What is the Red Herring in Film?

The red herring is a film term that is frequently used to describe a diversion of attention from the truth. Used in common literature. As well as in cinema, the red herring represents a film term. That is sometimes brought up as a distraction to the audience. But what is the red herring in film? And how is it used to distract or mislead audiences?

What is the Red Herring in Film?

The red herring in film represents an underlying element of a story that has no relevance to the actual story itself but is there to make the audience question how it might fit into the plot at some point.

Often included as a diversion, to add suspense, the red herring in film is something that audience members may or may not even recognize or notice as the presence is so minimal. 

For example, a red herring may be an element in the background, or it could be some detail of the back story that is generally predominant enough that the audience questions its presence, and why it would be there, but not so dominant that it plays a direct role in the narrative.

Most of the time, the red herring is something that causes the audience to question whether or not it actually IS in fact a piece of the puzzle for which additional detail might be revealed in the future.

Origination of the Term “Red Herring”

The red herring terminology originates from the actual red herring, a fish, which when smoked is red in color and has a robust, fishy aroma. The scent is so strong that there’s no mistaking it if you’re nearby.

Thus, the red herring in film is sometimes used as a serious plot twist for the story and is predominantly known for being recognized in a film, despite the audience questions as to “why?”

Red Herrings in Past Films

The red herring has been used in a variety of ways throughout films from the past several decades. Early filmmakers, including Alfred Hitchcock.

As well as literary fictionists such as Agatha Christie. They’re widely known to have included red herring techniques in their storytelling.

All this in order keep the audience engaged. And keep them questioning who the true culprit of the story is in crime dramas and similar detective works.

Common uses of the red herring in film include:

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – the audience believes Sirius is the one behind the murders when in reality Sirius is the ally who has been framed. 

• The Sixth Sense – the audience is led to believe that Cole is the one with conflict to resolve when really it’s Malcolm.

• Saw – the audience believes that the Jigsaw was Adam when in reality the actual Jigsaw was a corpse that was in the middle of the room and the antagonist was there the whole time.
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• Buffy the Vampire Slayer – specifically from the episode “Earshot”. Where the audience wonders if a staff member from the school paper is responsible for plotting a mass murder.

Overall

Exactly what is the red herring in film? As you can see, the red herring can be just about anything in film.

But generally is represented by a role or element. In which the audience is led to believe one thing. And later finds out that they were wrong. Their focus was deceived, and they should have focused elsewhere.