suspension of disbelief
Noun
Meaning
suspension of disbelief (usually uncountable, plural suspensions of disbelief)
People's acceptance, for the sake of appreciation of art (including literature and the like), of what they know to be a nonfactual premise of the work of art.
In science fiction films, suspension of disbelief is essential.
Synonyms
Related terms
Examples
That willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, which constitutes poetic faith.
It is now life and not art that requires the willing suspension of disbelief.
Sometimes I read a script and it's obvious from early on that it's one where the suspension of disbelief has to develop strongly from page one. Some are more reality-based.
The stage is suspension of disbelief. Film is a literal medium.
Every little thing that people know about you as a person impedes your ability to achieve that kind of terrific suspension of disbelief that happens when an audience goes with an actor and character he's playing.
For a found-footage-style movie, there's a definite advantage in using unknowns, because it helps sell the illusion that it's real. A known actor would get in the way of the suspension of disbelief.