The Denouement Explained - Writing a Denouement Like Scorsese, Kubrick, and The Coens
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ค. 2024
- What is Denouement - how to write an ending with examples of denouement from The Departed, Midsommar, The Shining, Inside Llewyn Davis, and Hell or High Water.
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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Denouement
00:57 - Definition & History
01:27 - 3 Elements of Denouement
02:01 - Denouement by the Book
05:21 - Alternatives & Exceptions
06:05 - Denouement in Hell or High Water
07:34 - Denouement in Zodiac
08:00 - Denouement in The Shining
08:31 - Denouement in Midsommer
08:52 - Denouement in Inside Llewyn Davis
09:36 - Wrap Up
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WHAT IS DENOUEMENT
The denouement in a story is that last bit of storytelling after the climax has concluded. It’s the story’s last chance to wrap up loose plot points, harken back to the theme, and bring a sense of closure and resolution to the narrative. In other words, writing a denouement might just be the most important part of the storytelling process. In this video, we’ll look at some examples of denouement from The Departed, Midsommar, The Shining, Inside Llewyn Davis, and Hell or High Water to see the various ways how to end a movie.
LET’S DEFINE DENOUEMENT
Denouement is a French term that literally means the act of “untying.” Think of how tangled and complicated things get between the plot, the characters, and the obstacles in their way as the story moves forward. Then when the dust settles from the climax, the storyteller can begin untying all those threads. Three goals can be considered when writing a denouement: to conclude the conflict, recall the theme, and deliver the resolution. There is no magic formula for writing an ending; each story brings its own specific ratio between these considerations. In fact, some films end without a denouement at all. Let’s look at some examples of denouement and how they approach their endings.
EXAMPLES OF DENOUEMENT
The Departed ending is a fantastic example of how to end a movie. The Departed denouement hits all three of these goals in the last two pages of the screenplay and the last 4 minutes of the film. It concludes the conflict - Sullivan seems to have emerged as the victor, and his secret as a mob spy remains intact. It delivers resolution, especially between Sullivan and his failed relationship with Madolyn, and also by Dignam bringing satisfactory vengeance by ending Sullivan’s life. It also recalls the theme - both Costigan and Dignam were attempting to transcend their social status, but by taking on false identities, they both ended in ruin. The final shot of the Massachusetts State House (Sullivan’s ideal of the perfect life) along with a scurrying rat help bring the theme to the fore.
But the use of denouement should be tailor-made for every screenplay. Hell or High Water ends with resolution and theme, but there remains an unsettled conflict between Toby and Marcus. The Shining concludes the main conflict but complicates its resolution by asking more questions rather than providing all the answers. Midsommar skips the denouement entirely, ending during the climax, but we do get a hint of resolution in the final shot. And Inside Llewyn Davis forgoes any real narrative resolution and instead uses the denouement to highlight the theme of the film - if he doesn’t become a better person, Llewyn is doomed to repeat the same mistakes.
These examples of denouement illustrate the variety of options you have when deciding how to write a great ending. Some stories truly benefit from a thorough denouement, while others are better off leaving resolution, conflict, or themes unfinished.
#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking
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♬ SONGS USED:
"The Return of the King" - Howard Shore
"Mauretania (Instrumental)" - Sam Barsh
"Fearful Continuity" - Josh Mccausland
"I'm Shipping Up to Boston" - Dropkick Murphys
"Cops or Criminals (feat. G.E. Smith & Larry Saltzman)" - Howard Shore
"Miss Thing" - Howard Shore
"The Departed Tango" - Howard Shore
"Runways" - Stanley Gurvich
"Robbery" - Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
"Time" - Hans Zimmer
"Main Title (The Shining)" - Rachel Elkind
"Fare Thee Well (Dink's Song)" - Oscar Isaac and Marcus Mumford
"Contact" - Downtown Binary
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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Denouement
00:57 - Definition & History
01:27 - 3 Elements of Denouement
02:01 - Denouement by the Book
05:21 - Alternatives & Exceptions
06:05 - Denouement in Hell or High Water
07:34 - Denouement in Zodiac
08:00 - Denouement in The Shining
08:31 - Denouement in Midsommer
08:52 - Denouement in Inside Llewyn Davis
09:36 - Wrap Up
Plz explain unifying theory of 2+2
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Can you make a video explaining about What Is Movie Age Rating like General Audience (G), Parental Guidance Suggested (PG), Parents Strongly Cautioned (PG-13), Restricted (R) and No One 17 and Under Admitted (NC-17)
I starts wondering since I watch Morbius and The Batman and also X-Men Apocalypse...Morbius is pg-13 but didn't feel like it which kinda bloodless while The Batman feel darkly good...X Men Apocalypse has a scene where Wolverine cameo massacre a whole army and blood spreed everywhere and still Pg13...so what make it the way it is
I would love it if you include Tremors in your case studies. It's a one of a kind that stands on its own.
