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With Halloween just around a corner, many of us are preparing to binge-watch some of the best horror movies. Scary movie plots can set a perfect Halloween mood by making us shiver with fear and suspense. However, there are also plenty of funny horror movies that leave us plain confused, rather than scared. This is usually because they are either ridiculously predictable and filled with everyone's favorite cliche examples or just don't make any sense.
We here at Bored Panda have compiled the most annoying cliches list, the ones that could ruin even the best horror movie plot twist. While we're not saying that all scary movies are guilty of these cliche quotes and actions, you'll definitely be able to recognize quite a few! Scroll below to read them!
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#1
Running On A Road While Being Chased By A Car Cliche
This one is actually a comedy gold. If you were chased by a car, wouldn't your survival instincts tell you to run somewhere where the car can’t drive? Well, not if you’re a horror movie character. It’s way too common for the protagonist to run on the road, in front of a car while being chased.
Enuya 7 years ago
What is even more funny, sometimes they run for a long moment before the car catch them up.
Pradeep M 7 years ago
Well the villain doesn't want an infraction for speeding. He's just trying to kill someone.
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Brigitta Swart 7 years ago
This is when I am shouting at the tv - run into the bushes you moron!! Are you stupid, stop running in the road!!
Hendra Lim 7 years ago
yeah, same for me "why the f**k you run straight while got chased by cars when you got lot's of tree and bush on the side"
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Carmen Elena 7 years ago
Maybe they hope another car shows up so they get some help... But in real life it´s more like nobody would stop. So...
stellermatt 7 years ago
unless they're chasing you and they're on a unicycle, their turning circle is not gonna be that quick, sharp left and you're good.
RaroaRaroa 7 years ago
This one is just annoying. There is always a narrow alley or close together trees you could run between where the can can't fit.
Janet Salisbury 5 years ago
why don't they just run on the sidewalk, or run in the trees lady!!
RELATED:
#2
Women Can't Run Without Falling Down Cliche
In real life, women are pretty good runners. Too bad horror movie script writers think otherwise. According to them, women can't run a mile while being chased by a killer without slamming their whole weight into the ground and that's when the killer gets them.
rhyan lumilay 7 years ago
Proven in Jurassic World that a non athletic woman wearing heels can outmatched a T-Rex in running when it's life or death situation.
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Hayley Lightcap 7 years ago
I think the idea isn't that women are s****y runners but that they're so panicked they fall. Which is also dumb but explains why people are falling all the time in general.
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 7 years ago
You're right, when in panic legs trend to get weak, but it shoul also be a man's issue in movies.
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Brigitta Swart 7 years ago
I cannot even walk without tripping up, so this would be me, falling every 10 meters
Basil 7 years ago
K, I'll just say it. It's sexist. It's just one of many things done to women in horror movies to make them look vulnerable. Vulnerable women in horror movies are used to build tension in ways that vulnerable men are not, because women are just in general perceived to be more vulnerable. This is dumb and stupid and sexist, but playing on those fears in both men and women viewers is an easy way to create tension in a scene. That is why this trope is used a LOT. It is also used on male characters as well- any character being in the lying down position, or lying down facing up- those are considered vulnerable or weakened positions in general so they are used a lot in horror. I'll let y'all connect those dots for yourselves. 🤐
Силвия Митева 7 years ago
i would say this is intended to duplicate the helplessness we feel when we try to run in our sleep, but our feet just won't listen and take small steps instead of running. You can't put THAT on screen, but you can make the character fall and thus force the audience to experience something familiar. It DOES happen to male characters from time to time, but I agree it is annoying in ALWAYS happens to females.
SupernaturalPanda 3 years ago
And the killer is usually walking ...like he/she knows this b***h about to fall at any minute lmao
John Titor 6 years ago
A mile? That's a quite generous assumption. They usually can't even run 5 steps without kissing the pavement.
#3
The Car Never Starts Cliche
One of the most nerve-racking moments of horror movies is when the protagonist tries to escape from the claws of death. However, luck is never in their favor if they decide to flee the danger by jumping into a car. Because in horror movies the car never starts, for no apparent reason. Your brand new vehicle may have been working perfectly 10 minutes ago, but it won't start when you are being chased by a killer.
Naomi Armitage 7 years ago
I know at least one car battery company used this trope in one of their TV commercials a few years ago. They showed various scenes of cars not starting in horror movies, then said something like, "Make sure you've got the right battery for when you really need it."
Lazy Panda 7 years ago
I always chalk it up to the killer having tampered with it to prevent their escape
La Petite Morte 7 years ago
I'm gonna put this somewhere else, but if you haven't seen it, rent the movie Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon. It's a documentary style film following a soon to be supernatural killer as he makes his preparations for the 'big night'. It actually explains the how and why of each of these tropes, from the killer sabotaging vehicles to ensuring all available weapons are broken or ineffective. It's hilarious and awesome.
John Baker 7 years ago
And when the car finally does start, she manages to drive for fifty feet before hitting a tree or running into a ditch.
#4
Splitting Up Cliche
If you wind up in situations when there’s a psycho killer running around murdering people, the best thing you can do is stay with as many people as possible to increase your chances of survival. What do horror movie characters choose to do in situations like these? They split up! Sure, they will cover more ground when searching for an escape, but usually, they will end up getting offed one by one.
Lark Estelle 7 years ago
I imagined that in Fred from Scooby Doo's voice LOL
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Daria B 7 years ago
Each of them are equipped with their respective NPC, so they're not really alone. ^_- (dunno, though, not really an online player)
Load More Replies... Brigitta Swart 7 years ago
Oh no....you are not leaving me, I will attach myself to your ankles, but you are not leaving me on my own!!
Christina Sersif 7 years ago
People in horror movies are almost always stupid. I enjoy a good scary movie, but it's hard to find a good one because of the stupidity of the characters.
Holden Flechtner 2 years ago
rational people: "guys stay together he could be anywhere" Horror Movie: ""GuYs LeT's SpLiT Up
#5
The Inconsistent Strength Of A Killer Cliche
The villain is so skilled at killing that they make every irrelevant character drop like a fly, up until they encounter the main protagonist. Then suddenly a killer becomes weaker and clumsier than usual, giving an unfair advantage to the hero of the movie.
Cerys Dunbar 7 years ago
i would love if someone created a villain that wasn't really strong but was just really smart instead
Lazy Panda 7 years ago
Well I mean for the specific movie in the photo it makes sense because A) He’s literally some kind of monstrous abomination, and B) He needs fear, the hero wasn’t afraid of him so he just gradually got weaker. For monster movies it makes sense but for serial killer movies it’s totally illogical
Bored Fox 7 years ago
Second option is that the villain is as strong as always but she/he starts a speech and the hero has enough time to kill the villain before the speech ends.
ille102 7 years ago
Ugh, this also always happens in series like Criminal Minds and it drives me crazy - the team made it JUST in time, amazing!
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Aditya Swaminathan 7 years ago
While I get the references this cliche point is referring to, and agree with it, the image used is not the best example of this kind of cliche, in my opinion. In IT, the strength of the monster is related to the proportionate amount of fear the person feels. So when you confront IT with strength, IT's own strength diminishes.
