Mystery Box Mountains
Mystery Box storytelling is a term coined by JJ Abrams, the creator of hit TV shows like Lost and Alias. The technique is all about keeping the audience guessing and engaged by holding back information about the story's central mystery. This is often achieved by using flashbacks, dream sequences, or unreliable narrators to obscure the truth, creating a sense of intrigue and uncertainty that draws the audience in.
Lost kept viewers hooked for six seasons with its central mystery of the island and its inhabitants. The writers used flashbacks and alternate timelines to reveal information about the characters and their pasts while keeping the mystery of the island and its purpose firmly hidden until the final season.
Alias also used the Mystery Box technique to great effect by weaving a complex web of espionage, double-crosses, and hidden agendas that kept viewers guessing until the very end. The central mystery of the show was the identity and motivations of the main villain, Sloane, who remained an enigma for much of the series.
Westworld uses the Mystery Box technique to great effect by creating a complex narrative that blurs the lines between reality and fiction. The show keeps viewers guessing with its central mystery of the maze, a hidden puzzle that must be solved to unlock the true nature of the park.
Stranger Things withholds information about the Upside Down, a parallel universe that is home to terrifying creatures. Drawing viewers in with its central mystery and the promise of answers.
The Walking Dead keeps viewers engaged and invested in the survival of the characters. Each season introduces new mysteries and obstacles to overcome, such as the origins of the virus that caused the outbreak, the motives of various factions, and the possibility of a cure.
The "Distant Mountains" concept is a similar storytelling technique used by JRR Tolkien in his epic fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings. The idea is that by showing the audience a distant mountain range or other unreachable destination, the story creates a sense of mystery and wonder that draws the audience in. The Misty Mountains represent an unreachable goal. They create a sense of anticipation and wonder as the characters journey toward them, not knowing what they will find when they arrive.
For many current creators, 1977’s Star Wars flick was their first exposure to this type of storytelling. The Clone Wars was a major event in the film's mythology and ongoing story universe, but the details were only hinted at in the first film.
By presenting intriguing and complex mysteries, creators can keep audiences engaged and invested in the story while carving out space for a deeper exploration of characters and themes.
