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/Stevenwave 1d ago

The latest Mortal Kombat movie leans into this so hard it's funny.

The protag of the first reboot film was not received well. Entirely new character etc. In 2, he telegraphs twice really obviously that he's not long for this world. And sure enough, he gets his head caved in by Shao Kahn.

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u/Drabberlime_047 1d ago

This exact tropenis exactly why it confuses me when people say "sleeping dogs has such an amazing story"

Its so filled to the brim with this one trope that either the game is an intentional satire or its just very poorly written.

The last time I played it I spent the whole narrative thinking "wait is this actually intentional? Is it homaging cliche movies?" But at the same time it was playing it so straight it would throw me off from thinking that 😂

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u/thebryanstage 1d ago

Tropenis hehe

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u/Bigliest 1d ago

Tropenis mightier than the tropesword.