As someone that is studying cinematography and directing this is by far the best channel to follow to understanding everything!
Thanks for watching!
I’m similar. Directing and screenwriting🙂.
PLANET OF THE APES is a great example. Placing the Statue of Liberty buried in sand achieves the "untying" without a single line of dialog necessary.
I love the denouement in The Social Network. At the beginning, all Mark wanted was to be on the inside, to fit in with people, to be in a final club. And then when he finally gets to be on the inside at the end and have his own final club, he’s more alone than ever. Plus, I always get a little chuckle out of Marilyn Delpy’s “you’re not an asshole, mark” line solely because I know he actually is an asshole and a bad guy irl.
Great way to put it!
Love that you nodded to The Graduate at the end. It's got to be the most memorable "nothing" ending I've ever seen.
A classic!
It's not nothing they're married! That's the classic "something" for a romantic movie lol!
@@samaraisnthahaha
Exactly
Boy meets girl, gets girl, runs off and gets married, against ALL the odds, sacrificing all his privilege for her.
The dark knight trilogy has Excellent denouement. Alfred meet Bruce in Florence as he wished.
But I think it would have been even a greater scene if they didn't show us Bruce and Selina in the end and just Alfred sitting in the cafe, looked at someone and just smiled.
That would've also worked too!
It may have divided people over the meaning as in "oh look, Alfred just met someone and now there is someone in his life." Then much to the filmmaker's dismay, a debate and controversy emerges which could overshadow the success of the film. Also it's interesting how James Bond is so scarred about women but not Bruce Wayne after having a literal knife put in his back by his last flame. Fortunately he wasn't bitter.
@@spinsandneedles I think a movie should leave something for debate. Alfred told Bruce about it. So when the same scene repeats at the end audience will go for a debate about it's Bruce or someone else.
I think I Alfred was just imagining it all.
I love your comment. To end it just as happily surprised look comes on Alfred's face would have been the coolest denoument I can imagine!
Phantom Thread has one of the best examples of how to end a conflict without proper resolution. I personally didn't LOVE the ending at first but after a while I started to appreciate how it was the only way to resolve the conflict without spoiling the story with an unambiguous, predictable ending.
Could you please briefly sum up Phantom Thread’s ending again? Would greatly appreciate it!
@@KushagraaDubeyy I would, but it would be a huge spoiler for anyone, I suggest you watching the movie.
@@chandniku1770 totally get what you’re saying and I have seen the film twice when it released but I actually was unable to recall the ending probably because with PTA movies, one is so entranced by every scene that it doesn’t even matter if you miss the plot or the story. But the thing is anyone who’s coming to such a review video is aware there will be spoilers.
@@KushagraaDubeyy he basically accepts that he is being poisoned and goes along with it.
@@juju10683 ahhh, that was the major point huh. Thanks for reminding me.
Shawshank Redemption give us one of the best denouement in cinema history. Conclude the conflict when both, Andy and then Red, got out of prison, recall the theme when Red start to belive in Hope, and the resolution when they got together for the happy end that cause them 30 years.
Is this the best TH-cam channel about everything related to the world of movies, scripts, camera work, etc? The answer is: HELL, YES.
