What is it called when a movie breaks the illusion of fantasy?

Question

What is it called when a movie breaks the illusion of fantasy? For example, a character talks to the camera or otherwise breaks character so the movie violates the illusion of the fiction.

Answer 1

Breaking the Fourth Wall is the common way of describing this technique. If you are interested in this topic I would suggest looking up meta narratives, themes, and Brechtian directing.

Answer 2

It is usually referred to as "Breaking the Fourth Wall".