cliffhanger

A cliffhanger is a narrative device in which a story ends a segment at a moment of heightened tension, leaving the outcome unresolved and prompting the audience to continue with the next installment. The term traces to serialized storytelling in the early 20th century, particularly silent film serials, where episodes would conclude with a perilous moment on a cliff or other danger, forcing spectators to return for the next chapter. The practice later spread to novels, radio, television, and online series.

Cliffhangers work by posing a compelling question or placing a character in jeopardy at a crucial moment. They are most common at the end of chapters, episodes, or season finales, and can advance a broader story arc, develop character motivations, or simply heighten suspense for ongoing engagement.

Examples cited include The Perils of Pauline (1914), an influential early film serial, and the ongoing use of cliffhangers in serialized television and web fiction. Variations include genuine suspense with unresolved outcomes, ambiguous endings, or, less favorably, false cliffhangers that rely on predictable threats or delayed resolutions. Critics sometimes view excessive use as manipulative or unsatisfying if resolutions are repeatedly deferred or unearned, while supporters argue that well-crafted cliffhangers strengthen narrative momentum and audience investment.