Shaylynne Gosnell 7 years ago
i would be scared to be in that situation even if this dude ain't fr coming at me...
#6
Adults Are Useless Cliche
In horror movies that revolve around teenagers or younger children, getting help from responsible adults is next to impossible. They usually never believe nor listen when children try to tell them about the crazy things that are happening.
glowworm2 7 years ago
It would be pretty awesome if there was a horror movie where the adults not only believed the kids, they got in on it. "So you say that our neighbor across the street is a werewolf?" *Grabs hunting riffle with silver bullets* Let's go get him, son!"
Kristy LeAnn 7 years ago
In my experience this is accurate though. When I was a kid, I witnessed a car wreck outside of my grandma's house. I ran inside to tell everyone and not ONE person would listen to me. But then my aunt ran in after me and everyone was like "Oh no, a car wreck! Better call 911!" Another time I was playing on the porch and my parents' car just caught on fire (no idea why). I ran behind the house to tell my dad (who was cutting weeds) and he just ignored me until the neighbor's kid he was talking to (who was about 15) looked around the house and said, "She's right, your car is on fire." lol...Adults don't listen to kids, especially little kids.
A Dyke From The Dreamworld 7 years ago
I hate that! Just because you're young doesn't mean you have no rights or you're not human.
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stellermatt 7 years ago
you've got work, bills to pay, dinner to cook then Stacey come in spouting about a strange noise coming from that box she found in the woods and you're like "really? a noise? this penne alla arrabiata is not gonna stir itself"
Mr. Re-in-act-ment 7 years ago
Same with the police. "You are prank calling us" says every policemen in every horror movie ever
Miklós Nagy 7 years ago
"So you are saying that a crazy serial killer murders your friends?" "But mom! Bob's corpses is literally in my bedroom with his blood slat on my wall!!!" "Oh, sweetie! You should really clear your room more often!"
Kjorn 7 years ago
if my kids come to me and says they're a monster in his room… of course i won't Believe it
Daria B 7 years ago
Yep. I'd assume it's a beatle or a spider, or something. So I'd tell my kid to show me, so I can take care of it. ♥
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#7
Betrayed By One Little Sound Cliche
No matter how good is the victim's hiding spot is, there's definitely going to be a sound that will give away their location. We’ve seen way too many scenes of a victim hiding in a closet or under the bed and their phone going off helping the killer to find their victim.
Cheesecake Queen 7 years ago
Yep. Or, they're crying or hyperventilating and I'm all "STFU BEFORE YOU GET KILLED, YA TWAT!!"
stellermatt 7 years ago
I wonder if there is a 'Horror movie villain training school', ok class, todays lesson will be what to listen out for when stalking your prey twigs and floorboards are the big two, but who can think of a third? bueller? bueller? bueller?
Izeyah Freeman 5 years ago
The picture is from the movie series taken, i dont remember what sound gave her away though
Basil 7 years ago
I hate the opposite. They hide and then GET ON THE PHONE and CALL SOMEONE and no one hears! How! That is so impossible! Look at the image, that is what looks like is happening there, not the "don't make a sound" trope. A sound SHOULD betray someone. Getting away with a whole call is friggin' ridiculous and keeps popping up more and more.
#8
The Speed Walking Killer Cliche
It doesn't matter if the killer is crippled or missing a leg, he can even walk instead of running because he will always be faster than a victim sprinting in terror.
Kenny Kulbiski 7 years ago
It doesn't make any difference anyway, the sexy victim always trips over a dust particle .
Misterscooter 7 years ago
Except slow moving zombies. That's all about quantity. And dark basements.
Brigitta Swart 7 years ago
And they still walk after being shot and having a knife sticking out their leg! I am making myself scared now
Christina Sersif 7 years ago
it's because he has theme music. theme music makes you walk faster.
Carmen Elena 7 years ago
this is my favourite. Really? The victim is much faster than usain bolt buuuuuut someway the killer is already there, waiting and smoking like saying: "you´re finally here! DIEEE!!!"
#9
The Mirror Scare Cliche
It seems that the filmmakers just cannot resist this cliche. Every time there’s a mirror in a movie you know what’s about to happen - when the character looks at it they will suddenly see a reflection of a monster standing behind them.
Misterscooter 7 years ago
With some of these clichés, they do it well when they show the mirror or other expected scare moment, and then shift it just when you think the scare moment has passed.
Ashley Say Wha?!? 7 years ago
I would like to see one where the "victim" instead of screaming says, "oh, hey, what's up Jim!" Then the ghost is like, "nothing much man. Wanna go grab a coffee?" The End.
Nicole Lingley 7 years ago
What movie is this? I don’t recognize it and would love to watch.
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Basil 7 years ago
These have morphed over the years to panning shots where the monster/ghost/whatever is just kind of there in the background, not necessarily a jump scare, just there and then maybe isn't there, or even just kind of lingers there. It Follows mastered that s**t and it scared the bejeezus out of me, like shrieking scares because they wouldn't cut away from it. Mirror scares do that too sometimes now. The protagonist won't notice and the beastie or whatever will just kind of be there in the back, maybe even a little indistinct, not making eye contact even. So you have to notice it on your own time. Fuuuuuuuuck. Gets me every time. Love it.
Suzanne Wykoff 7 years ago
Man, I have issues with this because of horror movies. Everytime I close my bathroom cabinet mirror, I look down so that I don't freak myself out expecting something or one to be there LOL
#10
Bad Cell Phone Reception Cliche
At some point, scriptwriters probably realized that it's quite unconvincing for a character to never have a phone when they need to call for help. So they figured out a solution - bad reception. So when disaster strikes, phones are always useless.
Mr. Re-in-act-ment 7 years ago
Well Panic room is that they're trapped in a room full of steel that blocks all signals
Hendra Lim 7 years ago
like the classes in my university, you can't use wi-fi from outside the class at all and the phone signal dropped half.
Load More Replies... Suhaira tasni 4 years ago
Ok why aren't they calling 911 even if their phone is working in proper condition?
Basil 7 years ago
You can't complain about this one. It has to exist or else there is no movie. Otherwise- Hello police? Murder guy is here. Wooo Woo. We got him Ma'am. The End. Without conflict, there is no plot. Without plot there is no movie. So the convenient tech has got to go, one way or another.
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 7 years ago
That and the 3% battery that allows you only one phone call that's answered by a kid or someone that has somerhing amazing to tell you and doesn't let you speak
#11
The Dark Basement Cliche
If a horror movie character buys a house, there definitely will be a creepy basement where someone was murdered or will be murdered. Not to mention that the owners always feel the need to inspect weird noises coming from it, when they are alone. Also, that dimmed light bulb that hangs in the basement? Well, it most certainly will go out at the worst possible moment.
MN Free Spirit 7 years ago
This one and why doesnt anyone turn on lights! I have no problem going to get a glass of water and turning every damn light on in my house.
