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 Offscreen Savior
A well-worn trope in action and horror films where the hero or another sympathetic character is in a compromising position, on the verge of being killed by a villain. The bad guy raises his or her weapon and prepares to strike...when another offscreen character saves the hero. The Offscreen Savior is often someone thought to be dead or otherwise incapacitated or is someone who made a mistake or developed a reputation for being a screw-up during the course of the film, allowing that character to be redeemed.
Examples of the Offscreen Savior include the following (note: some of these references contain SPOILERS):
Han Solo in the Millenium Falcon saving Luke Skywalker from Darth Vader and his TIE Fighter in "Star Wars"
Officer Al Powell in "Die Hard" saving a vulnerable John and Holly McClane from the gun of Karl in "Die Hard"
Lt. Commander Worf saving Captain Picard from a Borgified Lt. Hawk in "Star Trek: First Contact."
Catwoman saving Batman from Bane in "The Dark Knight Rises"
Comment below to add your own instances of "The Offscreen Savior," or offer new Film Yap Lexicon entries at lexicon@thefilmyap.com!