Every
story has a narrator – a voice or view that is expressed.
Whether it’s from first, second, or a third person perspective, a story
generally follows characters through a series of events. These events are told
to us, the outsider, and allow us to live vicariously through the characters
experiencing them.
But have we ever stopped to ask if we should believe in our narrator?
If you've seen the films Fight Club or American Psycho, then you are aware that relying on the main character’s perspective does not always result in the story being told truthfully. The audience is lead to believe one perspective is factual, but it is later revealed to be false. This is what we call the unreliable narrator – one whose view is anything but credible.
(See
above film, it’s fantastic)
There are other films that use the unreliable narrator and tell you point blank that you might want to keep an eye out on this plot because it’s going to get weird, really fast. This includes mind-benders like Inception, Pan’s Labyrinth, or The Grey. The audience isn't told what happens, but is instead left with an open ending. This is basically a slap in the face, a taunt to the audience, and the cruellest effect of unreliable narration. You may drive your audience insane with the need for justice, but you will have succeeded in creating an unforgettable tale. You need to make your audience believe one thing and then be left with questions such as:
Wait, so did she create this all or was it true?
Is that wolf breathing or is he under it like in that Disney movie, Tarzan?
Maybe you don’t want them asking that last one, but you get the point. You as a writer are to be the puppet master. The audience is Little Red Riding Hood and you are the Wolf in Grandma’s clothes. They are the spoiled prince and you are the ugly witch that is going to curse his ass if he doesn't pay attention. Now fly, my pretties, and be the devious narrators we were all meant to be. After all, who has fun being reliable, anyway?