BusLady 7 years ago
It always seems like the light is one of those cords hanging down from the ceiling. And it's at the bottom of the steps. Never at the entrance. Lol
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Dl B 7 years ago
And they never went down in the basement (or the attic) before buying the house. Who moves into a house without checking the whole thing out first?
Basil 7 years ago
I did! I bought a house 750 miles away without even seeing it first. (My Dad was there and looked at it though.) The day me and my spouse took ownership was the day I first saw it- and I didn't know it had a TERRIFYING basement until that day. Life is weird, situations happen you don't expect to find yourself in. My house is great, btw. Lol.
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stellermatt 7 years ago
it symbolises hell yeah? whats beneath us is scary, above us safe? that's why they run upstairs too yeah? higher is safer lower is danger?
SupernaturalPanda 3 years ago
I always keep my devilish demons in basement to ward off those pesky kids and their dog
EmiCraft Chile 5 years ago
house with creepy basement/attic: *exists* protagonists: I WILL TAKE YOUR ENTIRE STOCK
Basil 7 years ago
I have a basement in my house. It's very scary. The last owner painted it dark orange. Effin' NO to that choice. But it has our laundry, cat boxes, and a greenhouse room so I must go in there. You bet your SWEET A*S if I heard noises in there I would go inspect them even alone. Who tf stays in their house alone with creepy noises happening below them? I'm not gonna plod down the stairs full force, but in normal human houses the light switch is at the top of the stairs and I leaves those babies on 24/7, you betcha, so yes imma sneak a peak. With my baseball bat and pepperspray. I'm not totally dumb. And we put a bunch of lights down there too. I'M GENRE SAVVY.
#12
Ignoring The Elder's Warning Cliche
While we usually don’t expect for the main character to pack their bags and leave when some old person warns them about crazy stuff going on in a house they just bought, some consideration would make this scenario a little bit more believable and less of a cliche. Old people usually don’t just walk around warning people of danger for no good reason.
Naomi Armitage 7 years ago
Not really--as stellermatt said below, don't listen to ALL older people, just the OLDEST of the old people (so not Baby Boomers, but Greatest Generation-ers--although soon, it will be "not Gen X-ers, but Baby Boomers).
Load More Replies... Sgs 7 years ago
That guy in the picture just might be the actor who played Hurman Munster from "The Munsters"
Jocelyn Dae 7 years ago
His name is Fred Gwynne. He was also the judge in "My Cousin Vinny".
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stellermatt 7 years ago
don't listen to all older people, just the oldest of the older people.
SupernaturalPanda 3 years ago
People don’t believe old people just like they don’t believe kids...until s**t goes down and bodies start dropping...
deanna woods 6 years ago
It makes you wonder though, why are they still alive if they know so much?
#13
The Final Girl Cliche
The final girl trope is prevalent is slasher horror movies when only one girl out of a group of people survives. The final girl is often portrayed as a shy, innocent person in the beginning, but as once the hell is unleashed she turns out to be the most resourceful and intelligent character.
Naomi Armitage 7 years ago
The Virgin must survive. The Athlete, the Fool, the Whore, and the Scholar must die. The Old Ones demand it.
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 7 years ago
The final girl is always the obvious virgin because these type of horror movies are really about punishing female sexuality, why do you think the characters are always getting killed right after or during sex???
Dion Yates 4 years ago
I always thought the final girl was the virgin (to be honest, I can think of few beyond Laurie Strode and Nancy Thompson) because it highlights her lack of worldliness - she feels unprepared and lacking in confidence and has to dig deeper when fighting back. There are also movies like 'Straw Dogs' in which a weak, ineffectual retaliates with remarkable viciousness. I think our tendency to refract everything through the prism of sexual politics doesn't necessarily yield accurate readings. And the males in horror movies often die during or after sex too - are they not being 'punished'?
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Jaded Queen 7 years ago
So a shy and innocent character cannot be resourceful and intelligent?
John Baker 7 years ago
Sometimes subverted when a) more than one person survives, b) the last survivor is a guy, or c) no one survives.
#14
The Killer Is Invincible Cliche
Even the most human-like villains in horror movies seem to be immortal. This invincible monster makes everyone drop like flies, and easily recovers from any hit he takes. And when a hero finally knocks down the bad guy, 10 minutes later he's alive and ready to hunt down the rest of his unsuspecting victims.
Andres Tejeda 7 years ago
Or another common one related to this one. When they manage to knock out the attacker in the movie they don't out right kill him while he is incapacitated. Seriously Scream, I know what you did last summer, and others. If I go through all of the trouble of knocking him out best believe I am making sure he is dead.
rhyan lumilay 7 years ago
yeah most of them just walks away without assuring that he's dead.
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Navindu Wijewardena 3 years ago
In Mortal Kombat X or 11, Jason has a mode called Unstoppable, and in that he can literally come back to life after being killed, but there are some requirements (I don't remember)
Basil 7 years ago
This why I hate slashers. They're so boring. The bad guys are like mindless animals, npcs in a video game. Just gore for gores sake. It's like torture porn: what is the point? Where is the enjoyment here? They aren't artful. They have nothing to say, except the most basic puritanical s**t shaming b******t, contrasted with totally glorified violence. Which, hey, I love violence as much as any horror fan. But this stuff just does nothing for me. Nothing. I don't know . . . I guess I just want some sort of reason to give a s**t when I'm watching a film. An emotional connection, beautifully shot images, a message or theme or idea or something, something to hold onto. This meat-sack stuff is just the equivalent of Adam Sandler comedies or British 19th century romantic novel adaptations cast solely with TV actors. They're just filler.
Elizabeth Molloy 7 years ago
Wolf f****ing Creek. Kill him when he's down, don't just run away and leave the weapon behind!
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 7 years ago
they even did that in CSI:NY. How did Shane Casey fall off a lighthouse and not even get hurt?
#15
Everyone Is An Idiot Cliche
One thing is clear - when a murderous psycho is breathing down your neck, only basic survival skills can save your life. But if you're a horror movie protagonist, then chances are that you're a dummy who keeps making one stupid decision after another, until you get bludgeoned to death. The protagonist making absurd, life-threatening decisions is one of the most prevalent horror movie cliches.
Jaded Queen 7 years ago
I really don't think so. It doesn't happen until u are really face to face with something that scary. Otherwise our senses goes on high alert, and our mind works out different scenarios to save us. If u even have 5 mins u will likely not do something stupid. But then it does depend on the individual I guess.
Load More Replies... deborah atulomah 7 years ago
...she's always running up the stairs, when she should be running out ( of) the door
fruit_panda 7 years ago
This is why I love movies featuring a protagonist who ends up in danger in spite of good judgment - it makes it way more frightening!
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 7 years ago
"there's a crazy killer running around loose! he's already got two of our friends! Let's not get in the car and get the cops though, LET'S WALK AROUND IN THE WOODS WITH FLASHLIGHTS!"
Greg Alan 3 years ago
This one bugs me the most. If a filmmaker wants me to believe that the danger is real, make the protagonist smart as f**k. Have them make every smart and right decision possible, and STILL fall prey to the killer. When I see the "everyone is an idiot" cliche in film, it really undermines how frightened I should feel about the threat.
