow the Real Story

Regardless of which approach you choose, remember that the MacGuffin should never overshadow the true heart of your narrative. It’s a means to an end, not the end itself.

In “Pulp Fiction,” for instance, the mysterious suitcase is a classic Hitchcockian MacGuffin, but the real story revolves around the intersecting lives of the colorful characters and their moral dilemmas.

3. Use the MacGuffin to Propel the Plot Forward

One of the primary functions of a MacGuffin is to keep the plot moving. It should create a sense of urgency and compel the characters to take action, whether that’s chasing after it, protecting it, or trying to obtain it.

In “Mission: Impossible III,” the “Rabbit’s Foot” MacGuffin serves this purpose perfectly, driving Ethan Hunt and his team from one thrilling set piece to the next without bogging down the story with excessive exposition.

4. Subvert Expectations (If Appropriate)

In some cases, you may want to subvert the audience’s expectations by revealing that the MacGuffin they’ve been chasing is not what it seems. This can be a powerful way to shift the narrative’s direction or highlight a character’s growth.

In “O Brother, Where Art Thou?,” for example, the supposed treasure that Everett and his friends are seeking turns out to be a lie—his real motivation was to reunite with his estranged wife. This twist keeps the audience engaged and reinforces the film’s themes of redemption and family.

Conclusion

Whether you’re Team Hitchcock or Team Lucas, the MacGuffin remains a valuable tool in a filmmaker’s arsenal. By understanding its various applications and using it effectively, you can create compelling stories that keep audiences hooked from beginning to end.

So, the next time you’re crafting a narrative, consider incorporating a MacGuffin—just be sure to use it in service of your characters and themes, not as a distraction from them. After all, as Hitchcock himself said, “The MacGuffin is nothing at all… until the characters start caring about it.”