Are Plot Clichés Killing Creativity and Storytelling in Filmmaking?

Visual storytelling holds a significant place in recreating resonant experiences, magnifying the awareness that what was individually felt, seen.

Visual storytelling holds a significant place in recreating resonant experiences, magnifying the awareness that what was individually felt, seen, and expressed are in several duplications in other people’s experiences. As such, its ability to evoke emotions and create an immersive connection is immense. A plot with genius storytelling creates a solid foundation for how a piece of cinematic work is to be experienced and perceived by the audience. A failed plot, however, creates a distortion, separating the audience from the piece of work itself.

In recent times, cinematic experiences have exceeded expectations considering the several elements of storytelling that have been employed in creating the visual works. However, it seems the creativity exerted in creating the works has been diluted, thereby resulting in a cycle of plot clichés, badly developed characters, and fast-paced stories that supposedly elongate the distance between the audience and the cinematic work. 

Hence the question: are plot clichés killing creativity and storytelling in filmmaking?

The Power of Storytelling 

Effective storytelling evokes emotions in the audience—joy, sadness, fear, and a whole spectrum of other feelings. This emotional connection is what makes films resonate and stay with us long after the credits roll. Well-developed characters have motivations, flaws, and growth arcs that make them feel inseparable from the reality. The way a story is structured plays a crucial role in its impact. A well-crafted narrative builds tension, creates suspense, and delivers a satisfying resolution. The best stories tap into universal human experiences, allowing them to transcend cultural boundaries. Stories that deal with love, loss, fear, and hope will resonate with almost all people. They can create moments of profound intimacy and connection between the audience and the characters.

For example, most non-fictional stories create familiarity between the audience and what they haven't experienced; with this familiarity, they can relate to things and people. 

However, it becomes a creative problem when the same plot or storyline is revamped. They become easily predictable, less enjoyable and devoid of twists. 

What are Plot Clichés?

Plot clichés are narrative elements or storylines that have become so common and overused that they no longer have a fresh or surprising impact. There are no exciting twists or unanticipated turns. As such, they are often perceived by the audience as a sign of lack of effort, creativity, or imagination in creating such works. 

Why Do Film Writers Use Plot Clichés? 

Film writers use plot clichés because of the amount of interest it aroused from the audience when it was freshly made. So they tend to explore that interest until it runs out. Most times, it doesn't. As an audience, it is easier to pick interest in something that clearly piqued your interest before than something new, so they use clichés because it is familiar and relatable. As such, it’s perceived as the quickest way to communicate with the audience. 

Examples of these plot clichés are 

1. The love triangle—mostly K-drama kind of cliché: The deployment of the love triangle plot cliché in films has become a very popular cliché, hence gaining the same I-know-how-the-story-goes reflex reaction. It reduces the suspense and the originality often expected from creative works. 

For instance, the main lover is already known before the movie starts. Most times, due to how repetitive most of the scenes are, audiences lose interest before the movie ends. 

2. The Fake Relationship: The plot where two people pretend to be in a fake relationship and end up realising they have fallen for each other. We know that story; we have seen it. But it doesn't mean the audience won't see it again, and that is why writers continue using the cliché. 

3. The relationship fight and reconciliation: The plot where a couple are trying to figure out how to foster and nurture their relationship through thick and thin. 

4. Hate to love: The "I used to despise your presence, and now I can't live without you" type of one. The audience knows that if a supposed romantic movie starts with a hate between the main characters, it will surely turn to love at some point. So it doesn't arouse surprise from the audience because it is predictable. 

Effect and Consequences of Plot Clichés 

Clichés, by definition, are overused and familiar tropes, making stories feel predictable and lacking in originality. When readers anticipate a predictable outcome or character reaction, the emotional impact of the story can be diminished. Predictable and unoriginal stories can lead to reader disengagement, as they may lose interest in a narrative that feels repetitive or uninspired.

Overreliance on clichés can be seen as a sign of lazy or uninspired writing, as the author hasn't bothered to create something unique; it can damage an author's reputation as a skilled and creative storyteller. Most importantly, it hinders recommendation. The audience wouldn't like to recommend a movie that wasn't up to par. 

Why Does the Movie Industry Keep Recycling Stories?

1. Because they are perceived as a safe bet, offering a built-in audience and potential for high profits, even if it leads to a perception of creative stagnation. Most importantly, audiences are drawn to familiar stories and characters, making sequels, remakes, and adaptations of popular franchises appealing to studios because they can leverage existing brand recognition and fan bases. And also, recycling stories is seen as a way to mitigate risk. Studios are less likely to invest in original concepts that might not perform well at the box office, opting instead for projects with a proven track record.

Chris Hansen, M.F.A., independent filmmaker and chair of the film and digital media department in Baylor University’s College of Arts & Sciences. Summarised it to the audience and marketing. He said:

“One of the biggest considerations in determining which movies get made, from the studio’s perspective, is marketing,” Hansen said. “That process is made much easier if the intellectual property already exists in the minds of the general public. People know who Batman is. People know who the Avengers are. Half or more of the marketing work is done. When the intellectual property is original, the studio’s marketing arm has to spend a lot more time and money acquainting viewers with the concept and generating interest.” 

Breaking the Plot 

Breaking the loop in the cycle of plot clichés requires a combination of creativity, innovation, and experimentation. Good storytelling, of course, begins with a good script. The director must envision the script as a film that an audience watches.

Film and television dramas are becoming more sophisticated in their use of visual language in revealing stories. Films that tell rather than show weaken and bore us because there is no work left for our own imagination, and we become insulted by the spoon-feeding. We want to work for the story. Don't be afraid to try new things and take risks in your storytelling. Let it not always be what people are expecting; spice it up. 

—Judith Igwedibia