Johnathan Wilson 5 years ago
Michelle Mancini's death from the killer in the backseat prologue in Urban legend may serve as an example.
David Dible 5 years ago
So will crappy writing excuses on how to get this person killed by the shuffling man with a knife
#16
Expert Shooter Cliche
Once the guns appear in a horror movie, despite never firing a gun before, every character becomes an expert shooter.
Cactus Corsage 7 years ago
It's a movie about scary movie cliches being featured on an article about scary movie cliches perfect.
Marnee DeRider 7 years ago
It's so bad that people actually think that a teacher armed with 30 hours training will be able to effectively shoot that maddened gunman who just arrived firing into the teacher's classroom. Because, you know, the good guy always hits his/her mark!
Erik Granqvist 7 years ago
If you have never fired a gun, and are scared to death when holding it - you will most likley miss. If you dont wait until the offender is basically just out of arms reach. Then, and only then, you should empty the clip.
William Teach 7 years ago
Even better when they're hitting things 30+ yards away with a handgun. No.
deborah atulomah 7 years ago
the direct opposite of action movies , where the hoodlums spray the whole scene with automatic fire, yet never hit the running hero. " My, what a lousy shot you are"
#17
Creepy Children Cliche
Children are generally innocent looking and not scary at all unless you see them in a horror movie, then they are freaky as hell.
Sandra La Madeleine 7 years ago
OOOhhh this one is s**t though. Ever babysat a kid? They are freaking creepy. They can tell you weird s**t like you're gonna die while they are playing with a doll. Or stare at the corner of the bedroom for no reason like they see a freaking ghost. Children ARE SCARY FOR REAL.
Bored Fox 7 years ago
For me the most scary thing with the small children is that they are very unpredictable. Some wise people have said that the small children are like very drunk adults - you never know what they will do next - suddenly they can start to yell, cry, vomit, pee, poo, sleep, eat things that they are not supposed to eat, etc...
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SupernaturalPanda 3 years ago (edited)
You don’t know horror until you wake up in the dead of night to find your 3 yr old son standing at foot of your bed staring at you with an evil grin on his face....s**t that like scars you for life , just saying
Basil 7 years ago
I think it's not just that they can BE creepy but that they instill so much fear in adults just normally- are they OK, is that safe, is this behavior normal, am I doing a good job, did I do the right thing, should they be doing that, can they have that, where are they right now, are they breathing, is that a normal cough, etc etc. The fear is already there, (even a stranger starts to notice a kid playing too close to the road), so it seems fairly easy for fear FOR them to turn to fear OF them.
#18
The Black Guy Always Dies Cliche
Do you know who has definitely no chance of survival in a typical cliche-ridden horror movie plot? A black person. However, this cliche is beginning to die out as studios begin to realize that the main protagonist doesn't necessarily have to be white.
Andres Tejeda 7 years ago
Being Mexican, if I see some serial killer people in the woods, house, suburbs, or wherever. Trust I will be gone. I will not stick around to investigate.
Kenny Kulbiski 7 years ago
Yet another reason Latinos will soon be a majority in the U.S.😀
Load More Replies... Daria B 7 years ago
This one is not only a horror film thing. I noticed it used to happen a lot in films from the late 1990's in general. The black guy (always a guy, not a female), if he's the only black one in the group, he would be like "the one everyone loves, and who sacrifices himself for the good of the group", or something like that.
The Cappy 7 years ago
I call BS on this one. Dawn of the Dead 1978. One of the only 2 to survive was the black guy.
Basil 7 years ago
You cannot possibly really think that your one example negates the dozens and dozens of other examples to the contrary, right? That's just dumb.
Load More Replies... Izeyah Freeman 5 years ago (edited)
Black people in the movies are the ones who haul ass. And the white people always wanna investigate
TwiceRice23 7 years ago
Okay but the same thing can be said of young , blonde, white women lol.
Basil 7 years ago
You literally (presumably) just read the entry on the final girl and still posted this. Plus, if there are five white girls and one black person and four white girls die and so does the black person, the cliche is still true. That's the issue of only ever casting one black person and then always killing them off. Whatever happens to the white characters doesn't matter- there's enough of them that they all will be represented- some will live, some will die. But with only one black character ever, it matters what happens to them. If they only ever die, that sucks.
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AntiqueAngel44 4 years ago
Doesn't the “Dumb Blonde Girl” get killed pretty early in the movie as well?
fubukifangirl 5 years ago
Um...Night of the Living Dead? The sole black guy survived until the end. Dawn of the Dead? One of the two survivors was a black guy. Day of the Dead? The only black guy was one of the three survivors. Return of the Living Dead? Spider is one of the last to die and only because the government nuked the town. Yes these are all zombie movies but they are also old so the black guy surviving is not a new thing.
#19
Jump Scares Cliche
Cheap horror movies are known to use horrible jump scares to frighten their viewers. You can almost feel when something weird will jump in front of the screen for no reason at all. How about instead of startling viewers show something actually frightening instead?
Andres Tejeda 7 years ago
I hate these, not because they are scary (they are not), it just over used and breaks up all the tension that was built up during the movie. Its like blowing your load too soon and wondering what to do next.
Daria B 7 years ago
I like the way you describe these jump scares. Reminds me of what I did long ago to a friend of mine purposefully to lower horror tensions by scare pranking her while watching a jumpscare-free horror film.
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Nostalgic Hyena 7 years ago
A horror movie relying on jumpscares to scare you is like a comedian tickling you to make you laugh.
diane a 7 years ago
I saw the film Carrie in 1981 - I had read the book. When the hand came up out of the grave the entire theatre screamed - it wasnt in the book
Misterscooter 7 years ago
A standard that works. Hopefully there is more to the movie than that, though.
Terry Flynn 4 years ago
Jump scares can be well used, though. James Wan is a master in both "Insidious" and "The Conjuring". The trick is he builds tension around them so the scare terrifies you instead of just startling you.
Izeyah Freeman 5 years ago
Is this from "The Nun" it was not scary at all all the jumpscares were predictable
#20
Dropping The Keys Cliche
It's unbelievable how clumsy protagonists can get when they are running away from a killer. Fear does make people frantic, but the number of scenes of characters dropping their keys while trying to unlock the door is incredible.
Marnee DeRider 7 years ago
The thing is, people can become clumsy when in a panic. I didn't used to think so. I remember seeing many years ago a video of a guy set up by a "friend" to be scared by what he thought was a real alligator or bear (can't remember), and the guy just tripped and stumbled like crazy trying to get away.
George Erickson 7 years ago
I love that the picture is from a movie where it was specifically making fun of the cliches
nazan fidan 7 years ago
yea and they can never find the key hole because their hands shake crazily
#21
The Same Old Creepy Locations Cliche
If you’re a big fan of horror movies you probably seen way too many movies set in abandoned houses, creepy orphanages, mental institutions, basements, caves and so on. Despite the fact that in our minds these places are frightening, it's getting a bit repetitive, isn’t it?