I first hated La La Land's denouement, and didn't even know what denouement meant at the time. But since then, it's become one of the most impactful and loved cinema moments for me. I like that it triggers me, as I want a happy ending. And it makes me respect the relationship and stakes of the entire film even more.
Loved that ending
That ending is very revealing on so many levels, mostly about audience preferences. I LOVED it and it reminded us that the relationship was really a mutual support for success in their respective fields. No really romance. Mia only made it bc Seb made her go to the big audition.
O my god, u re probably THE ONLY ONE who actually WATCHED the la la land. Together with that other one whatever it was
I loved how in Pulp Fiction even though it wasn’t the latest part chronologically it still wrapped up Jules and Vincent’s journey. Also it was cool how they wrapped Butch’s story midway through the film. Jules and Vincent just ended earlier. Also I loved Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent how it suddenly went from real life to a movie adaptation of everything that happened. To me that was a movie nerds perfect film. I saw it on my 16th birthday
Both very creative approaches to their writing
The editing at 1:32 tying those three shots together via music is absolutely sublime. Well done!
I agree, their motion graphics artist Ryan clearly does an amazing job, and so does Chris their video editor.
🙏 We appreciate that
My all-time favorite is the end of the Sixth Sense staring Bruce Willis....
That was great. Pity we cannot unwatch the ending after we have seen it once. Spoils the whole movie if u know the ending
my favorite denouement might be berserk (1997) and its source material. it shows the antagonist fully devoured by his dream and the protagonist suffering the consequences of his fatal mistake of taking his comrades for granted. I've watched a lot of tragedies and drama films before but I've never seen a denouement so drilled into my head not only in memory but also how by how strongly its themes resonate.
Well put
Learn something new every time you release a new video. Thank you for all your hard work and great educational videos! Always an entertaining watch!
The editing when you say “lets dive into denouement” and showing Queenan flying down the building made me laugh out loud lol y’all went crazy on this one
haha we try to every video
Very entertaining and informative video! I love the denouement of Wind River (written by Taylor Sheridan, who also wrote Hell or High Water) because it provides closure for the story and characters while revealing what the story has been about the whole time; grief, and how we deal with it.
That's a great film!
Two really superb, understated movies.
Thank you for the warning about the spoilers before starting the explanation. Great video as always.
Cheers!
The only TH-cam channel I’m willing to pay to watch. I owe you guys so much ♥️♥️
One of the best denouements I've ever seen is in the TV show Babylon 5. Where from the very first seasons we're told the show will end with the station being destroyed.
But what changes is the cause of the destruction, from invasion to it having succeeded in it's purpose and being decommissioned.
It really reflects on the idea that journey is what matters even if the result remains the same in some way.
For film I like the denouement of Avengers: Endgame. It serves as a kind of reflection on the themes and ideas of the Infinity Saga itself.
Agree on all points
@@StudioBinder Thank you, I love your work.
It's always a pleasure to watch these high quality videos =J
I'm not studying cinematography or anything like that, but since I've discovered this channel it has been the better source of learning about that and therefore about musical videos, even when that's not exactly the same as a movie, which is very convenient because I have a band but I've always struggled to find appropriate videos that serve as examples for our own music.
Anyway, thanks!
Good luck on your projects!
The denouement for the "Hangover" trilogy shows the following: all of the guys are happily married, their friendship with a reoccurring character has ended, and wake up in the morning with no memory of the groom's bachelor party catalyzing another string of mishaps for themselves.
that was a good one haha
I swear this channel is a blessing.
I love your storytelling videos and how they apply to any form of it. Thank you!
Hope it helps!
Narrator's voice is so soothing
That's why he's here :)
I really like the way Nolan uses the Denouement. Especially in Memento....'now where were we?'.......
He loves denouements that throw us for a loop 😅😅
this video was useful THANKS
StudioBinder with another instant classic!
Happy filming!
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Love our viewers!
Simply StudioBinder :)
It´s really a pleasure watching ur videos.
Thanks for bringing always the best quality!
Where can I donate? I don´t see the heart button.
Thanks for watching!
