WHAT’S A MACGUFFIN?

What is a MacGuffin?

A MacGuffin is a plot device commonly used in films, TV shows, and other works of fiction to motivate the characters and propel the plot forward.  It is an object, person, event, or goal that the characters pursue, often relentlessly, throughout the story. The MacGuffin itself may be undefined or not have any inherent value or importance, but its pursuit drives the action and drama of the story. 

Merriam Webster recounts: “The first person to use MacGuffin as a word for a plot device was Alfred Hitchcock. He borrowed it from an old shaggy-dog story in which some passengers on a train interrogate a fellow passenger carrying a large, strange-looking package. The fellow says the package contains a “MacGuffin,” which, he explains, is used to catch tigers in the Scottish Highlands. When the group protests that there are no tigers in the Highlands, the passenger replies, “Well, then, this must not be a MacGuffin.” Hitchcock apparently appreciated the way the mysterious package holds the audience’s attention and builds suspense. He recognized that an audience anticipating a solution to a mystery will continue to follow the story even if the initial interest-grabber turns out to be irrelevant.”

Hitchcock was successful in popularizing the term and he deployed the device in many of his films, such as the microfilm in North by Northwest and the uranium in Notorious. Here are some other examples of MacGuffins in films:

1. The Ark of the Covenant in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) – The quest to find the Ark and its supernatural powers drives the story.
2. The One Ring in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy (2001-2003) – The ring’s power and the need to destroy it propel the characters’ journeys.
3. The Death Star plans in “Star Wars: A New Hope” (1977) – Obtaining the plans becomes a central mission for the Rebel Alliance.
4. The Maltese Falcon in “The Maltese Falcon” (1941) – Various characters pursue the valuable falcon statuette, which leads to intrigue and deception.
5. The briefcase in “Pulp Fiction” (1994) – The contents of the briefcase are never revealed, but they serve as a significant motivator for the characters.
6. The Infinity Stones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – Throughout multiple films, the characters seek or protect these powerful gems.
7. The suitcase in “Ronin” (1998) – The contents of the suitcase are unknown but coveted by various groups involved in a high-stakes espionage plot.
8. The letters of transit in “Casablanca” (1942) – The letters become a sought-after item that can grant safe passage during World War II.
9. The pink diamond in “Uncut Gems” (2019) – The protagonist’s obsession with the diamond sets off a series of chaotic events.
10. Rosebud in “Citizen Kane” (1941)

These are just a few examples of how MacGuffins are used in films to provide a central focus for the story and drive the characters’ actions.