Deus ex machina

While there are an infinite number of ways for a movie to fall short, a common complaint is if the inciting incident of the drama is solved in a way that comes out of nowhere, even breaking the logic of the story. It seems the conclusion is unearned. This is called a deus ex machina, from the Latin for “god from the machine.” The phrase has its origin in greek theatre, where in some plays, actors would be lowered on cranes so that "the gods themselves" could swoop in to save the day.

Critics often groan at the use of a deus ex machina in writing. Maybe it feels…