What Does ‘Subverting Expectations’ Mean in Film and Literature?

“Subverting expectations” is a literary term and technique that has to do with using plot twists in a story to surprise and challenge an audience. Storytellers subvert expectations using a variety of techniques in a wide range of mediums like film, television, fiction, and video games. Ideally, the twist or subverted expectation should make sense within the context of the story while enhancing character arcs and challenging genre tropes. Writers may use the subversion of expectations simply for the sake of shock, although more sophisticated uses may deconstruct a genre template and go beyond shock value.

To learn more about how storytellers subvert expectations, explore these examples.

1. 1. Iron Man (2008): The main character of this movie, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), subverts expectations about the superhero genre when he admits his alter ego and gives away his secret identity.
2. 2. The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) by Oscar Wilde: Poet and playwright Oscar Wilde subverted expectations about gender roles and Victorian social norms in this controversial play.
3. 3. Game of Thrones (2011–2019): This influential TV show built its reputation by subverting expectations from the onset, killing off main characters unexpectedly throughout the series.
   
4. 4. Annihilation (2014) by Jeff VanderMeer: In his novel, Jeff VanderMeer subverts expectations about the sci-fi genre with an unexpected character arc for the biologist lead character.
5. 5. Psycho (1960): In Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic thriller, the story subverts the audience’s expectations when the main character of the first act is unexpectedly murdered.

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