Todorov's narrative structure

 Todorov attempted to create narative structure that could be applied to any film

1. The film will begin with a state of equilibrium where everything is normal
2. There is then disruption of the equilibrium 
3. After this change the disruption is recognised
4. attempts to repair disruption are made 
5. finally at the end of the film we see a return or restoration of a new equilibrium

Todorov's extended narrative theory

• Exposition
• Development
• Complication
• Climax
• Resolution

Example; This narrative structure can be seen in horror film; The Facualty (1998)

1. The film opens with a normal everyday example of an American high school and typical students and teachers; this is the state of equilibrium (Exposition)
2. This equilibrium is then disrupted by a couple of teachers becoming murderous and appearing out of character (Development)
3. later the disruption is recognised by a group of students noticing an assault on another faculty member (Complication)
4. The group then attempt to repair the disruption by killing the infected and finally the cause of the disruption (Climax)
5. The state of equilibrium is then returned to everyday life but relationships have shifted and the characters view each other differently  (Resolution)

A criticism of this structure would be aside from The Faculty horror films do not usually resolve themselves, leaving the film open ended and the threat still at large. This is more appropriate for a horror film as it scares the viewer more leaving them paranoid.