McGuffin
Motivating story object
A McGuffin is a plot device in fiction—an object, goal, or secret that motivates characters and drives the story forward but has little intrinsic importance.
The briefcase everyone chases, the stolen documents, the mysterious formula: what matters is that characters want it, not what it actually is.
The term comes from filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock, who popularized both the technique and the word.
Also spelled MacGuffin.
Human-made historical object
- objectTangible entity or aim
- catalystAgent enabling change
- triggerWhat initiates action
- deviceConstructed tool or machine
prop · item · key · secret · treasure · relic · centerpiece · linchpin
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
- thrillerSuspense-driven narrative genre
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- twistRotating motion or surprise
climax · subplot · foreshadowing · reveal · tension · briefcase · Rosebud · suitcase
Sacred sought-after vessel
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
- artifactHuman-made historical object
- mapSpatial representation of terrain
- chaliceOrnate ritual drinking vessel
relic · briefcase · diamond · formula · codes · documents · prototype · antidote
Something hard to fathom
- secretsConcealed information
- unknownNot yet discovered
- crypticObscure in meaning
- cloak-and-daggerInvolving secret intrigue
espionage · covert · shadowy · intrigue · concealed · hidden · classified · mysterious
artifact
Human-made historical object
device · prop · item · key · secret · treasure · relic · centerpiece · linchpin · hook
Hitchcock
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
- thrillerSuspense-driven narrative genre
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
twist · climax · subplot · foreshadowing · reveal · tension · briefcase · Rosebud · suitcase · microfilm
grail
Sacred sought-after vessel
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
- artifactHuman-made historical object
- mapSpatial representation of terrain
chalice · relic · briefcase · diamond · formula · codes · documents · prototype · antidote · jewel
enigma
Something hard to fathom
cloak-and-dagger · espionage · covert · shadowy · intrigue · concealed · hidden · classified · mysterious · elusive
- mystery fictionwhodunit, whodunnit, sleuth, murder mystery, detective novel
- Storytelling Devicesflashback, foreshadowing, cliffhanger, plot twist, narrator
- narrative techniquesflashback, nonlinear plot, fragmented narrative, flash-forward, point of view
McGuffintheme
Central recurring concept
moral · thesis · protagonist · character arc · climax
McGuffinsubstance
Physical material with mass
essence · crux · heart of the matter · raison d'être · Chekhov's gun
McGuffincentral theme
Primary underlying message
character development · climax · denouement · payload · substance