The Art of Killing off Characters...

Ever since the beginning of cinema, characters have been killed off in movies. There are multiple reasons why writers would kill off a character, whether it be because of plot advancement, unpopularity, budget cuts, or because why not?

There are both good and bad reasons to kill off characters. Sometimes the act of killing a character actually benefits the work as a whole. On the other hand, if done for the wrong reasons, then it can be a sign of cynicism or commercialism by the filmmakers. So, before writers decide to say goodbye to a character, they should consider:

1. Does the character's death advance the plot?

For example: Sonny Corleone's demise in the "Godfather" (1972)-> allows his brother Michael Corleone, to step in and inherit the family's wealth as crime boss and eliminate all his enemies. In this case the death of Sonny is a key part of the rise (and fall) of the Corleone family, which is the main story of the Godfather trilogy.

2. Is the death relevant to any story/side arc?

For example: In Lord of the Rings, Boromir dies, allowing Aragorn to consolidate authority over the Fellowship. Boromir is a relatively minor character, but the audience is still invested in him (perhaps because he's the closest we get to a 'normal' person, serving in a way as an audience stand-in). Still, his death is instrumental in Aragon's rise. 

3. How does the situation justify the death?

For example: The execution of Ned Stark in Game of Thrones. Unlike Boromir, who falls victim to greed and lust for power, Ned Stark stays faithful to his principles. Arguably, this sense of honor leads to his downfall. Game of Thrones is a story of flawed people fighting for influence, so in way the death of a truly honorable character set the tone for the rest of the series.   

4. How valuable is the character/The weight of their impact on the story - Main Character vs Secondary Character

5. The attachment to this character from both other characters and audience

6. The audiences predicted reception of the death