Oda, the creator of one piece, is a god at this, idk how many times you come to the end of an arc and boom there will be one thing or a line of dialogue that makes everything make sense, and you just burst into tears
Another great video! Thanks a lot, guys!
Cheers!
Super informative as ever👌👌👌
Amazing video, thank you!
Thanks for watching!
This channel is such a treasure😍😍😍
Another great video.thx.
Thanks studiobinder teams
Thanks for watching!
Thank you!!
Thanks for watching!
Amazing ! Thank you StudioBinder.
I understand now the Meaning of The Denouement. As the Conclusion of the Story.
The Denouement of the Movie The Departed (2006) defines Sullivan as the Antihero and true Antagonist of the Story.
And many other Great Movies like The Dark Knight (2008) / Taxi Driver (1976) / Blade Runner (1982) / The Shawshank Redemption (1994) defines the Denouement Brilliantly.
Enjoy!
Excellent denition of the denouement, and great examples as well.
Glad you liked it!
Great video! I still love the ending of Enemy (2013) with its shocking snap back into dream logic.
The denouement of The Power of the Dog happens about three days after you first watch it, when it finally all falls into place and you realise you've watched an entirely different movie from the one you thought you were watching
Good way to describe it
this channel is the best i hope the videos will continue
we're not going anywhere ;)
@@StudioBinder ❤❤❤ so glad to hear it !
Love actually and About time are absolutely great examples of a positive denouement
👍👍
Awesome!!!
Thanks for watching!
thank you
This is so odd. I was just talking with someone about the ending of Dunkirk and then I saw your post. Dunkirk resolved things for the young soldiers who got to go back home after they are rescued, but Tom Hardy's character gets captured and becomes a POW after his plane runs out of gas and he lands on the beach while that beautiful music is playing. We can only guess what happens to him. So satisfying and tragic all at once.
Dunkirk is such a great film, don't you think?
It's well worth watching!
It would have been extremely frustrating had we not known how WWII ended or for that matter who was who in the historical context. I think it is a great film but resolution is uncertain for the men who were rescued because it's likely most of them would be sent back.
I can not watch war movies ever. Especially based on real events
Incredible & Thanks :)
Thanks for watching!
your narration is wonderful
Thanks!
Harold & Maude final car scene cutting to Harold safe and playing trans-digetic banjo music that transitions to Cat Stevens for the end credit roll.
I'm 77 y.o. and Harold and Maude has to be in my top three favs of all time.
So many great Maude quotes:
SO I'LL ALWAYS KNOW WHERE IT IS
WELL THEY'RE MY SPECIES
TO ME THEY'LL ALWAYS BE BEAUTIFUL BIRDS
HAROLD, GO AND LOVE SOME MORE
other 2 favs? not that you asked......
NOW VOYAGER
SHAWSHANK REDEMTION
One of the most wonderful denouements that I have seen comes in "Chariots of Fire". Harold Abrahams wills the gold medal he has been so tenaciously persuing all his life, but it is Eric Liddell's run to glory the day or so after with Abrahams watching in the stands that makes it clear to him (Abrahams) that there is something in Liddell's way that he cannot achieve.
Another chapter, another class but Same professor🎞️🛸 Mr. STB 🔥 and lot's of excitement 🎉🎉
Who is stb??
@@yotakota205 studiobinder
Simply Studio binder
class in session!
I love the ending of The Departed, but another film with a great denouement is Inglourous Basterds
💯🙌
Quentin Tarantino films always have the best final scenes. They end so quickly but I always feel good inside when the credits start rolling
Portrait of a Lady on Fire had one of the best denouements I've ever seen. It lets you know that while the romance did not get a happy ending, the love remained. It was brutally realistic and didn't over explain either.
thank you for enlightening me for Hell or high water ending! honestly hadn't got satisfaction before (cuz i expected more action and someone must pay everything etc), now i know it's a good way to end the movie, that consistent with the theme and everything in the movie, perfect denouement.
Happy to help!
@@StudioBinder luuuurve this channel very much, bruh
I hit like even before the video starts, like when I am watching the ad. Bow down before me.
