Narrative technique · used in 4 films
Hiding who someone is behind a costume or a stand-in so pursuers and the audience read the wrong person. Who is under the mask drives the twist.
Examples
Michael Curtiz · 1938
Disguises drive some of the best turns. King Richard returns disguised as a monk, and Robin's men sneak into the castle dressed as monks. Who is under the cloak changes who wins.
Where to see it: The castle infiltration. Robin's band enters Nottingham Castle disguised as monks, and Richard reveals himself.
Alfred Hitchcock · 1955
At the masquerade ball, the man dressed as a masked Moor is not Robie. The insurance man switched places with him so Robie could slip away. The police wait and watch the wrong person dance all night.
Where to see it: The masquerade ball. The masked Moor accompanies Frances to her room, and it turns out to be Hughson in Robie's place.
Jean-Pierre Jeunet · 1997
Call is introduced as one of the human mercenaries, and the film hides what she really is. You read her as one of the humans until the truth comes out.
Where to see it: Wren's betrayal: Wren shoots Call and reveals that she is a synthetic from a generation of androids that rebelled against their makers.
Wolfgang Petersen · 2004
Achilles refuses to fight, so young Patroclus puts on his armor and leads the Myrmidons into battle. Hector sees the armor and takes the wearer for Achilles. When he kills Patroclus, you see what the mistake costs before Achilles does.
Where to see it: Patroclus in Achilles' armor. Hector kills him in battle, believing he has beaten Achilles.
Questions