Dates from ancient Greek times, where "deus ex machina" ("god from the machine") in a play referred to the act of lowering a god on stage using a cable device (therefore, a god from a machine) to decide in a dilemma and give fate a nudge, so to say.
These days, deus ex machina has the negative connotation of an utterly improbable, illogical or baseless plot twist that drastically alters the situation, as if the "deus ex machina" came down to give fate that little push.
These days, deus ex machina has the negative connotation of an utterly improbable, illogical or baseless plot twist that drastically alters the situation, as if the "deus ex machina" came down to give fate that little push.
I liked the movie, but the ending was total crap...they could've come up with a better way to beat the villain than the deus ex machina ending of that guy miraculously coming back to life.
by Fluid October 10, 2003
1. An unexpected power or event saving a seemingly hopeless situation, especially as a contrived plot device in a play or novel.
2. A bullshit way of saving a character in a movie, novel, or play.
2. A bullshit way of saving a character in a movie, novel, or play.
1. Man- The bet Peter made in the end of Dodgeball: An Underdog Story is such bullshit Deus Ex Machina!
2. The whole "love" thing from Harry Potter.
2. The whole "love" thing from Harry Potter.
by I Like Llamas August 18, 2015
Literally "God from the machine", Deus Ex Machina originally referred to Greek plays, where the "gods" would be lowered onto the stage in order to provide a quick resolution to the story. Today, Deus Ex Machina refers to any improbably and/or overly convenient character or mechanism that comes out of nowhere saves the character(s) from their doom.
For a hilarious send-up of Deus Ex Machina, check out the spaceship scene in Monty Python's Life of Brian.
by Gazuga April 26, 2004
Situation in which one escapes by means noone could distinctly or indirectly predict.
Plot device in which the author makes up stupid shit to save his character.
Plot device in which the author makes up stupid shit to save his character.
None needed.
by larstait October 8, 2003
is without a doubt an archetype considered as a quasi-impetus of a prevalent trope that strides to an extensively particular culmination which opts to incorporate an unorthodox and haphazard prospect which is scrupulously and circuitously contrived to presumably rectify borderline incorrigible conundrums or circumstances in order to deliberately expedite an ideal and feasible impending crux that would transpire in a plausible but inexplicable manner which usually aggregates a plethora of complex multifaceted serendipitous outcomes; On the contrary however, it absolutely entails the omission of the obligatory, arbitrary and elusive logic inclined to expedite an ideal and immutable apotheosis but only on the off chance if certain intrinsic characters would go out on a limb hence, leaving them apparently in the midst of a vastly dire escapade and are currently inevitably beleaguered; nonetheless, if delved on furthermore through meticulously scrutinizing the intricate logic; this on the other hand would somehow instigate elicit recurring aberration instilled in the underlying recesses of our objective, biased and condescending judgement thus when overtly eluded under the influence of its predicament, it could cause certain implications such as aspects of double standard; unless marred by its beguiling provocative matter, hence relinquish its purpose and haplessly render it negligible and incomprehensibly desultory.
"That scene where the animated Cat Agent's debut in the "Last Action Hero" movie when he saved Jack Slater was apparently a Deus Ex Machina at this point since there was no indication and clue whatsoever of his sudden inclination of saving Jack Slater at the last minute."
by TrickyJebus April 9, 2016
A story ending that involves something inexplicable and unexpected, which usually requires a suspension of logic from the audience. Latin for "god from the machine", it originally referred to God showing up at the end of a play and simply resolving all the character's problems.
by Bean64 October 19, 2009
A deus ex machina servabar.
by britishguy April 18, 2004