Macguffin

"We call it the 'MacGuffin.' It is the mechanical element that usually crops up in any story. In crook stories it is almost always the necklace and in spy stories it is most always the papers."   -  Alfred Hitchcock




A macguffin is an object of interest that the plot revolves around. It is usually a valuable object for example a rare diamond. Or it could be an interesting object that both the hero and the villain want to get their hands on. Usually the audience do not have an interests in the object.

An example of this is the microfilm in north by north west. The villains are trying to smuggle it out of America. The secret in the microfilm is not important. We have no knowledge about what it contains or what it is useful for. All that is relevant is that it exists and it is clearly valuable.



Macguffins are not always objects sometimes they are characters for example in Good Will Hunting the macguffin is Matt Damon a young man. He is a genius but also a bully. He lacks self control , and he could be a millionaire if he wanted to yet he works as a janitor.

The other characters revolve around him. A professor tries to become his mentor. Will's friends enjoy his company , and his best friends desires him to do something with his gift.