Todorov’s Theory

Tzvetan Todorov simplified the idea of narrative theory while also allowing a more complex interpretation of film texts with his theory of Equilibrium and Disequilibrium.

His theory is simply this:

1.      Equilibrium – Normality

2.      Dis-equilibrium

3.      Realisation

4.      Attempt to resolve

5.      Resolution

6.      Re-equilibrium – the new normality

In these stages, narrative is not seen as a linear structure but a circular one. The narrative is driven by attempts to restore the equilibrium. However, the equilibrium attained at the end of the story is not identical to the initial equilibrium.


Todorov argues that narrative involves a transformation. The characters or the situations are transformed through the progress of the disruption. The disruption itself usually takes place outside the normal social framework, outside the 'normal' social events. For example a murder happens and people are terrified or someone vanishes and the characters have to solve the mystery. 


During our thriller we will not complete the full circle of the Todorov theory due to the plot of our film being backwards, think of it as the beginning of the film at the end and visa versa. 


Jae