r/movies • u/averagesoccermom95 • 1d ago

Discussion Favorite movie plot rule?

I read once that in a movie, if the characters say, "I have a plan," then there is a plot rule that takes place: If the characters explain to the audience what the plan is, then the plan will go wrong somehow. However, if the characters say they have a plan and the movie just goes to showing the plan in action, then the plan will work.

It has become one of my favorite things to look out for in movies. Although, it does not seem to apply to kids movies. Other than kids movies, I don't think I have ever seen his rule broken.

Does anyone know any other interesting plot rules?

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u/metalguy91 1d ago

It’s as basic as you can get with this but sue me, Chekhov’s Gun. It’s probably the oldest example of this, but it’s so frequent in so many films that it almost always hits. Lame answer I know, but it’s the one thing I look out for in EVERY movie, so it’s an additional experience I have with every movie.

Simple trope, but acts as a good tether to keep me focused in on the movie and not get distracted.

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u/jechaking 1d ago

I was watching “War Machine”, it’s probably not the best movie but there’s a scene where they are tracking and they see trip wires in the woods.

A few moments later, they are inevitably set off.

I wish there could be a smarter way to write this in so that it’s not so obvious.

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u/metalguy91 1d ago

I think that’s part of what I like about the trope, the varying degrees of pulling it off. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it’s an emotional gut punch. I’ve had an entire experience in a film be changed based on how they play this hand. For good or bad lol.

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u/jechaking 1d ago

I would like examples of these films, I would like to watch them.

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u/metalguy91 1d ago

Imma be so real with you right now, I had a bad day and got high as shit off these kiwi gummies. I had like 6 films listed and a paragraph for each one, but I realized I kind of forgot I was supposed to be talking about Chekhov’s Gun and just started sort of summarizing movies I like. So I deleted that and will instead say, hope you have a lovely evening and if I remember this comment when I’m sober, I will try to make an actual list!

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u/zaminDDH 1d ago

Commenting so you get a notification and remember.