It is commonly accepted that spoilers are detrimental to one’s enjoyment of a tale. Viewers often wish to preserve the element of surprise for themselves, particularly if they have endured months or even years of anticipation for the release. However, the immense anxiety and frenzy surrounding spoilers in recent times suggest that there is a culture of spoiler aversion where dedicated fans of certain franchises will go to absurd lengths to avoid any spoilers. A closer look into this spoiler phenomenon reveals that science has a different perspective on the issue. It may be surprising, but spoilers can actually enhance one’s enjoyment of the story, rather than destroy it.
Throughout the ages, humankind has been captivated by compelling tales. In most of our storytelling history, spoilers were not of great concern. Ancient Greek Tragedies often revealed much of the story, including the ending, in their opening prologue. Many historical novels and plays were based on stories most people already knew, yet there were no complaints about spoilers. Even in the 70s, spoilers were not viewed as a major issue. George Lucas spoiled the entire Star Wars series in 1976, revealing all the characters, plot elements, and even the ending in astonishing detail. One of the first uses of the word “spoiler” was in 1971 in an article titled “Spoilers” in National Lampoon Magazine, which exposed the conclusion of popular mystery movies and novels. However, the word “spoiler” peaked in popularity with the rise of the internet, where it gained its cautionary concomitant “alert.”
Scientific evidence shows that spoilers don’t actually detract from one’s experience of the story. An experiment carried out in 2011 had two groups of subjects who read the same story, but one group knew the ending while the other savored the element of surprise. At the close of the session, each group rated their enjoyment of the story, and the group that knew the ending enjoyed it more than the group that did not. The same experiment was conducted in three genres, including whodunit mysteries, tales with ironic twists, and literary fiction with an uncomplicated resolution. In all instances, spoilers tended to enhance the reader’s experience of the story. This does not mean everyone should actively search for spoilers or that spoilers are always good, but it does suggest that the fear of spoilers is often exaggerated. The notion that a single plot development can “ruin” an entire story is unproven. Anyone even remotely familiar with pop culture knows that Darth Vader is Luke’s father, even without watching the movie. However, this does not imply that they will not enjoy watching Episode IV.
Knowing the ending allows one to concentrate on the story’s execution, enabling viewers to appreciate the subtle details that the creator has included for their enjoyment. While it is true that some plots rely heavily on surprise endings or unexpected twists, most narratives are much more intricate and multifaceted than that. A good story encompasses more than just the destination; it includes the journey, the characters, the themes, and the emotions it evokes. Spoilers may reveal some aspects of the story, but they can never capture the full scope of what makes it great.
Obsessing over spoilers is negatively impacting the appreciation and enjoyment of pop-cultural products. Spoiler culture exaggerates the importance of the shock factor, reducing the complexities of any art form to mere raw information. Needless to say, that’s not how to enjoy a story. The overemphasis on spoiler culture provides an incorrect incentive for writers to add unnecessary plot twists. This overemphasis on shock value caused the final season of Game of Thrones to gain its notoriety. The writers undid all the character development and foundational rules of the show to achieve shock value. The best stories are the ones that cannot be spoiled, even by revealing raw information. It’s not to say that plot twists are cheap or useless, but a good plot twist has a strong foundation and provides the viewer with sufficient clues to hint at the revelation, making the story even better when reflected upon. Movies with grand reveals, such as Sixth Sense and Fight Club, evoke a separate kind of enjoyment upon a rewatch. Since the viewers already know the surprise, they can pick up on the obvious clues left behind by the story and smile in delight.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
