A film presented from a narrative perspective outside the immediate experiences of the characters constitutes a movie told in the third person. This approach utilizes pronouns like “he,” “she,” “it,” and “they” to describe characters’ actions, thoughts (sometimes via an omniscient narrator), and dialogue. For example, a scene might depict a character walking down the street while the narrative describes their internal monologue about an upcoming meeting, offering insight unavailable to other characters in the scene. This style stands in contrast to first-person perspectives (using “I”) or second-person narratives (using “you”).
This external perspective offers several advantages. It allows for a broader scope, presenting multiple storylines and character arcs within a single narrative. The audience can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the plot, including information hidden from individual characters. Historically, this technique has been prevalent in storytelling, providing a flexible framework for conveying complex narratives and exploring diverse themes. It enables filmmakers to build suspense and dramatic irony by revealing information the characters themselves don’t possess, enriching the viewer’s experience.