What does "diegesis" refer to in the context of film?

In the context of film, "diegesis" refers specifically to the narrative or story world of the film. This concept encompasses everything that is part of the film’s universe, including the characters, events, sounds, and locations that exist within that world. It is the realm of "what is real" in the context of the story being told, meaning all the elements that characters in the film can hear, see, or interact with.

Understanding diegesis is crucial in film analysis because it helps viewers differentiate between what is happening within the filmic world and what exists outside of it. For instance, diegetic sound (like characters talking or music playing from a radio within the scene) is considered part of this narrative world, while non-diegetic sound (like the film's score that the characters cannot hear) does not belong to the story world itself.

This distinction aids in interpreting how elements of storytelling, sound, and visuals serve the narrative and contribute to audience engagement with the film's world. Therefore, recognizing diegesis deepens one's comprehension of the film's structure and the way it communicates its themes and emotions to the audience.