1. Falling Down While Running Away… And Not Getting Up
The most nonsensical and irritating horror movie trope is something that happens in almost every slasher movie ever made. When the killer is toying with the victim (and maybe chasing them up the stairs), the innocent protagonist almost always trips and falls, then usually lays helpless on the ground as the killer advances. The panic on their face builds suspense and more than a little fear, but it’s all too easy to forget how ridiculous this really is.
As anyone who has ever fallen over will know, it does occasionally hurt. Still, it rarely hurts bad enough to stop you from getting back to your feet, especially when adrenaline is coursing through your veins. With an axe-/knife-/gun-wielding killer on your heels, there’s simply no way that a quick trip to the ground would be enough to make you give up on running.
Again, this one clearly just exists to build dramatic tension. Knowing that the killer is closing in on the defenseless victim makes for a scary screen moment, but the absolute lack of any real intelligence in the writing of this particular trope is unforgivable. If you were ever unlucky enough to find yourself being chased and then fall over, remember this trope. Then, quickly get up and keep running.
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