Victoria A 7 years ago
Let's go into this spooky dark room and we will be perfectly fine right
The Girl on Fire 7 years ago
Yep! Also, let's go alone and with a dim flashlight.
Load More Replies... stellermatt 7 years ago
just setting the scene. a bloodbath on a bouncy castle aint gonna put the w*****s up ya is it... or maybe...
Basil 7 years ago
I recently watched Haunting of Hill House on Netflix and I was groaning at the intensely cliched settings but I think they can be overcome, in that show's case by the strength of the story and the actor's highly skilled emotional performances. But still, more creativity in settings is always welcome.
Hendra Lim 7 years ago
so,... want to try make horror movie in a good looking new neighborhood, a good looking new houses everywhere, where there's many cute animals and kids running around,... but the whole neighborhood people is a serial killer who kill any new comers secretly?
#22
Murder In The Bathroom Cliche
Not many people expect to be murdered in a bathroom, well maybe except those who watch a lot of horror movies. If you've seen a handful of them, you know how often killers assault their victims who are taking a shower.
Daria B 7 years ago
True. You're not only naked, the floor is slippery too.
Load More Replies... The Cappy 7 years ago
The photo that you're using is poorly chosen. It most definitely was NOT a cliche when Hitchcock did it in Psycho.
Lex Ellyss 7 years ago
I was just gonna say!!! How dare they besmirch Hitchcock!
Load More Replies... Misterscooter 7 years ago
"Murder in the bathroom, please don't freak. The door is locked, just you and me." (apologies to the English Beat).
Boaty McBoatface 7 years ago
Is it just me or would you prefer to be murdered in the shower rather than sitting on the toilet?
fruit_panda 7 years ago
I was home alone showering once when someone tried to break into my apartment! I poked my head out of the shower because I thought I heard noises. After hearing nothing, I decided I was paranoid from too many horror movies and finished my shower. Coming out of the bathroom, I found the security chain nearly torn out of the doorframe and hanging on by the end of a screw. I'll never know what stopped them, but now I feel my shower paranoia is justified.
fruit_panda 7 years ago
The worst part of the whole thing is that, when I made the police report, the cops didn't believe me because it was a good neighborhood in a small town. They asked if I could have accidentally damaged the security chain myself. I'm 5'1, do I look like I accidentally did/that/?
Load More Replies... Andres Tejeda 7 years ago
I'm surprised there are not more people getting stabbed or killed while on the toilet. You have them there, no place to run or hide, and you can hear it when you literally scare the s**t out of them.
A Night At The Opera 11 months ago
Hey, at least it took until "Terrifier 3" to have Art commit a shower kill!
#23
The Stereotyped Characters Cliche
While not every horror movie is guilty of stereotyped characters, we’ve seen way too many of those which are. Usually, there’s not just one walking stereotype - there’s a whole group. Typically they are - a slut, jock, nerd, and virgin.
Basil 7 years ago
If you aren't sure that tells me you haven't seen this movie and that is a true shame. Cabin in the Woods, it is hilarious and kind of scary too.
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bring on the internet warriors 7 years ago
One of us is Lying by Karen McManus--not horror or a film but it's a murder mystery and a perfect embodiment of this
#24
The Police Always Arrive Too Late Cliche
With all the obstacles horror movie characters face when trying to get help, waiting for the police is probably the most nerve-wracking. The character goes through hell and back trying to get help and a glimmer of hope appears when they finally call the police. However, as this cliche follows, the police can take ages to arrive and when they finally do - there’s usually no one left to save.
Erik Granqvist 7 years ago
If you live any where in Sweden, that is actually true. If you live in rural areas in the north, the Police wont show up for days. For real. They wont show up för days.
Izeyah Freeman 5 years ago
They arrive when everything is done and half of your friends are dead
#25
Sex Will Get You Killed Cliche
Horror movie fans know this already - if there's a scene of a couple getting naughty, they’ll both bite the dust. Because what better time to kill somebody than when they're having sex?
Hendra Lim 7 years ago
kill 2 people with 1 blade/fangs/other things at once
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Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 7 years ago
as I said earlier, it's about punishing sex
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 7 years ago
This is why I don't have sex, for protection, yeah, exactly this... yeah... this is why... :(
Johnathan Wilson 5 years ago
Sex is kryptonite for stupid people who are unaware of their surroundings!
#26
Based On Actual Events Cliche
While there are movies which really are based on actual events, others are nowhere near the real facts. Yet filmmakers still try to fool their audience into thinking otherwise. Even though there are many people who believe everything they're being told without second-guessing, even they have seen too many fake 'based on true events' announcements to believe them.
r3dd3v1lL 7 years ago
I laughed my a*s off when this appeared at the start of The Conjuring. Couldn't take the movie seriously for one second after that.
Hayley Lightcap 7 years ago
Eh I don't know I always think it's fun to go back and fact check afterwards
Misterscooter 7 years ago
It is fiction so they can say whatever they want. *maniacal laugh* *maniacal laugh*
Lynn Noyes 7 years ago
In the credits for the original version of 'The Wicker Man' it thanks the people of the fictional island Summerisle “for this privileged insight into their religious practices and for their generous co-operation in the making of this film”, When I walked out after the film I heard a couple talking about how remarkable that island must be.
stellermatt 7 years ago
yeah, the key word is 'based', you could take any true story and tweak it to be scary as all fuckery.
SupernaturalPanda 3 years ago
Case in point...Amityville Horror . Complete hoax. Only true horror is what happened to the Defeo family. Anything other than that is pure fiction
Nia Loves Art 7 years ago
It depends. "Based on" is subjective. Hard to prove that there was no real life inspiration.
Load More Replies... #27
Scribbling On The Walls Cliche
A character's obsession with scribbling bizarre calculations, nonsense words and religious symbols on random surfaces has been a good depiction of some kind of mental disturbance. However, once every screenwriter began copying this idea, it became a cliche in the horror movie industry.
#28
Rising Tension When Nothing Is Happening Cliche
Many horror movies are guilty of raising tension when nothing is actually happening. The viewers are often led to believe that the monster is coming closer, but then the protagonist discovers that the weird sound they're investigating is just a pet.
Person2638 7 years ago
Yeah but that's what makes the movie good. You never know when the monster is near and you slowly let your guard down and BAM!
stellermatt 7 years ago
the longer it goes when nothing happens, the more something is going to happen. also if you watch a scene carefully you'll notice if there is a big space of 'nothing much happening over here-ness' you can bet dollars to donuts that ol' witch face is about to appear there. also be aware of open doors. no good shall come from open doors in horror.
Tiu Tau Tilhi 7 years ago
Exactly this. Also, as a cat owner, I can say I've never had any cat jump out screeching meoowwrrrhhh all of a sudden, like they do in horror movies.
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Flou Music 5 years ago
These doesn't get me honestly. There's too many horror films doing the same thing
John Titor 6 years ago
As long as those scenes aren't followed by a pet jumpscare those can actually be good.
Basil 7 years ago
There is a certain type of arty-horror film that does this endlessly knowing full well THERE WILL NEVER EVEN BE A CLIMAX OR A PAYOFF AND I HATE THAT S**T LIKE POISON. Otherwise, this is tolerable in very small does UNLESS it is a cat. That is so stupid, cats never do that, leave cats alone. Dumb.
