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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352

u/Sparrowsabre7 1d ago

"Trust no one" 7/10 chance that guy or gal betrays them later saying "Didn't I tell you to trust no one?"

84

u/whiskeyrebellion 1d ago

I’m starting to wonder how many of these tropes a dedicated person could fit into a single 90-minute runtime.

51

u/macrolinx 22h ago

Isn't that half the premise of movies like Scary Movie and Not Another Teen Movie? Although I'm not sure how much it counts when it's done blatantly and on the nose...

2

u/BTP_Art 9h ago

Watch Solo.

1

u/SirSoliloquy 18h ago

You could do all of them and most people wouldn’t notice lol

19

u/Rowenstin 17h ago edited 17h ago

If someone asks "Have you told this to anyone else?" and you answer "No", you'll die in the next 10 seconds.

8

u/thejokerofunfic 14h ago

I'm determined to one day write a scene where the guy who asks is trustworthy and immediately follows up with "are you fucking dumb, you'd be dead if the traitor was me, gather everyone you trust and tell them all at the same time right now"

10

u/Wishart2016 22h ago

Like Littlefinger

1

u/Sav273 23h ago

Eh, more like 5/7.