Simply put being ambiguous without resolution suitable for thriller and horror movie.
That is a common trend for those genres!
This was excellent overview. For me, its heist films that tend to have some of the most entertaining denouements, namely, what happens to everyone involved after the crime? Do they get away or do they get caught/killed? Crime Wave (1953) and Heat (1995) are two that come to mind.
Heist films do have great plot structures for it
It could be said that the entirety of Reservoir Dogs is an extended denouement
@@bubediscuss Not quite. The important part of Res Dogs is that Tim Roth's character is a cop. The crime itself is not the point of the film, the theme of betrayal is.
the denouement in The Dark Knight Rises is really something! after 3 great movies it ends really with success
It was a great resolution!
I paused this video half a second before the brother gets killed to watch Hell and Highwater. And now I’m back to watch the rest of the video. Holy timing 😭😭
Perfect timing haha
The denouement in "Birdy" was simply one word: "What?" You knew exactly what was going on.
Nice movie explained 😀
movies*
Thank you for being my film school ❤️🎞🎬🎥
Always :)
@@StudioBinder thank you for making my day! Wow 🤩
1917 had that recalling the theme denouement with Opening and ending with the same frame...and Memories of Murder too
Yup, thematic opening/closing shots!
Honestly, the first film I though of with a great Denouement is Hot Rod. Hits all three elements quite well.
Good choice :)
After watching and studying this class,
I guess skipping the Denouement to end "SCARFACE " was an EXCELLENT choice.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
You didn't like the ending?
Naah I luv it.
Tony Montana was a great protagonist as well as antagonist he had the quality of both sides.
I think that's why they made the choice
to end the movie like that.
Neither victorious nor cowardly .
I like the dénouement in _Walk the Line._ They wanted to show a type of resolution and mending of relationship w/Johnny Cash & his daddy in a subtle way. So they just show this scene of his daddy playing with Johnny & Loretta’s daughters as John watches, then they get summoned by his mama & Loretta to come eat (or something like that). It doesn’t show how they resolved, just they obviously did because of the interpersonal harmony.
For me Brazil (the real edit) has one of the best Denouements in any film. Also, Chinatown now I think about it.
Both are great!
If what you explained is Denouement. Prisoners has the best one that left me in shock for quite few days.
That one is a trip
Yeah, i first watched it with low sound so i was like YES! The bastard got his comeupping for torturing the innocent boy. But then my husband was watching it afterwards with higher volume and i heard the whistle. I was like whaaaat? The ending SUCKS. Booooo. Very wrong existentially.
Also, with the ending of the Departed, Sullivan's death ties back into what Costello says to Sullivan as a kid "When you're faced with a loaded gun, what's the difference [between being a cop and a criminal]?"
Is Sullivan a cop, or a criminal? Well, he's faced with Mark Wahlberg's gun, so... what's the difference?
First of all half a movie i could not understand why the same dude works for cops and for other guys until i saw di caprio and damon together. They look so alike. Then i was kinda glad that di caprio was killed accidentially because i did not like he was squealing on jack nicholson and he was killed. And at the end I was VERY disappointed when wahlberg killed damon. I mean wdf? One for bad guys would have been an unexpected denouement
Maybe denouement could've been explored further with its association with the fulfilment (or not) of a character's wants and needs!
Thanks for the suggestion!
I still have no idea what a Denouement is. But I guess I know how to properly pronunciate it now.
I'm so glad, Rick whoorley brought me here!
Sweet!
@@StudioBinder he's someone who'd you like to collaborate with.
I need a more specific name for the intro song! Shazam couldn't help and I don't have access to the websites listed in the description. But it's stuck in my head every time I watch "what is"...
the name is 144, artist is Live Footage
@@StudioBinder Thank you so much!
Pan's Labyrinth has a perfect denouement.
I love you guys
Triple Quadruple love!!!
love our viewers!
Oh my denouement!!!!.... Studio binder replied to my commeeeent!!!!
StudioBinder just Deus Ex Machina-d your comment, bro!
