Horror Movie Clichés that Need to Die

Horror, as a genre, allows for an immense amount of creativity. The possibilities with the supernatural are only restricted by the limitations of imagination and means of inducing fear and pain range from psychological to physical torture. However, unfortunately, instead of displaying ingenuity, a large number of horror movies use repetitive elements. The following are just a few examples. 

COMMUTING AND COMMUNICATION MEANS DON'T EXIST

One truth about transportation (especially cars) in horror movies – vehicles will start acting up whenever needed the most, such as when a crazy killer is running directly at the person trying to escape from what could potentially be death. Furthermore, it's not just the vehicles that mysteriously refuse to function at a moment of dire need. There is at least one thing that serial killers and supernatural evil have in common: both initially cause the location of attack to have no phone reception.

OBLIVIOUS AND INCOMPETENT ADULTS 

Just like useless cars, the adult figures in a horror movie are almost never going to take the initiative to help the situation. Whenever someone goes up to an adult and hyperventilates the words "Someone/thing is trying to kill me!" the reply is most often a casual "Are you sure?" (perhaps with just a hint of concern). Even if there is, miraculously, an adult who is willing to believe in the incredulous circumstances, most of the times they still find themselves unable to provide much help. 

JUMP SCARES

Jump scares are the superlative equivalent of a friend sneaking up behind you and screaming "BOO!" in your ears. While that might surprise you, it definitely wouldn't horrify you. These scares are staple to nearly every horror movie, even in some of the better ones. While they might be effective to a certain degree, it's been so overdone which makes it almost predictable and very underwhelming. Since it always starts off with eerie music followed by a loud explosion to startle the audience, the element of surprise disappears.

DREAM SEQUENCES 

Imagine watching a great narrative unfold with all the perfect hints that you were looking for in the movie to satisfy the theories you made at the beginning only to have it yanked away as a dream. "It was just a dream" has to be one of the most frustrating answers to a plotline.  

THE VILLAIN NEVER REALLY DIES

Towards the end of the movie, just when it looks like the danger has passed and all the issues have been resolved, there is almost unfailingly going to be a single shot of the source of evil, manic killer or otherwise, which is going to clearly show that whatever it may be is not over. Thus, indicating if the movie becomes a success (or even not these days), there will be a sequel, a sequel to the sequel and maybe even a prequel thrown in between with an origin story in the pipeline. 

With a keen eye and a broken brain to mouth filter, Mahejabeen Hossain Nidhi has a habit of throwing obscure insults from classic novels at random people who may or may not have done anything to warrant them. Drop her a line at mahejabeen.nidhi@gmail.com