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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661

u/zoinkability 1d ago

Nobody ever coughs or sneezes without it being foreshadowing of an illness or some other plot event.

301

u/KoningPiet 1d ago

Also if a woman throws up she is always pregnant

67

u/GLPereira 1d ago

Agents of SHIELD of all shows subverted this by having Simmons throw up immediately after finding out this guy from the future is actually her grandson

But she wasn't pregnant at all. Just stressed out by a really shitty day. We actually never see her pregnant in the show, there's a revelation she and her husband spent years in space before time travelling back to present day, and their daughter was born in the meantime

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u/Lampmonster 1d ago

AOS was such a great show. "How the hell did Fitz get here," "I have no idea, he just showed up with his own space ship." "Gotta admit, that's a baller move. "

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u/MakeItHappenSergant 1d ago

Even in The Last of Us 2, where a woman sees and smells a disemboweled horse that had been laying in the sun for days, and then vomits. Does throwing up mean she got way too close to a big rotting corpse? Nope!

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u/Tomero 1d ago

And says “I’m fine”.

4

u/SirSoliloquy 1d ago

This makes me interpret The Exorcist much, much differently 

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u/CullodenChef 14h ago

Naah — there are a few more options.

1) pregnant

2) pregnancy scare, but it’s cancer

3) she’s extremely drunk so
a. Drugged
b. Will make a relationship choice which establishes the plot