@@kal-elmusic they totally did
The Texas Killing Fields seems like a good example of denouement. It's also one of the most intentionally messy films I've ever seen but in its case it seems to work. Every character is shown to have flaws, particularly the "good guys" yet they keep muddling through life doing the best they can.
The Departed is my favourite movie and i like how Studio binder always takes any scene out of that movie 🎥 to explain different types of filmmaking techniques which makes me love the movie even more and understand it on a deeper level all thanks to Studio Binder.
I was a bit late to find your channel but once i found it I binge watched all your videos.🎥💯❤️
It's a great film to study haha
For the record the way you pronounce "dénouement" sounds like "dénuement" (which means "poverty" in French). The former sounds like a German "u", the latter like a German "ü".
I like the dénouement in "7 samurai": "At the end we (the warriors) always lose".
Can you please enable download for your video?
The chapter for Inside Llewynd Davis says Hell or High Water instead, just a heads up. Great video.
Thanks for the feedback!
Plzz make a video on cinema evaluation
Like : footage , Screens , ratios . fps of Films
Then & Naw & also tell us what is accurate Film
Including those that I've mentioned plzz 🙂
shot list on frame rates th-cam.com/video/7lUFluLOh-s/w-d-xo.html aspect ratios th-cam.com/video/T0YHA2yxCwM/w-d-xo.html
Silent Running 1972, it ends with one dome left intact, the last hope for saving the forests is floating into space, will they be found?
Hi! This vid was great as usual. Can anyone explain the difference between a denouement and an epilogue? If there is one.
To put it this way: denouement is closing a box, epilogue is putting a bow on top. former is essential to completing a story
@@StudioBinder So why don't we just call it "the conclusion" then? Why do we use a French name? Is it because French is considered more classy than English?!
@@djn48 correct
Can someone pleasye explain what „narrative“ means? I googled it but i just don‘t get it :(
I know this may be a reach @Studio Binder but will you look at Lino Brocka's work? He apparently influenced Martin Scorsese's "Taxi Driver" from his "Manila in the Claws of Light". Can you make a content from him or maybe look at his works? Or maybe just review the film "Manila in the Claws of Light"?
We might!
@@StudioBinder thank you 💟
The reason “Citizen Kane” is considered the best film ever made is because it has the best Dénouement, set up at the very beginning with the broken snow globe, and ending with the burning of Rosebud!
One reason amongst many!
Stalker has one of the deepest plots and endings, according to me
😂well said
A Serious Man has an interesting ending, that I think only recalls the theme and nothing else
the Coens like doing that it seems
Good observation!
What's the difference between denouement and epilogue?
Can you Guys make 2 more Videos on Camara Movement and the reason behind such as building a emotional tension, realease tension and Dramatic tension. Also, Motivational and Unmotivated Camara Movement.
We might!
Would the end of Taxi Driver qualify? I honestly can’t tell.
I am about to ask something I did in another video. Same music was used there too. We went back and forth and still I never got to it... The music list does not contain the music playing from :17 to :40 - can you tell me what it is... it is haunting me! I need to know... pleeeeaassee!
144 by Live Footage
@@StudioBinder That's It!!!! Thank you so much. One of those haunting pieces I needed to know! Go listen to Glory by David Crosby and maybe you will NEED to use it too!
I love the ending of Guardians / Galaxy
Actually zodiac has a big resolution.
The film is about the protagonist obsession of knowing the identity of the killer, and at the end he does know in his heart that Allen is the zodiac killer by looking at him.
In my opinion it is safe to say that his obsession stops right there.
Inception didn't have a neat tied up ending for some people because the totem at the end messed with their heads. I choose to believe it fell.
It's up to us
I choose it didn’t.
My favorite denouement is in The Third Man.
👌👌
Fight Club. Resolution, revealing consequences and a big theme resonating on full screen. A big big theme. Veeeery big. A dozen frames long.
😂
what is the final conflict of the shining? anyone?
jack turning murderous towards to his family
@@StudioBinder thanks
Among all great denouements, I must say No Country For Old Men sprung to mind.