The world of arts and literature is a constantly expanding space filled with incredible creative minds that can portray our deepest emotions through the power of cinema, the written word, and several other mediums. However, with such a vast array of media, the metaphors and imagery used in one particular film can often be found elsewhere - leading to what is now lovingly called a ‘media trope’. While originality is something that should still be held in high regard when it comes to writing a novel or making a film, some tropes always seem to capture my attention. Below are just some of the media tropes that I enjoy.
Cannibalism and love
This first trope has gained momentum in the last few years over social media, however, the general metaphor can be traced back many years. The idea of an all-consuming devotion and love for another person is a concept that can, in the most literal sense, only be compared to the act of becoming one with that person - and thus, the concept of cannibalism becomes a grotesque, yet beautiful metaphor. The most popular recent example of this trope can be seen in Luca Guadagnino’s Bones and All, in which two young outcasts find each other and fall in love, despite those around them. This idea of ‘otherness’ that is often also found in these stories has also made the metaphor a symbol of queer love, with both Hannibal and Yellowjackets using this trope in an incredibly meaningful and intelligent way.
Uses of the trope: Bones and All; A Certain Hunger; Hannibal; Yellowjackets
Right person, right time (just not forever)
‘Right person, wrong time’ is a statement that has become attached to a number of popular films, books and TV shows in the last few decades, and in most cases, this is an accurate phrase. However, the trope that I feel is more poignant when it is done well is the idea of two people doing the best for each other, even if it wasn’t meant to be. La La Land is my favourite example of this, despite many classing it as a ‘right person, wrong time’ movie. Our two main characters, Mia and Sebastian, enjoy a beautiful romance in which they gain the confidence to achieve their own dreams, even if this results in them growing apart. The final scene is a gut punch, but it is also a reminder that these two characters did end up getting everything they wanted in the end.
Uses of the trope: La La Land; Normal People; The Worst Person in the World
The Unreliable Narrator
This concept is one of my absolute favourites as it either creates a sense of dread throughout a first read/watch, or provides an earth-shattering plot twist. Fight Club jumps out as having the most memorable unreliable narrator, however, some of my favourites of this trope are those who make it known that they are unreliable from the very beginning. Donna Tartt’s The Secret History sets up the story through the eyes of a flawed and increasingly deceptive protagonist, and this keeps the suspense of the story at a maximum throughout. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is another novel that plays this trope beautifully, as our narrator’s judgement is clearly clouded by the extravagance of Gatsby.
Uses of the trope: Fight Club; The Secret History; The Great Gatsby
Life - the good and the bad
This may be more of a genre than a trope but either way, there is something incredibly touching about the stories that condense a life story into just a few hours/ a few hundred pages. John Williams’ Stoner is a classic of this genre, with its sole intention to quite literally celebrate the ordinary man, someone who strived for the best in their career up until the very end. Other uses of this trope tackle serious struggles and incredibly human experiences. Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight uses several decades in his protagonist’s life to tell a gorgeous yet difficult story of a man who struggles with his identity, sexuality, and growing up feeling different from others. Ultimately, this is a trope that makes us feel human and can provide representation for those who feel like they are alone in the world.
Uses of the trope: Stoner; Boyhood; Moonlight; The Truman Show
A well-timed dance scene
Happiness in serious film and TV is often few and far between when serious topics are being handled, however, when little moments of joy do pop up they create a much-needed contrast. In particular, a well-timed dance scene will never fail to put a smile on my face. For me, the most iconic of these is the ‘living room routine’ dance sequence in The Perks of Being a Wallflower - a moment that doesn’t feel out of place or awkward and instead captures the originality and youth of the characters. Another noteworthy scene has to be the final dance in Little Miss Sunshine, which conveys the film’s overall message beautifully - winning isn’t important, life is all about having fun.
Uses of the trope: The Perks of Being a Wallflower; Little Miss Sunshine; Napoleon Dynamite
A glimmer of hope
Often reserved for the ending of several films, TV shows, and novels, this trope refers to the dark and upsetting stories that feel like they will end as they have begun - with our protagonist losing sight of their dreams and ambitions. However, as the final scenes come into play a tiny glimmer of hope appears - or does it? Films such as Trainspotting and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind leave their audience wondering whether these characters have gone on to live their lives in the seemingly positive way that the end of their films suggests, or if they have fallen back into the habits that created and escalated their conflicts. This is a brilliant trope as it really plays into the audience’s own feelings surrounding the themes of the film/novel, and creates a piece of work that can be looked at from a number of different angles.
Uses of the trope: Trainspotting; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; The Buried Giant
Good for her
In a world that is still dominated by men, sometimes it’s nice to see a girl be in control for once - even if it does involve some psychopathic behaviour. Gone Girl and Midsommar push this trope to the maximum, subverting the ‘cool girl’ or timid ‘girl-next-door’ characters of the past and creating a powerful, cunning, and manipulative new persona. The trope often occurs after our female protagonist has been wronged or experienced trauma -something that occurs far too often in the real world. Ultimately, despite being seen as controversial - the metaphorical use of violence in these films conveys the inequality and double standards that are still seen in the world today.
Uses of the trope: Gone Girl; Poor Things; Midsommar
That concludes my list but please comment on some of your favourite movie/book tropes below! Thank you for reading.