Psychological Effects of Movie Cliffhangers 

Many of us have found ourselves in a situation where we planned to watch just one episode of series, only to end up binge watching all night. Do you know why this happens? It’s because of a device that a director use in the movie to keep us hooked. It’s called Cliffhanger. Cliffhanger is a plot device which leave the audience in suspense, that will make them to eagerly wait and watch the next series or next part of the movie. While a director use cliffhanger, he will not give a conclusion and leave the audience with apprehension or curiosity to know the conclusion. 

Terms associated with the cliffhanger are: 

• Resolution  – The part of the movie or narrative, when a plot is resolved contrasting with unresolved tension of cliffhanger. 
• Foreshadowing – It is a plot device that gives clue or hint what will happen in the story later, that also enhances the effect of cliffhanger.
• Suspense – The feeling of anxious uncertainty and or excitement about what will happen in the future. Cliffhangers often enhance result in suspense.

Characteristics of cliffhangers 

• Cliffhangers are more commonly used in the episodic storytelling like television series. Where an episode ends with a plot twist that make the viewer watch the next episode.
• It is not only used in television series, thriller movies but also in dramas and even comedy films. 
• Not resolving the cliffhanger properly may make the viewer feel manipulated and disinterested. 
• Cliffhangers are not limited to end of the chapter or section. It can be incorporated in the middle of the story to keep the viewer vibrant. 

Why directors end a movie with cliffhanger? (Purpose) 

1. Spectator connection: A cliffhanger may encourage the viewer to connect themselves to the character and story, leading to strong emotional connection. 
2. Engagement to movie: It may create a strong emotional response and make the film more memorable. This makes the audience to enquire what happen next, at the same time keeps the story alive in discussions.
3. Creative choice: The cliffhanger leaves the conclusion to audience with questions and provoke thought and discussion about the themes and characters. 

Some movies clearly conclude neatly, while others leave us in ambiguity. Successful cliffhangers balance both the suspense and satisfying resolution to make the viewers curious to see the upcoming part of the movie. Cliffhanger not only denotes the curiosity to watch the next series. It can also be seen in eagerness to know the climax in the same movie, where the audience feel thrilled and watch the movie by sitting at the edge. 

Psychology behind cliffhanger 

Operant Conditioning 

Operant conditioning is a learning processes that modifies the behavior in response to punishment or reward. Behavior that is punished occur less frequently and rewarded behavior will be repeated. In this case, every cliffhanger serves as a reward and push the viewer to see what next. 

Zeigarnik effect 

One of the reasons we get hooked to the movie or series is the Zeigarnik effect. It was first observed by Bluma Zeigarnik, a soviet psychologist. This effect says that people tend to remember unfinished things (i.e. incomplete or uninterrupted tasks) and it triggers our brain to seek closure. When a story is left unresolved, emotional conflict hanging in air and a character left in danger, creates a tension that keep us mentally engaged and make us eager to know what happened next. This steer us toward binge watching or waiting for the next part of the movie or series to be released. 

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) 

FOMO is an apprehension developed in oneself regarding missing out any information, event or experience. This FOMO make themselves indulge more into the story of the movie because of the fear of missing out the crucial information in the plot. This leave the audience very anxious to know what happens next. 

Narrative transportation 

Narrative transportation theory insists that individuals become more involved in the story and start experiencing the character’s emotions and thoughts as if they are own. Cliffhangers can enhance the narrative transportation and make them feel emotionally connected that creates the  eagerness to continue. 

Neurotransmitters that play role in cliffhangers 

You may have planned to watch just one episode that night, but suddenly found yourself watching the entire series. Why? Because it’s just one click away. Let’s explore which neurotransmitter that plays a role in the process. 

i. Dopamine

Dopamine is a “feel good hormone” that is released when someone is facing something new and intriguing situation or information like a cliffhanger. This gives the sense of pleasure and high and that motivates the viewer to seek more information or get involved in. 

ii. Adrenalin 

adrenaline is released when we read a story with unexpected twist. This hormone sharpens the focus and makes oneself hyper-aware of every detail. 

iii. Oxytocin 

Oxytocin is a “love hormone” produced when we form social bonds including. It increases our empathy and investment in storyline. 

Takeaway 

Cliffhangers can be beneficial for directors or story writers to keep the viewer engaged. It is not limited to movies or series but also to novels, comic books and podcasts also. The writer or director should use the cliffhanger certainly. Over usage or using it in unnecessary situation can lead to disinterest to viewers or readers. Cliffhangers use variety of approaches in crafting stories. The possibilities that cliffhangers give to the story is endless.