They say clichés are clichés for a reason. They exist to add familiarity andcomfort to storytelling, and are a great tool to move the plot forward. While clichés can be entertaining in moderation, some movies rely too heavily on them, which leads to predictability and, consequently, boredom and frustration.
However, when skilled filmmakers manage to use clichés expertly to create surprising plot twists and deliver a satisfying experience to the viewer, they can be some of the greatest parts of cinema. Here are some of the most cliché tropes and themes that everyone absolutely loves.
The Chosen One
The Chosen One is the kind of trope that just works every time. It always starts similarly. Someone living a relatively normal life, whether it is in our Earth or in their own world, usually feeling just the slightest bit different from the rest of their peers. Not too much to stand out, but enough to feel a little uncomfortable, for there to be an internal conflict. And then, of course, comes the moment of truth. When the protagonist is forced to face the source of that strangeness and realizes they were right all along. They were different that everybody else, and most of the time, unique in a way.
A perfect example of this timeless theme isStar Wars' Luke Skywalker. He was a simple farm boy from Tatooine who longed for a life of adventure. In his search for purpose, Luke joined the Rebellion and began learning the ways of the Force under the guidance of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, whose first apprentice, Luke eventually found out, was his own father. Under the guidance of wise mentors, Luke transforms from an unassuming youth to the savior of the galaxy, taking on the seemingly impossible task of defeating the dark and malevolent Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine.
The Ticking Clock
Establishing a ticking clock is the perfect way to add tension to a movie, regardless of the genre or the theme of the story. The idea that the characters have a strict limit raises the stakes no matter the situation and guarantees the audience will be at the edge of their seat the entire time. But it’s especially exciting when the matter is life or death, and all the odds are stacked against the protagonist.
The movieDon’t Look Up, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Meryl Streep, is the ultimate ticking clock. When two scientists discover a comet headed towards the Earth that will destroy all human life, they rush to look for a way to stop it, but the leaders of the world leaders have other ideas. They only have six months before the comet impacts, and their desperation sometimes gets the better of them, as they seem to be the only ones who care. The viewers share their frustration and anxiety as time runs out, and their eyes remain glued to the screen the entire time.
The Protagonist Quits
After a devastating defeat or loss, the main character is faced with two choices: either they double down and work tirelessly to succeed the next time, or they give up and abandon their goal. It’s always heartbreaking when they choose the latter, but it does build up the drama for their inevitable comeback, usually following a moment of realization.
Tick Tick… Boom!, a Lin-Manuel Miranda movie starring Andrew Garfieldbased on the life of playwright Jonathan Larson, deals with this perfectly. At a pivotal point in the movie, Andrew’s character discovers that, after risking it all for his dream of writing musical theater, it would not be happening for him. At least not yet. Discouraged, he quits his career, seemingly for good, but then a personal tragedy puts things in perspective, and he decides it’s worth to keep going.
Found Family
Very few tropes can beat “found family”. It’s the kind of emotional comfort everyone loves and needs once in a while. The concept of people who have seemingly no reason to come together forming a bond that becomes unbreakable is a beautiful thing, and it reminds the audience that the best family is the one that’s chosen, not the one that’s given, and that everyone can find love.
InMatilda, a neglected young prodigy and a lonely, traumatized teacher find unconditional love in each other. When miss Honey realizes Matilda is not only ignored but mistreated at home, she becomes the girl’s solace. In turn, Matilda’s unflinching optimism helps the teacher overcome her fears and lead the life she wants and deserves. In the end, she adopts Matilda, and the two of them live out their happiest life by each other’s side.
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Although heartbreaking, if well executed, when a beloved character makes the ultimate sacrifice, it can be a satisfying resolution to a dramatic conflict. It signifies that the character knows their goal is bigger than themselves, and they’re willing to give their lives for the greater good.
The most popular example is, of course, Tony Stark inAvengers: Endgame. His death was so unexpected that, for several minutes, people in the movie theater didn’t believe it was real. But it is, in a way, the perfect ending for his character arc. After the events ofInfinity War, Tony had finally found peace despite his losses. He married Pepper Potts and they had a beautiful daughter. But when he was faced with the possibility of getting back what the world had lost, despite knowing he was risking everything he had managed to build for himself, he laid down his life to do it. However sad, it was the perfect ending for his character arc.
Going Back To The Roots
When the protagonist of a movie finally gets everything they have ever wanted, they usually get carried away and tend to forget where they came from. They get too caught up in not losing what they have worked so hard to achieve that they neglect the people that stood by them when they had nothing. Fortunately, that never lasts long, and the moment when they realize they can come back to the people that loved them first always gratifying.
InThe Greatest Showman, Barnum, a man who came from nothing and struggled all his life, finally finds himself having it all. And, naturally, he wants more, thinking it will bring him and his family the glory he always strived for. But betraying his true self ends up costing him everything, and he soon realizes that he would never find what he wanted by pretending to be someone else. So, he goes back to his circus, to the love of his life, hoping they will accept them again.
Two Characters See Each Other Differently For The First Time
Most of the time, when two characters are meant to be love interests, they have that kind of chemistry from the beginning. The movie makes it obvious that they will end up together. But whether the audience knows it or not, it’s always fun to see how the characters will realize their feelings from each other. And there is nothing more exciting than that moment when they see the other in a different light for the first time.
That was the case for Tony Stark and Pepper Potts,brilliantly portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.and Gwyneth Paltrow respectively inIron Man. Throughout the movie, they are presented as employer and employee, if only a lot friendlier than in most cases. But it’s when the two of them meet in a gala and share a dance and a private moment that they abruptly realize their view of the other has changed forever.
The Unlikely Friendship
In every unlikely friendship there is a character that is reluctant to open up to the other, and the process of how they gradually get worn down is adorable and hilarious to watch. Much like inThe Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, where Nicolas Cage finds himself going to a super fan’s birthday party because he’s offered a million dollars in return.
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At first, he’s only interested in the money, but Javi, his fan, is eager to spend time with him, and as he sees how genuinely fun and nice he is, Nick lets his guard down, and eventually they become best friends.
The Blaze Of Glory
This theme usually comes up at the end of a movie or a franchise, when the characters realize that their journey has come to an end. But before they go their separate ways, they have to go out in a blaze of glory, to express how significant their journey has been and how they will never forget it.The Barden Bellas inPitch Perfect 3needed that moment more than they knew. They had graduated and won every accolade that an a cappella group could dream of, but they needed to sing together one last time before they could really start their own lives. Beca realized that, which is why she changed her debut show as a solo artist to include the rest of the Bellas and make sure they had one last unforgettable performance.
The Fake Death
A perfect trick, if well done. It’s the perfect relief after the grief the audience experiences after the loss of a beloved character. Bonus points if the audience has had time to mourn their death before being pleasantly surprised by their sudden reappearance. Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. played this scenario to perfection inSherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, where they played Watson and Holmes respectively. In a movie based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s work, Holmes sacrifices himself to save his best friend. Or at least it seems he does. It’s at the very end of a movie, as we see Watson mourn, that it becomes clear Holmes has somehow survived. Which means we might just get a thirdSherlock Holmesmovie.
