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🎥Film Aesthetics

8.2 Diegetic vs. Non-Diegetic Sound

3 min readLast Updated on July 18, 2024

Sound in film is more than just background noise. It's a powerful storytelling tool that shapes our experience. Diegetic sound comes from within the movie's world, while non-diegetic sound is added for effect.

These two types of sound work together to create a rich auditory landscape. Diegetic sound grounds us in the story, while non-diegetic sound guides our emotions and interpretations. Understanding this interplay helps us appreciate film's complexity.

Understanding Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound

Diegetic vs non-diegetic sound

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  • Diegetic sound emanates from within the film's narrative world and can be heard by the characters on-screen (dialogue, sound effects from objects in the scene, music from sources visible on-screen)
  • Non-diegetic sound originates from outside the film's narrative world and cannot be heard by the characters on-screen (musical score, voiceover narration, sound effects added for dramatic effect)

Examples of sound types

  • Diegetic sound examples:
    • A character strumming a guitar on-screen produces music that exists within the film's world
    • Ambient noise from a bustling city street immerses the audience in the setting
    • Dialogue between characters advances the plot and reveals their thoughts and emotions
  • Non-diegetic sound examples:
    • An orchestral score swells to underscore a dramatic scene, heightening the emotional impact
    • Voiceover narration provides insight into a character's inner thoughts and motivations
    • Sound effects like a heartbeat or ticking clock are added to enhance the tension of an action sequence

Functions of film sound

  • Diegetic sound functions:
    • Establishes a sense of realism and authenticity by grounding the audience in the film's world
    • Provides information about the setting and environment, such as the sounds of nature or a busy workplace
    • Reveals character traits and emotions through the tone and content of their dialogue and the sounds they make
  • Non-diegetic sound functions:
    • Sets the emotional tone and atmosphere of a scene, such as using ominous music to create a sense of dread
    • Foreshadows events or reveals subtext, like a melancholy score hinting at a character's hidden sadness
    • Connects scenes and creates continuity, bridging gaps in time or location with consistent musical themes
    • Manipulates the audience's emotional response, such as using uplifting music to evoke feelings of triumph

Interplay of sound elements

  • Enhancing immersion:
    • The combination of diegetic and non-diegetic sound creates a rich, layered auditory experience that draws the audience deeper into the film
    • Diegetic sound grounds the audience in the film's world, making it feel tangible and real, while non-diegetic sound adds emotional depth and resonance
  • Guiding audience interpretation:
    • Non-diegetic sound can provide commentary on the events unfolding on-screen, offering insights or counterpoints to the visual narrative
    • The juxtaposition of diegetic and non-diegetic sound can create irony (upbeat music playing over a tragic scene), tension (a ticking clock during a suspenseful moment), or humor (silly sound effects punctuating a character's actions)
  • Shaping narrative structure:
    • Sound can be used to transition between scenes or to indicate changes in time or location, such as a consistent musical motif that plays whenever a particular character appears
    • Non-diegetic sound can unite seemingly disparate scenes and create thematic connections, like a recurring melody that symbolizes a character's emotional journey throughout the film


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© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.