Tropes: Cliches or Storytelling Magic?
Why do tropes resonate with us so deeply?
Tropes have become one of the biggest tools I use in my writing and storytelling. Because of this, I wanted to do a series where I dive into specific films and books and uncover some of the tropes stories use in order to create something:
Irresistible, by tapping into our most primal psychology and emotions
Unique and fresh, by twisting the tropes in a way that makes the story feel both comforting and unexpected
I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t it counterintuitive to use tropes in order to make your story unique? I mean, aren’t tropes essentially cliches? Aren’t they elements we see in stories over and over again?
Yes.
And they’re still the key to a story that taps into your unique voice and spins stale ideas into something fresh and fun.
So, with that said, the first story I’ll be diving into is Mission: Impossible—Fallout.
In this story, we’ll look at some classic Action tropes, and see why utilizing these tropes taps into our deep, evolutionary cravings for story.
Trope 1: The Highly Trained Government Spy
Let's kick off with one of the core tropes in action films—a highly trained government spy. This trope instantly sets the tone and atmosphere of the story, which is the first trope I like to look for. This fundamental trope provides a base understanding of the type of story being told. In this case, it provides an immediate idea of what to expect: thrills, excitement, and a sense of mystery.
It also leans into the concept of Escapism, which is a core desire we have as humans.
Trope 2: The Seemingly Impossible Mission to Save the World
This trope plays into our fundamental instincts of Desire and Danger, which happen to be the second and third thing I look for. A story will never pull us in if there isn’t a compelling desire/goal/objective, and it will never keep us hooked if there aren’t obvious stakes.
We love to experience danger in a contained environment. It’s one of the reasons stories are so central to our cultures. We can potentially learn something useful about danger and desire without putting ourselves in actual physical or emotional harm’s way.
In this case, Ethan Hunt doesn’t have much stakes to contend with. Just an impossible mission to save the entire world.
Trope 3: Working Outside the Law and Secret Identities
Here again, the story dabbles in danger and raises stakes, echoing the elements of an action-packed, adrenaline-pumping narrative.
Trope 4: Double Agents, Murky Loyalty, and Betrayals
This adds a layer of Surprise and, therefore, instinctual intrigue. It keeps us on the edge of our seats as we navigate the complicated web of loyalty and betrayal.
Trope 5: Gadgets and Technology
This one touches on what I like to call our instinctual urge for Spectacle. The gadgets and technology are actually a form of magic—not available to us in our real-life, but pretty darn fun to watch.
Trope 6: Heists
These set pieces tap into our primal need to experience (even in the safety of our homes) Desire and Power, making us root for the team as they undertake high-stakes operations.
Trope 7: A Ticking Clock
The element of time adds a layer of urgency, tapping back into the primal aspect of Danger.
Trope 8: A Close-knit Team
Our yearning for Connection is satisfied by seeing a team that functions like a well-oiled machine, forming bonds that make them more than the sum of their parts. And if we happen to laugh a bit along the way? We can deal with that, too. In fact, that taps into our yearning for Joy.
Trope 9: Easter Eggs
These not-so-hidden treasures add another layer of Connection, making fans of the franchise feel like insiders. We’re rewarded for watching the previous 5 films with easter eggs that others, who don’t feel quite so connected might miss. It’s a fun reward, and an easy way to pull your reader further in. You don’t need a 7 film franchise in order to sprinkle easter eggs throughout your story. Just drop a little something at the beginning and give your reader a juicy payoff later.
Trope 10: Ethical Dilemmas and Redemption
Honor. It’s a big word, and one I like to use to encapsulate the feelings we get from reading stories of truth, justice, redemption, growth, patriotism, and more. It’s one of the more evolved feelings that make us love storytelling, and provides a moral compass that evolves throughout the narrative.
Trope 11: A Deal with the Devil
This specific trope adds a sprinkle of dangerous alliances, making us question the ethical boundaries of the characters involved. Ethan, despite his driving need to do what’s right, wants something so badly he’s willing to partner with the man he hates the most in order to get it. Now that’s a story we all like to experience.
How These Tropes Are Twisted To Feel Fresh
But, like I said, tropes aren’t just cliches. They can actually be twisted, layered, and manipulated in order to create something completely unique unto itself. Here are three ways this film twists the tropes mentioned above.
Added Humor and Hijinks: Unlike early Mission Impossible films, this one embraces humor to set itself apart. By mashing this humor with the more dangerous aspects of a highly-trained government spy film, we get something new.
A Disavowed Spy: Ethan Hunt’s disavowed status adds an extra layer of tension and unpredictability. He’s not just working for the government, he’s doing it while staying invisible. We’re constantly reminded if he or a member of his team is caught, the government will bear no responsibility and deny and knowledge.
Real-Life Stunts: Okay, I get that it might be hard to do this in your book, but I had to include it here, because it is one of the most obvious ways Mission Impossible films set themselves apart: Tom Cruise is doing his own real-life stunts. If that’s not playing into the idea of Spectacle, I don’t know what is.
Final Thoughts
Tropes can bring a narrative to life when used thoughtfully. They can be one of the biggest ways you create magic in your story.
In the case of Mission: Impossible—Fallout, the film employs a variety of tropes that not only satisfy our primal psychological needs, but also bring a fresh spin to a well-trodden genre. So the next time you dismiss a trope as a mere cliché, remember that it could be the key to making a story irresistible!
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