cliffhanger ending
Tantalizingly incomplete conclusion
A cliffhanger ending leaves a story unresolved at a moment of peak suspense or tension, compelling the audience to seek the next installment.
The term comes from serialized adventure stories where protagonists were literally left hanging from cliffs between episodes.
Now it applies to any narrative that cuts off before resolution: The season finale's cliffhanger ending left fans desperate for answers.
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- tensionStretched or strained state
- on the edgeIn precarious position
- plot twistSudden narrative redirection
- twistRotating motion or surprise
finale · season finale · unresolved · dramatic · hook · anticipation · what happens next · sequel · stay tuned · binge · episode · reveal · mystery · shocking · edge · breathless · heart pounding · waiting
- narrative techniquesflashback, nonlinear plot, fragmented narrative, flash-forward, point of view
- Tropeschosen one, hero's journey, red herring, deus ex machina, damsel in distress
- being ignoredghosting, unread messages, no reply, silence, cold shoulder
- TV finalesfinal episode
cliffhanger endingdenouement
Story's final unraveling
epilogue · happy ending · happily ever after · fairy-tale ending · clean break