From William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” to Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” to Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s “The Book of Mormon,” the power of irony transcends genres and styles of storytelling. Let’s explore the three main types of irony, the ways they differ, and how they’re used to tell great stories.
Irony occurs when there’s a contrast between appearance and reality, between what we expect and what actually happens. This disconnect creates surprise, tension, or humor, depending on how it’s used or presented. Irony works because of its oppositional nature; it’s not only about the unexpected but about the deliberate mismatch and juxtaposition that makes it pack such a punch across storytelling genres.
Many elements of a great story rely on irony to challenge assumptions, subvert expectations, build suspense, and make profound political or moral statements. There are three main types of irony, and each serves a unique function in storytelling.
Irony comes in three main types: dramatic, situational, and verbal.
Dramatic irony
Dramatic irony happens when the audience knows something that the characters in the story do not. This discrepancy between a character’s understanding and the audience’s awareness creates tension or heightens emotional impact. By knowing more than the characters, the audience feels suspense, anxiety, and empathy more directly.
Dramatic Irony: What It Is and How to Use It-
Example: “A Different Man” (2024, dir. Aaron Schimberg) tells the story of Edward, a man with a facial disfigurement who undergoes a procedure to alter his appearance. However, his new life doesn’t turn out quite as expected. After the procedure, Edward claims that “Edward” has killed himself and that he is Guy, a different man. The remainder of the film relies heavily on dramatic irony—the fact that only the audience and Edward are aware of his true identity as he interacts with other characters and pursues his dream (of acting, natch) with a new face and name.
Situational irony
Situational irony arises when there’s a contradiction between what is expected to happen and what actually occurs in the narrative. This twist can be amusing, heartbreaking, or thought-provoking, depending on the situation—it relies on outcomes and events. Unlike dramatic irony, where the audience holds more knowledge, situational irony leaves them just as surprised as the characters, subverting their expectations.
What is Situational Irony? How to Use It Effectively-
Example: “The Big Lebowski” (1998, dirs. Joel and Ethan Coen) follows the Dude as he navigates a kidnapping that turns out to be a case of mistaken identity. The stoner and avid bowler falls into some serious stakes and criminality in a case of hilarious situational irony. This type of irony is used throughout the Coen brothers’ canon. Their films often center on interesting (if selfish) characters who are given an opportunity to change their life—only to find that doing so leads to an incredibly unexpected journey.
Verbal irony
Verbal irony occurs when someone says one thing but means the opposite. It’s rooted in language and tone, often involving sarcasm, understatement, or overstatement to emphasize a deeper meaning or land a joke. Unlike situational and dramatic irony, verbal irony is delivered through dialogue, requiring the audience to discern the speaker’s true intentions.
Verbal Irony: the Art of Saying One Thing and Meaning AnotherExample: “Succession” (2018–2023) uses verbal irony to underscore the high stakes at hand, while also providing humor. The show tells the story of a powerful family dynasty, the Roys, as they vie for control of the media and entertainment company led by their patriarch, Logan. When Logan’s brother, Ewan, comes to the city, his disdain for Logan and his unethical impact on the world through his media companies is summarized in a single snippet of verbal irony: “The Logan Roy School of Journalism? What’s next, the Jack the Ripper Women’s Health Clinic?”