The term “fourth wall” originated with theatre, with the fourth wall being the side of the stage that the audience is sitting in, which the actors pretend that they can’t see. Subsequently, the term “breaking the fourth wall” refers to when actors look or speak directly to the audience.
The term has since become common in all works of fiction, including films, books, and video games. Fourth wall breaks are always a risk, as they can shatter the audience’s immersion in a way that frustrates them. However, when a…
