The ‘Unreliable Narrator’: You'll Be Misled but Entertained

This essay explores a storytelling device in film that is more prevalent than you might think.
The ‘Unreliable Narrator’: You'll Be Misled but Entertained
Ed Bloom tells fantastic stories that his son, Will Bloom (Billy Crudup), finds hard to believe, in "Big Fish." MovieStillsDB
Michael Clark
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The term “unreliable narrator” was coined by Wayne C. Booth in his 1961 book “The Rhetoric of Fiction.” Despite its recent recognition, the narrative device has been used in literature for centuries, and in the movies for almost a century. Writer James Frey defines it as “a narrator who can’t be trusted; one whose credibility is compromised.”

While far from complete, the titles discussed are high-profile movies employing variations on the unreliable narrator. The device generally, but not always, presented in the first person. Please note: There are some plot spoilers in this article.

Michael Clark
Michael Clark
Author
Originally from the nation's capital, Michael Clark has provided film content to over 30 print and online media outlets. He co-founded the Atlanta Film Critics Circle in 2017 and is a weekly contributor to the Shannon Burke Show on FloridaManRadio.com. Since 1995, Clark has written over 5,000 movie reviews and film-related articles. He favors dark comedy, thrillers, and documentaries.