Aspects of the Thriller: Hitchcock

A Maguffin is a plot device that motivates the characters and advances the story,
but has little other relevance to the story.

A MacGuffin (sometimes McGuffin or maguffin)

catches the viewers' attention or drives the plot of a work of fiction. 

The MacGuffin is common in films, especially thrillers.

Commonly, though not always, the MacGuffin is the central focus of the film in

the first act, and then declines in importance as the struggles and motivations of characters play out. 

It may come back into play at the climax of the story, but sometimes the

MacGuffin is actually forgotten by the end of the film.

Hitchcock was also fund of an



'ENIGMAS'

An Engima refers to a puzzle, something mysterious or inexplicable.

Or a riddle or a difficult problem.

In thrillers, this is commonly something which the protagonist has to try and find out or solve before the narrative is resolved and the film finishes. 

Red Herrings

A Red Herring is the name given to a device which intends to divert the audience from the truth or an

item of significance.

 

This can also with other devices such as (engimas) to create suspense.