The Egregious Epilogue Edict

The Film Yap Lexicon is comprised of terminology for certain cinematic phenomena that occur often enough to form discernible patterns — typically events or circumstances that are patently ludicrous to customs of narrative or known science and, on occasion, the result of misguided choices by filmmakers. Although these terms could take their name from numerous films, they are principally derived from the prime examples of this phenomena.

The Egregious Epilogue Edict

The Egregious Epilogue Edict states, "do not use a subtitled epilogue to complete a story in a fictional dramatic film." The "Egregious Epilogue" is a lazy plot device undertaken by filmmakers where a subtitled epilogue is used as an expository device in fictional dramatic films to update the viewer on a character's arc. This breaks storytelling's central tenet of "show, don't tell." If an Egregious Epilogue is being considered, instead film an extra scene or two showing what happened. See "Unbreakable," "Paranormal Activity," "Paranormal Activity 2," "Unstoppable."

Comedy is the only genre that can get away with using a subtitled epilogue, and then only in rare instances. (See "National Lampoon's Animal House.")