: Using flashbacks or non-linear structures to create curiosity or suspense.

: Narratives control the audience's experience by manipulating: Quantity : Withholding or overloading information.

: Modern theory, particularly that of David Bordwell, argues that spectators are not passive "victims" of a story but active participants who use "schemata" (mental frameworks) to test hypotheses and draw inferences about the plot.

: Associated with early Soviet cinema, focusing on collective action and ideological messaging rather than individual psychology.

: Characterized by clear cause-and-effect logic, a goal-oriented protagonist, and "invisible" editing that prioritizes narrative clarity.

: Where style becomes the dominant factor, often repeating stylistic patterns for their own sake rather than to advance the story (e.g., the works of Jean-Luc Godard). Functions of Explicit Narrators

: Often prioritizes character interiority and ambiguity over a clear plot, using fragmented structures to reflect complex psychological states.

Filmic narration varies historically and stylistically, categorized into distinct "modes" that set audience expectations: