| by John Finnegan
One of the fundamental principles of screenwriting is simple yet critical: don’t lie to your audience. If you establish a major plot point, especially something as impactful as a character’s death, honor it. Flipping the script later without proper justification can undermine your story's emotional stakes and the trust your audience has placed in your narrative.
A prime example of this misstep is seen in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. While the film is lauded for its action and suspense, its handling of Nick Fury’s supposed “death” serves as a cautionary tale for screenwriters.
How to Write for Audiences: Breaking Trust in The Winter Soldier
Early in the film, Nick Fury’s dramatic death is portrayed with conviction. From a gripping chase sequence to a tragic flatline in the operating room, the story invests significant emotional weight in convincing both the characters and the audience that Fury is gone. Captain America and Black Widow mourn him, and his death becomes the driving force behind much of the film’s tension.
However, it’s later revealed that Fury faked his death for reasons that, frankly, feel inconsequential compared to the narrative setup. The audience's emotional investment in his death turns out to be unwarranted, diluting the story’s impact.
This issue is compounded by the context surrounding the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Fans were well aware that Samuel L. Jackson, who plays Fury, had a multi-film contract with Marvel. This made his “death” less believable from the outset, further weakening the plot twist’s intended impact.
The Importance of Trust in Storytelling
Lying to your audience in this way can erode trust, which is already a fragile element in modern storytelling. Today’s viewers are savvy; they’re constantly analyzing clues and predicting outcomes. When you break that trust by blatantly reversing a major plot point, you risk losing their engagement.
Compare this to a well-executed example of misdirection in Raiders of the Lost Ark. When Marion is presumed dead in an explosion, the film never explicitly confirms her death. Instead, it’s presented through Indiana Jones’s perspective—he believes she’s gone, and we share his grief. This allows for a surprising but believable reveal when she turns up alive later. The key difference? The film never tells the audience something untrue; it lets them draw conclusions organically.
Crafting Effective Plot Twists
Plot twists are a powerful storytelling tool, but they must be handled with care. The most effective twists don’t hinge on outright deception but on leading the audience to make logical assumptions based on the information provided. This is how to write for audiences. When the truth is revealed, it should feel both surprising and inevitable in hindsight.
For example, consider the emotional climax of Avengers: Infinity War. While shocking, the scene’s weight is undermined for some because Marvel had already established a pattern of reversing such moments. When you repeatedly “kill” characters only to resurrect them later, you teach your audience to doubt the stakes, diminishing future emotional payoffs.
Lessons for Screenwriters
To avoid these pitfalls:
Use Misdirection Thoughtfully: Let the audience make assumptions based on character beliefs, not false narrative claims.
Respect Emotional Investment: If you ask the audience to care about a major event, honor its significance in the story.
Consider Long-Term Impact: Repeatedly undermining dramatic moments can weaken future storytelling.
Ultimately, your audience isn’t just watching your story—they’re investing in it. Treat them with respect, and they’ll stay engaged. Betray their trust, and they might stop believing in your narrative altogether.
Remember: a well-crafted twist doesn’t need to lie—it simply needs to surprise.
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