deux ex machina
Implausible plot rescue
Deus ex machina—Latin for "god from the machine"—is a plot device where an impossible situation is suddenly resolved by an unexpected intervention.
The term comes from ancient Greek theater, where gods were lowered onto stage by crane to resolve tangled plots.
Now it describes any contrived solution that feels unearned: The story was gripping until a deus ex machina ending ruined it.
The phrase is almost always pejorative, suggesting lazy storytelling.
- plot deviceStorytelling element advancing action
- contrivanceClever invention or scheme
- cheap trickUnearned manipulative shortcut
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- last minute saveRescue just before failure
nick of time · improbable · convenient · Greek tragedy · crane · playwright · climax · salvation · out of nowhere · theatrical · coincidence · rescue · miraculous · dramatic irony · Euripides · ancient theater · eleventh hour · plot hole
- writing flawstypos, spelling errors, plot hole, plot holes, cliche
machine, machinery, machinist, machination, machinate, mechanical, mechanic, mechanism, mechanize