Narrative technique · used in 5 films
Building a plot so that a character's scheme or solution backfires through their own flaw, delivering a fitting and often darkly comic reversal.
Examples
John Huston · 1950
Doc is on his way out of town with the jewels when he stops at a roadside diner. A young woman dancing to the jukebox holds his attention, and the delay gets him recognized and arrested. A careful man loses because he wanted to look.
Where to see it: The roadside diner. Doc watches the girl at the jukebox, and 2 policemen arrest him after finding the jewels in his overcoat.
Guillermo del Toro · 1997
Susan creates the Judas breed to wipe out the roaches that spread a children's disease, and it works. Three years later, the breed has survived and evolved into something far worse. The film makes her responsible for the monster she built to save lives.
Where to see it: The breakthrough: the heroes learn the Judas breed has built a living colony beneath the city, and Susan explains that it has evolved to mimic humans.
Frank Darabont · 2007
David believes there is no hope left and ends his group's lives to spare them from the creatures. Moments later, the Army arrives to clear the mist. His desperate solution backfires in the cruelest way.
Where to see it: The final scene. David runs out of gas, mercy-kills the group, and then the Army arrives.
Martin McDonagh · 2008
Harry follows a strict code about not killing children. His own bullet kills Jimmy, a dwarf actor dressed on a film set, and the code makes him end his own life.
Where to see it: The finish: Harry's bullet kills Jimmy, and believing he has killed a child, Harry takes his own life.
Woody Allen · 2010
Roy takes his dead friend Henry's manuscript and passes it off as his own. It is a hit, and he leaves Sally for Dia. Then he learns Henry is alive in a coma and recovering. The story hands Roy exactly what he wanted and then pulls the ground out from under him.
Where to see it: The news about Henry. Roy is told there was a mix-up in the accident, and Henry is actually in a coma and recovering.
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