Plot twists are one of the most effective ways to surprise, intrigue, and challenge your audience. They can make your story more memorable, unpredictable, and engaging, as well as reveal new layers of meaning and character. But how can you use plot twists to create engaging stories in the film industry? Here are some tips and examples to help you craft your own twists.
Different genres have different expectations and conventions for plot twists. For example, in a thriller, you might want to use a twist that reveals a hidden enemy, a shocking betrayal, or a dangerous secret. In a comedy, you might want to use a twist that creates a humorous misunderstanding, a ridiculous coincidence, or a clever reversal. In a drama, you might want to use a twist that changes the emotional stakes, the moral dilemma, or the character arc. Know your genre and what kind of twists work best for it.
Genre is important but the craft that may be required to provide a twist is more important, to me at least. I regard Munroe, who wrote with the popular pen name, Saki, as a master of twists, with equal ease in any genre that he did write in. In modern film making, different directors and writers seek twists and over time work on that genre to build a mark of themselves. Like the Turani Brothers, whose twists are always laden in fast paced thriller plots versus a Karan Johar who will fail in that genre completely. The point being, that a great writer will manage a twist in any genre but we get such only once in a lifetime. Take for instance Satyajit Ray. He could provide twist in a thriller and drama, alike and with aplomb.
I believe that the best plot twists are in fact, character twists. EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, we learn something new about Darth Vader. PSYCHO, has a great plot twist, but then we learn something new about who Mother is. SE7EN, great plot twist, but hinges on character. THE SIXTH SENSE, who's the ghost? Sure, THE PLANET OF THE APES isn't so much a character twist, but it's there to comment on Theme/Character, while it functions as a great plot twist.
I would caution that the story should be engaging before you incorporate a twist. The engagement should not hinge on the twist. Write a solid story first, and then a twist will make it truly stand out. Think of it this way, can you rewatch one of your favorite movies with a twist? If so, that's because the rest of it is a good story.
A good plot twist should not come out of nowhere, but rather be supported by clues and hints throughout the story. However, you don't want to make these clues too obvious or too subtle, as they might spoil the surprise or confuse the audience. Instead, you want to use foreshadowing and misdirection to balance the clues and the red herrings. Foreshadowing is when you plant seeds of information that hint at the twist, while misdirection is when you distract the audience from the twist by focusing on something else. For example, in The Sixth Sense, the foreshadowing is the fact that the protagonist never interacts with anyone except the boy who sees dead people, while the misdirection is the suspense and horror of the boy's encounters with the ghosts.
A plot twist should not only surprise the audience, but also satisfy them. It should make sense in the context of the story, the characters, and the themes, and not contradict or undermine them. It should also add value to the story, by creating new conflicts, resolutions, or insights, and not just be a cheap shock or a gimmick. It should also be original and creative, and not rely on clichés or tropes that have been done before. For example, in The Usual Suspects, the twist that reveals the identity of the mysterious mastermind is surprising, satisfying, and original, as it reinterprets the entire story, the character motivations, and the genre conventions.
Be creative and not afraid to experiment. Get a hook that gets their attention. Sometimes the most outlandish presentation with also good taste is what the modern day viewer is wanting to connect to.
A plot twist can also be a way to subvert and challenge the audience's expectations, assumptions, and beliefs. It can make them question their own perspective, their own morality, or their own reality. It can also make them empathize with a different point of view, a different side of a conflict, or a different aspect of a character. It can also make them reflect on the deeper meaning and implications of the story, the theme, or the message. For example, in Fight Club, the twist that reveals that the protagonist and his alter ego are the same person is a subversive and challenging twist, as it exposes the psychological and social issues of the character, the genre, and the audience.
A plot twist is not something that you can just throw in at the last minute, but rather something that you need to plan, test, and refine. You need to make sure that your twist is logical, consistent, and coherent, and that it does not create plot holes, inconsistencies, or contradictions. You also need to make sure that your twist is impactful, meaningful, and satisfying, and that it does not disappoint, confuse, or annoy the audience. You can test your twist by asking yourself questions, such as: Does it fit the genre? Does it follow the clues and hints? Does it add value to the story? Does it subvert and challenge the audience? Does it surprise and satisfy the audience? You can also test your twist by getting feedback from others, such as: Do they see it coming? Do they understand it? Do they like it? Do they have any questions or criticisms? You can then refine your twist by making adjustments, revisions, or improvements, based on your own judgment and the feedback you receive.
Plot twists are a powerful tool for filmmakers to create engaging stories, but they also require careful planning, execution, and evaluation. By following these tips and examples, you can use plot twists to surprise, intrigue, and challenge your audience, and to make your story more memorable, unpredictable, and engaging.