What is a Macguffin in Film?

Much of a filmmaker’s job is to establish a plot that drives the narrative of a story. In a way that audiences can connect with and enjoy. Every great mystery or suspense thriller is backed by an individual, object, or underlying element that motivates the characters of the story. The motivational plot device is known more acceptably by the term Macguffin. But what is a Macguffin in film? And what does this term even mean?

What is a Macguffin in Film?

Sometimes referred to as the Red Herring. The Macguffin is a screenwriter’s plot device that effectively serves as a catalyst for the action of the story.

It’s the motivation or driving force and it may be a person, an object, a particular goal. Or an idea that a group of characters in the story are gleefully or hopefully in pursuit of.

But that’s not all! The Macguffin is almost always revealed within the first act of the story.

Heralding Detail

The Macguffin is the heralding detail that makes the audience hyper-focused on the story. And it sets the stage for everything to come. It’s a driving force that forms the basis for characters’ actions.

While the Macguffin is a character instigator, sometimes it’s a secret force that the audience doesn’t even necessarily care about. 

Origination of the Macguffin in FIlm

The origin of the term Macguffin as a plot device dates back certainly to the 1930s. Screenwriter Angus MacPhail was the first known individual to reference the term.

But he wasn’t responsible for making it popular. It was Alfred Hitchcock that would popularize the term and master the use of the Macguffin in film.

Hitchcock first introduced the use of a Macguffin in his film The 39 Steps which was released in 1935. Later instances of similar MacGuffins in films by Hitchcock would come up frequently.

Notably in The Lady Vanishes which was produced in 1938 as well as in several other films.

What is the Purpose of the Macguffin in Film?

In answering the question, “What is a Macguffin in film?” It’s also important to explain the uses of the Macguffin as a plot device. The Macguffin has two general uses in film. While it’s usually a physical object but may be invisible or intangible, the audience may or may not care about it.

Regardless, the Macguffin has the following purposes:

• Acts as a catalyst to the action, motivating the characters into action.
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• Revealing underlying character traits by propelling the character into action and later revealing a depth in his or her personality.

In Summation

Remember, the Macguffin is not important in terms of what it actually is. It’s the force behind it and the motivation that makes it important to the plot.

Still unclear on what a Macguffin is in film? The folks over at Today I Found Out made an excellent video with examples to help further explain the concept: