Film & Television vocabulary · Genres and Storytelling
Plot twist
Meaning in film & television, with examples
/ˈplɒt twɪst/nounCore term
In film & television, plot twist means: A sudden, unexpected development in a story that changes how the audience understands what has happened.
In Turkish: beklenmedik gelişme, sürpriz son, ters köşe
How it is used
Often just called a twist: a big twist, a twist ending, I didn't see that twist coming. Writing a twist that is surprising but still fair is hard. Revealing a twist before others have seen the film is a spoiler.
Example sentences
The plot twist in the last episode changes everything we thought about the father.
Don't tell me the plot twist, I'm watching it tonight.
Common collocations
shocking plot twist
twist ending
see the twist coming
final plot twist
Related terms
plotThe series of connected events that make up the story of a film or series, and the order in which they are shown.
cliffhangerAn exciting ending to an episode, season or film that leaves an important question unanswered so the audience wants to see what happens next.
thrillerA genre of film or series built on suspense and excitement, in which characters face danger and the audience wonders what will happen next.
flashbackA scene that interrupts the present action of a story to show events that happened earlier.
