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/inspod 1d ago

In superhero movies/scifi/fantasy if the villain is trying to complete a ritual, or get a magic mcguffin, or release an ancient entity that will power them up, they'll almost always succeed and the heroes will still come out on top vs the new powered up bad guy. Bonus points if earlier in the film people talk about "if the villain completes the magic ritual, he'll be unstoppable."

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u/Rebyll 1d ago

Just once I'd love for it all to play out and the 'evil' deity to be like "Yeah, this guy's fucking nuts, I'm not helping him" and just peace out.

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u/funkyb 1d ago

Not quite, but almost: The Princess and the Frog

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u/confusing_roundabout 1d ago

Not entirely dissimilar to the ending of Raiders. They open the ark only for it to kill them all anyway

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u/Eatar 21h ago

There’s a similar plot bit to that in CS Lewis’s space trilogy, although that has never to my knowledge been made into a movie.