#29
Investigating In The Dark Cliche
The first death in a horror movie often happens when one person in the group gets this excellent idea that they should go out alone in the dark to investigate a suspicious sound they just heard. The person is usually so unbelievably oblivious to the danger, that they never take anyone with them, not even a weapon of some sort.
Lex Ellyss 7 years ago
I think it's to introduce the audience to the danger in a dramatic way. Could also be a way to introduce danger to the main characters, too.
Load More Replies... SupernaturalPanda 3 years ago
People are missing..weird sounds being heard...but hey let me take this this low key radio shack flashlight and go investigating on my own. It’s perfectly fine!
Flou Music 5 years ago
I mean, if we heard sounds coming from somewhere, it's our instinct to investigate. But like, we'd bring a companion with us or at least get some lights on
Sarah Simons 4 years ago (edited)
Not me. I'd hide under my bed with my phone refusing to hang up on whatever unlucky soul I called at 2 am. (Of course, it depends on the sound, time of day, and where it came from. If I hear a chainsaw coming from my neighbor's backyard at noon, I'll assume they're doing some yard work. If I hear that same sound at midnight coming from the basement when I know everyone is asleep, however...)
Load More Replies... Izeyah Freeman 5 years ago
Yea guys lets all walk up to a random white van in the middle of the woods in the middle of the night, that'll be cool roight
#30
Running To Hide Upstairs Cliche
When there’s an intruder in your house the safest option is to run outside and yell for help. But way too often protagonists are not aware of this option, so when they run out of the living room or a kitchen - they run upstairs and crawl under the bed, or jump in a closet. While it makes sense for children to do so, when you see an adult doing it, you know that scriptwriters did a sloppy job.
Amreen Godhrawala 7 years ago
And most horror movies are set in bungalows. No building apartment-type setting where you can run straight to your neighbour's house! Rich victims.
BusLady 7 years ago
In real life, the neighbors might not open their doors.
Load More Replies... Suhaira tasni 4 years ago
If you run upstairs then your escape route will be blocked because their are no more places to go ( you won't have the guts to jump out the window) and plus kitchen is also a bad option sometimes as they contain knives, scissors, matches, etc, etc
Basil 7 years ago
I usually just get vocal at this point (if i'm at home). "Oh smooth move genius, let's see what other Einstein-level s**t you pull next. Maybe you deserve to die."
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Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 7 years ago
not sure yelling for help will actually do any good IRL
James Sykes 7 years ago
Didn’t do Jamie Lee much good in Halloween, though. Did it? She ran outside screaming for help.
#31
Creepy Dolls Cliche
While most dolls look cute and innocent, watching too many horror movies can change this perception quickly. They have a way of making dolls look creepy as hell.
Enuya 7 years ago
Dols ARE creepy. Actually, the more innocent they looks, the scarier they are.
panda_legerdemain 7 years ago
Yes. I was always afraid of dolls. Even before I watched any horror movie.
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Aunt Messy 7 years ago
A woman I used to know collected dolls. To display them, she had a shelf installed about two feet below the ceiling on all four walls of her work room. Her husband refused to even go in there and called it The Room Of a Thousand Eyes.
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 7 years ago
they make real Chucky dolls now which I think is pretty bizarre
EMILY CALDERA 4 years ago
Bro my sis is only 2 and she wants to let his doll to she horror to see if its true
Basil 7 years ago
I collect dolls. So, I get it, I do. But also, I don't. They're so stupid looking. I just don't find this trope scary at. All. Like some dolls are gross and creepy, sure. But just punt them. Put a laundry basket over them. It's a f*****g doll, lol. It's just too inherently ridiculous to me. It's made of plastic and, like, buttons and s**t. 😂 Isn't the thing actually scary about these movies the witchcraft or dark magic or whatever? The doll is just the vessel, and the vessel looks dumb as hell.
#32
The Children Can See Spirits Cliche
Many children have imaginary friends, but in horror movies, these 'friends' are usually vengeful spirits who will try to kill their whole family. And of course, parents only take their children's bizarre behavior into consideration after it's too late.
Lindsay Davis 7 years ago
As a kid I allways saw the weirdest s**t.(ghosts, demons, dead ppl ypu name it) freaked my mom out so much she took me to a deliverance pastor(baisically like an exorcist) and she had 20+ ppl come out to pray and cast out demons and evil spirits in our house.
Kittanzs Wattpad 5 years ago
The best movie about this is "hide and seek" it's a 2005 movie, and belive me when I tell you, it is GOLD. I recommend watching it.
#33
Cat Scare Cliche
Cats are usually gentle and sweet animals, unless they are shown in horror movies, then they are creepy as hell. It usually goes as follows: the protagonist enters a dark room to investigate a strange noise - as they always do - and the viewers prepare themselves for something scary to happen. Then suddenly a cat jumps out of nowhere, angrily hissing for no good reason. These 'cat scares' are so prevalent that when you see a cat in a horror movie you know that this will happen sooner or later.
Jilltdcatlady 7 years ago
The only reason a cat jumps out of nowhere, hissing and screaming, is you stepped on their tail. You might not die then, but you will be put on a list. -experienced cat slave.
Danielle Renee 7 years ago
cats are just smart and know sh!t is going down and you should leave!
Tiu Tau Tilhi 7 years ago
Indeed. As a cat owner, I've never had any of my cats jump out like that, screeching or hissing for any reason. So the cat scare cliches make me roll my eyes, come on script writers.. you CAN do better.
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Caroline Murphy 7 years ago
My favorite was in Supernatural when the cat jumped out the locker and Dean screamed his a*s off because of the Yellow Fever virus
Duncan Brownlee 2 years ago
Actually that's wrong! They rarely hiss! It's only the evil or nasty ones that do! Most ones in horrors just jump out or appear meowing or are silent
Izeyah Freeman 5 years ago
Demonic cats vs demonic dogs..you can put the dog in its place but the cats oh no
Basil 7 years ago
This cliche is anti-cat propaganda! Cats just don't act like this unless maybe they are feral and- guess what! Feral cats tend to not want to hang out around people too much. They would run away before resorting to hissing/growling like this. They would do that only if cornered. Source- volunteering in animal shelter.
#34
Warnings In A Dream Cliche
The main character of the movie often has a dream or a vision of the stuff that’s about to go down. They take it as a warning and desperately try to convince everyone around them. Except no one believes them, so the protagonist is left alone to save all the clueless people around them.
Victor Azolike 3 years ago
Oh god, lol I just wrote a horror short script with this exact cliché but the character decides to keep it to herself.
Suhaira tasni 4 years ago
It would be a bit interesting if a side character has this kind of warning
#35
Indian Burial Ground Cliche
A scenario of a young family moving into a new property without knowing that their house is built upon an Indian burial ground was common in horror movie history. Gladly, this racist cliche of Native Americans trying to exact revenge on white people by haunting them is less prevalent these days.
Stille20 7 years ago
I though this one went away long ago. I don't recall it being used recently.
