The term “fourth wall” came from theater. The theater stage is limited on three sides, and the fourth is facing the hall. So the fourth wall is an invisible line between actors and spectators, fiction and reality, the world of art and everyday life. It’s an imaginary barrier between a movie/TV show and its viewers.
Now, it has become one of the most favorite trends in movies because many people like those moments when the characters speak directly to the viewers. In such movies, the characters usually know that they are fictional. Most frequently, this technique is used in comic or dramatic moments. Here are some of our favorite fourth-wall-breaking moments from different movies.
1. The Wolf Of Wall Street
In Scorsese’s movie, Leonardo DiCaprio’s character Jordan Belfort acts as a narrator and leads his monolog, looking directly into the lens of a camera in the background of a chaotic office. He tells his story and explains the motivations behind his acts, which might not have been clear to the viewers without this monolog. He amazes the viewer with the honesty of his confession. Jordan Belfort is a real person, and the film is based on his memoir, which justifies the use of the famous wall break tactic.
2. Deadpool
Nowadays, Deadpool is undoubtedly the most well-known character for his direct engagement with the viewers. Wade Wilson (the character’s real name) has been breaking the fourth wall in the comics and does it on a big screen. The character, portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, looks into the camera and talks to the viewers right from the first scene in the movie. He explains why he’s wearing a red suit, letting the viewers know that he realizes that he is a fictional character from the very beginning. Deadpool does this multiple times throughout the movie, although there is no apparent reason for it; in this way, the character just creates comic moments.
3. Kick-Ass
Kick-Ass is a movie that is made as a parody of the superhero genre. The main character, Dave Lizewski (portrayed by Aaron Taylor-Johnson), acts as a narrator that tells the story and appeals to viewers, repeatedly breaking the fourth wall. In one of such moments, he addresses the viewers, expressing his dissatisfaction with the fact that they think that he cannot die because he is a storyteller who narrates the story post factum. Then, Dave lists movies in which the narrator dies. The fourth wall break is an element of the comedy in this film.
4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
There are numerous funny moments in this movie as a result of the wall break. For instance, when an animated monster disappears because the animator died of a heart attack. However, the funniest moment in the movie comes in the scene when Dingo is talking to Sir Galahad and then suddenly turns to the camera and asks, “Do you think this section should have been cut?”
5. Spaceballs
It is mostly a parody of the original Star Wars trilogy, although it also includes references to other sci-fi films. In one scene, the characters watch their own movie, which appears to be a very funny and unexpected scene. When the colonel orders the corporal to bring him the videocassette of Spaceballs the Movie, Dark Helmet doubts the existence of such a videocassette, saying that they are in the process of making it. The colonel tells him that it’s an instant videocassette that is sold in stores even before the film is finished. When they watch this cassette, they quickly rewind the previous events of the movie until they get to the present, which is essentially a live recording of themselves in real-time.
6. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
The movie breaks the fourth wall several times, but the most memorable moment is when Austin plans to follow Dr. Evil back in time to get back his stolen mojo. He asks Basil whether he should pay a visit to his frozen self in 1967. Basil replies that he shouldn’t bother about such things and just have fun. Then, looking at the camera, he says, “That goes for you all, too.”
7. Fight Club
Throughout the film, both the narrator, portrayed by Edward Norton, and Brad Pitt’s Tyler Durden repeatedly break the fourth wall. For instance, near the end of Tyler’s monologue intended for the audience, he turns to the camera and says, “You are not your job.” The narrator also addresses the viewers personally. He does this to describe Tyler Durden.
8. The Big Short
The Big Short is a movie dedicated to the 2007–2008 financial crisis events. It’s filled with economic terminology that the great majority of viewers will clearly not comprehend. Breaking the fourth wall, Margot Robbie relaxes in a bubble bath and explains these complex phrases to the viewers.
9. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
In this comedy movie, the main characters, Jay and Silent Bob, portrayed by Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes, discuss who would want to see a movie based on their lives. Then they turn to face the camera and give a meaningful glance to the audience. This is a fantastic moment that makes you laugh.
10. American Psycho
In this movie, the fourth wall is broken to provide us with insight into Patrick Bateman’s psychotic mind (the protagonist, portrayed by Christian Bale). As the voice over, he expresses his thoughts on what is happening in the film, addressing the viewer directly.