An insider story is one that focuses on a character who begins as an outsider, but gains access to information that puts them in a moral conflict with the society they live in. This type of narrative is often found in thrillers and science fiction, where a hero must decide whether to reveal a secret that could destroy them or continue working with their current employer.
A great example of this type of story is Michael Mann’s 1999 film The Insider, which tells the true story of Jeffrey Wigand, a former tobacco company scientist who became whistleblower in the infamous case that revealed big tobacco’s deceptions to consumers. The film follows the efforts of CBS producer Lowell Bergman and journalist Mike Wallace to interview Wigand, as well as the attempts by corporate execs to suppress the story in fear of lawsuits. It’s a gripping tale of journalism, ethical conflict, and corporate conspiracies with excellent performances from Russell Crowe and Al Pacino.
This movie harkens back to the days when grown-up films like All The President’s Men and The Parallax View regularly packed theaters and garnered critical applause. It’s a rare example of a movie that addresses a real-life issue and offers an expertly crafted presentation of the facts, making it a standout among historical dramas. Other examples of this type of narrative are found in novels such as Ursula K. LeGuin’s first and second books in her Earthsea series. Ged, the main protagonist, starts as an outsider, a boy whose powerful natural gifts for magic are ineffectively tutored by his half-competent witch. But his pride and jealousy drive him to disregard the warnings of his elders and summon a creature that consumes his world.