Technoxiaquill@gmail.com 3 years ago
Are you serious?? If anything your stupid. Why do people not consider white as being a race? F*** off
Load More Replies... Danielle Renee 7 years ago
i can only think of two (and pretty old) pet cemetery and poltergeist, both of which revolved around the burial grounds
SupernaturalPanda 3 years ago
Don’t move onto Native American ground and you will be good. If you knowingly move there than that shits on you .
Randomcthulu 7 years ago
Poltergeist was a suburban community built on a cemetery that was supposed to have been relocated, but wasn't
Melissa Nunya 7 years ago
I only remember it once, Poltergeist. Usually it is built where used to be an insane asylum.
#36
Screaming For Help In A Secluded Area Cliche
Screaming for help in an area where there are definitely people nearby can be life-saving. But when you’re trapped in a secluded area, such as a basement of a house located in the middle of the woods, chances are that nobody is going to hear you. So conserving energy for making an escape would make a lot more sense than yelling frantically. Also screaming while running with no chance of anyone hearing won't get you very far.
Pan39 7 years ago
Like that one time of of Judaic world where they where in the elevator and that one girl screamed, it just f****d up all those whom where in it
Izeyah Freeman 5 years ago
im just like stfu you know damn well the chances of a killer encounter and someone hunting in the woods is 0.00001%
SupernaturalPanda 3 years ago
Nah they rather cry and scream then wonder why they are getting gutted
Load More Replies... #37
Creepy Hitchhikers Cliche
If a character sees someone on a roadside needing help, they are definitely going to help them, no matter how suspicious the stranger looks. However, it always ends badly for them. While this scenario is quite believable and realistic, we’ve seen it way too many times already.
CrunChewy McSandybutt 7 years ago
This comes from a rash of hitchhiker related crimes in the 1970s in the United States. However, the vast majority hitchhikers were actually victims of crimes.
Basil 7 years ago
Colleen Stan. That's a . . . well not a "good one", so to speak, but if you want to read something fascinating/f*****g horrifying about a poor hitch-hiker in the seventies, that's just about the most interesting story that exists.
Load More Replies... Suhaira tasni 4 years ago
Don't Hitchhike and don't pick hitchhikers either. That is what I learnt from this cliche
#38
No Guns Cliche
The characters would have it so much easier if they could carry guns. However, this would probably make the movie end so much faster and with a lot less gore. That’s probably the reason why you rarely see a protagonist defending themselves from a killer with a gun.
Don Flynn 7 years ago
They forgot the "everyone is a victim" cliche... some people would fight back
Basil 7 years ago
I think you forgot the "these are f*****g movies, you dumb dumb, and also people literally fight back in all of them, often with guns, and if they succeeded there wouldn't be much of a movie left there then, now would there be?" I swear, this is the dumbest bunch of . . .
Load More Replies... Andres Tejeda 7 years ago
Seriously, or a freaking dog to alert you for that matter. In real life many of these horror movies would not even happen if the victims had guns in their homes. For example Scream or many of the other slasher flicks.
James Sykes 7 years ago
I agree. I’ve thought myself that I could take some of these horror movie killers. Freddy, for one. Lol not Jason or Michael, though. Those two are brutes.
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John Titor 6 years ago
That cliche actually makes sense if the story is playing in pretty much any other country outside of the US. In those countries it would make no freaking sense why a normal person is walking around carrying a gun - and it would be more frightening and concerning than the entire rest of the movie.
Basil 7 years ago
This one is not a cliche and is in fact negated in it's own description, pointing out why it's not a cliche but more so a necessary story telling device to not have too many guns or any at all. If every protagonist had say, a big-a*s gun and a working cell phone and simply shot the baddie then called the cops, WOULDN'T BE MUCH OF A STORY, EH? Was this entry some sort of an intelligence test? Also, guns ARE in TONS of horror movies anyway. Slashers, monster, zombie, big a*s critter movies- they just tend to be ineffective or outnumbered for the reason given. In other sub genres, what's the point? You can't shoot the devil, or ghosts, witches, haunted houses, the paranormal, the possessed, robots. You catch or hunt serial killers usually, guns only at the end. So this is a stupid complaint in and of itself. Guns are BORING.
#39
The Paranormal Expert Cliche
When a character in a horror movie scenario thinks their house is being haunted they usually consult a paranormal expert of some sort. Whether it's a Catholic priest, a demonologist or an actual ghost hunter, seldom do movie plots go without relying on the help of these experts.
Stille20 7 years ago
... wouldn't you be foolish not to consult one of these guys if there was paranormal activity?
Hendra Lim 7 years ago
yeah, who should we consult with of it's not one of these guys
Load More Replies... The Girl on Fire 7 years ago
Or if a priest or ghost expert is not available, it falls on the old woman housekeeper who for some reason knows everything about ghosts.
#40
A Killer With An Axe Cliche
There are probably a lot of better murder weapons, but many horror movie slashers prefer to use axes. There’s just something about axes that makes every death awful and gory.
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 7 years ago
hahaha I just watched this earlier today! Nobody goes crazy like Jack!
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Miklós Nagy 7 years ago
Indeed there are, but axes are multifunctional and you can possess one legally without bringing too much atent- oh, never mind, my lawyer just told me to shut the f*ck up!
Hendra Lim 7 years ago
well, axes is the best choice for beheading people in execution after all (not that the protagonist want to use it for beheading)
#41
Recovered Footage Cliche
A first few successful attempts managed to captivate the audiences. But as of now, we've seen way too many movies about a recovered scary footage of someone getting murdered or possessed by a demon.
Fiendhunter 7 years ago
Okay, but the REC movie (the one in this screenshot) wasn't presented as "recovered footage from real events". The first-person camera was used as a resource to involve the audience in the action on a deeper level and make it seem more real. It was never meant to be "based on true story" or anything like that. Huh, just felt like pointing that out, REC is actually a good movie.
John Baker 7 years ago
Hopefully it's run its course. "Found footage" is far too often used as a gimmick to excuse bad writing, inept direction and poor acting. Time to put it to bed.
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Anne Rouffignac 7 years ago
Not as such, Cannibal Holocaust came out in 1980
Load More Replies... #42
Killing A Loved One Before They Turn Cliche
With a spike in the popularity of zombie horror movies, some of the old cliches are brought back to our screens. You must be familiar with the tear-jerking scene when a family member or a friend of a protagonist gets bitten by a zombie and is begging to be killed before they turn. While this scene is used to help viewers empathize with the horrible situation of a zombie apocalypse, we’ve seen this happen in so many movies that it has become just too predictable.
Monty Is Fiennes 7 years ago
When Sam dies in I am Legend....bawled my eyes out and I have never been able to watch it again.... :(
Basil 7 years ago
I hate that movie with the white hot fire of a thousand suns. The name doesn't even make sense!!!!!!!!!!! In the novella it has meaning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It blew my frickin' mind as a teenager!!! BUT NONE OF THAT MAKES IT INTO THE MOVIE!!!! AND THE CGI LOOKS HORRIBLE!!!!! THE MOVIE IS PURE GARBAGE AND EVEN IF I LIVE TO BE 100 I WILL BE IN THE NURSING HOME BE SITTING IN MY WHEELCHAIR, DROOLING ON MYSELF, RANTING ABOUT HOW MUCH I HATE THIS MOVIE. /nerd rage over, please carry on as normal.
