Narrative technique · used in 2 films
Showing scenes as real that later turn out to be the main character's fantasy. It happens throughout the film, so the line between what they live and what they imagine never settles.
Examples
Robert Zemeckis · 2018
The first scene plays as war fantasy, and only afterward do you learn it is Mark's creation. Later, the film shows his attackers as soldiers shooting at him, so you see the courtroom as he does. You learn to question what you are seeing.
Where to see it: The court hearing: Mark sees his attackers in court as Nazi soldiers shooting at him. He becomes terrified and flees, so the hearing is postponed.
Todd Phillips · 2019
The relationship with Sophie turns out to be entirely in Arthur's head. Scenes you watched as real events are revealed as things he made up. Phillips never announces that you can't trust what Arthur sees. He just leaves enough visual doubt that a careful viewer can spot the cracks before the reveal.
Where to see it: The Sophie revelation. Arthur walks into her apartment and she asks him to leave. The relationship never existed.
Questions