1. to make a plot or story excessively complicated or intricate; to include too many plot elements or subplots
Usage: informal; commonly used in literary and film criticism

Examples

• The director overplotted the sequel with so many subplots that audiences lost track of the main story.
• Critics argued that the novel overplotted its narrative, introducing too many characters and conflicts.
• Some writers overplot their stories in an attempt to make them seem more sophisticated.
• The screenplay was overplotted; cutting a few storylines would have made it much stronger.
• She tends to overplot her mysteries, adding twists that confuse rather than engage readers.