Load More Replies... Tiu Tau Tilhi 7 years ago
I'd add here the cliche of first promising to kill the loved one before they turn, but then getting too sentimental and NOT killing them when the time would come, and that leading to extra trouble with even more getting hurt or killed..until they eventually need to kill them, or some other badass kills them for you.
#43
The Death Of A Pet Cliche
Scriptwriters often use this old trope to elicit emotion, to the point that it is becoming boring and predictable. Pets usually don’t require as much character development as humans, so it's easier to make viewers feel empathy for a dead pet.
Izeyah Freeman 5 years ago
ur dog comes back to haunt you..."remember that one time i wanted a t bone steak and you ate it right in front of me?"
Basil 7 years ago
We can all hate this trope as much as we want to but it ain't ever going away. Because it will ALWAYS work. Animals don't need character development because people are so good at projecting our own thoughts and emotions onto them. They are perfectly innocent and it's REALLY hard to not be sucked in by that. Much moreso than with child characters, which can elicit a wide range of emotions. Face it, filmmakers know they've got us by the short and curlies when it comes to animals on screen.
#44
Protagonist Is Ghost Cliche
You've definitely seen this one - a very disturbed protagonist is worried that their house is being haunted, then it is revealed that the character is a ghost who is actually haunting somebody else. Quite a few movies are guilty of this cliche plot twist.
Mike 7 years ago
Ghost wasn't a reveal though. It was stated the guy was dead from early on. Same thing for Beetlejuice that Bored Fox mentioned.
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Jaimee Fricklas 7 years ago
I literally only know of one movie where the main character didn’t know he was a ghost... and strangely enough it isn’t Ghost
John Titor 6 years ago
How is that even a cliche? Among the many horror movies I watched there was only one so far that used this trope. Unless you count the freaking Casper movies and series as horror - then, yes, the element of a ghost protagonist is used quite often.
Shana 7 years ago
If it’s a recently released movie, then yeah, talking about that movie should come with a spoiler alert. But come on, Sixth Sense is almost 20 years old.
Load More Replies... Add New Image
What do you think ?
Learyc L Cope 7 years ago
what about the part in almost EVERY SINGLE MOVIE where they yell "Hello" like the killer is going to yell back and say "Yeah I'm in the kitchen, want a sandwich?" I notice that EVERY SINGLE MOVIE.
Jigsaw's Puzzle 4 years ago
If they want a sandwich at least we know why they always carry a knife around
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glowworm2 7 years ago
This is why I love the horror comedy movie "Tucker and Dale vs. Evil." It starts out like any horror movie premise with a bunch of teenagers going camping in the woods who see a pair of creepy looking rednecks. The twist? The movie focuses on the rednecks instead of the teenagers and they are just nice, friendly guys. To the teenagers, however, they're scary and the misunderstandings and deaths that result from this are hilarious.
Andres Tejeda 7 years ago
Love that movie, Them and Cabin in the Woods really subvert these tropes.
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Andres Tejeda 7 years ago
One to add, How bout the science experiment gone wrong cliché, This is pretty much done to death. Like Deep blue sea, The Fly, and many others.
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 7 years ago
That, or their experiment being a vicious animal from outer space... with not enought security
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troufaki13 7 years ago
Also, when the hero corners the bad guy and right before he kills him, the villain has to explain why he is bad and why he did all those terrible things
SykesDaMan 7 years ago (edited)
The monster/Killer/Bad guy is not dead if his death is off-screen (ex: under water, in a house fire, ...)
Person2638 7 years ago
While many of these cliches are overused, a lot of them are actually things that make a horror movie good or mimick real life. No matter where I was, be it a secluded cabin in the woods or a busy mall, I will scream when I see a scary serial killer trying to murder me.
Just Curious 7 years ago
Given the fact that all of these cliches have been documented about a trillion times before, doesn’t that make this article a bit of a cliche?
Kenny Kulbiski 7 years ago
You left out one. It's the closing credits and you see a glimpse of the dead whatever stirring.
Brandon Collinsworth 7 years ago
Why you got to hate on horror movies, this is the one time of year I can unapologetically enjoy them. And hey every movie genre has its clichés. I hate comedies but I ain't gonna put together a whole post about all the clichés in comedies and tell you that makes comedies bad and unoriginal.
r3dd3v1lL 7 years ago
Because most horror movies are really, really silly. And almost never scary- disgusting/ revolting- yes, scary- not so much.
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Learyc L Cope 7 years ago
what about the part in almost EVERY SINGLE MOVIE where they yell "Hello" like the killer is going to yell back and say "Yeah I'm in the kitchen, want a sandwich?" I notice that EVERY SINGLE MOVIE.
Jigsaw's Puzzle 4 years ago
If they want a sandwich at least we know why they always carry a knife around
Load More Replies... glowworm2 7 years ago
This is why I love the horror comedy movie "Tucker and Dale vs. Evil." It starts out like any horror movie premise with a bunch of teenagers going camping in the woods who see a pair of creepy looking rednecks. The twist? The movie focuses on the rednecks instead of the teenagers and they are just nice, friendly guys. To the teenagers, however, they're scary and the misunderstandings and deaths that result from this are hilarious.
Andres Tejeda 7 years ago
Love that movie, Them and Cabin in the Woods really subvert these tropes.
Load More Replies... Andres Tejeda 7 years ago
One to add, How bout the science experiment gone wrong cliché, This is pretty much done to death. Like Deep blue sea, The Fly, and many others.
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 7 years ago
That, or their experiment being a vicious animal from outer space... with not enought security
Load More Replies... troufaki13 7 years ago
Also, when the hero corners the bad guy and right before he kills him, the villain has to explain why he is bad and why he did all those terrible things
SykesDaMan 7 years ago (edited)
The monster/Killer/Bad guy is not dead if his death is off-screen (ex: under water, in a house fire, ...)
Person2638 7 years ago
While many of these cliches are overused, a lot of them are actually things that make a horror movie good or mimick real life. No matter where I was, be it a secluded cabin in the woods or a busy mall, I will scream when I see a scary serial killer trying to murder me.
Just Curious 7 years ago
Given the fact that all of these cliches have been documented about a trillion times before, doesn’t that make this article a bit of a cliche?
Kenny Kulbiski 7 years ago
You left out one. It's the closing credits and you see a glimpse of the dead whatever stirring.
Brandon Collinsworth 7 years ago
Why you got to hate on horror movies, this is the one time of year I can unapologetically enjoy them. And hey every movie genre has its clichés. I hate comedies but I ain't gonna put together a whole post about all the clichés in comedies and tell you that makes comedies bad and unoriginal.
r3dd3v1lL 7 years ago
Because most horror movies are really, really silly. And almost never scary- disgusting/ revolting- yes, scary- not so much.
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