Restricted and Unrestricted Narration

Restricted Narration

Restricted narration limits the knowledge of the audience so that we don't know any more information than a character in question. This technique is used so that audiences are encouraged to identify with the perspective of the character, and also acts as an effective way of creating genuine surprise throughout the duration of a film, such as in the film, 'Se7en', in which the identity of John Doe remains a secret, so when he is revealed to be Kevin Spacey, it is a genuine surprise.

Unrestricted Narration

Unrestricted narration has an unlimited degree of access to all aspects of the narrative. It provides the audience with knowledge of the emotions, experiences and perceptions, as well as information that the character is not aware of. The viewer knows more than any of the characters. Unrestricted narration may be presented in a film via the use of a narrator who explains the situation and events of the film to the audience, with simplicity and clarity.