By Michael Cusumano
Scene: Explaining The Rules
Every movie with a supernatural horror needs the 'rules' scene. The one where we lay out for the hero exactly what it is they’re up against and why they are in deep, deep trouble. These scenes require the film to strike a tricky balance. You want enough info so we can get a firm grasp on the dynamic, without getting bogged down in minutiae. Share the tape in seven days or die. Got it! Too much and you end up like the heroes of Inception, shouting explanations at each other well into the film’s second hour. Not enough and the threat ends up too vague to be scary. Pennywise the Clown can do anything at any time, and kill kids sometimes but not others based on nothing. Whatever.
The best modern example of this scene, the one that hits the balance exactly right,...
Scene: Explaining The Rules
Every movie with a supernatural horror needs the 'rules' scene. The one where we lay out for the hero exactly what it is they’re up against and why they are in deep, deep trouble. These scenes require the film to strike a tricky balance. You want enough info so we can get a firm grasp on the dynamic, without getting bogged down in minutiae. Share the tape in seven days or die. Got it! Too much and you end up like the heroes of Inception, shouting explanations at each other well into the film’s second hour. Not enough and the threat ends up too vague to be scary. Pennywise the Clown can do anything at any time, and kill kids sometimes but not others based on nothing. Whatever.
The best modern example of this scene, the one that hits the balance exactly right,...
- 7/1/2020
- by Michael C.
- FilmExperience
Similar News
10 Horror Movies So Terrifying Even Natural Light Won't Make the Watch Easier
- 5/11/2024
- by dean-black@startefacts.com (Dean Black)
- STartefacts.com
Tatiana Maslany & Rossif Sutherland To Star In ‘Keeper’, The Next Film From ‘Longlegs’ Director Osgood Perkins; Neon Pre-Buys U.S. Rights & Will Launch Int’l Sales At Cannes
- 5/9/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Reddit Picks a Flick With 93% Tomatometer as 2022’s Best Horror, And You Still Haven’t Seen It
- 5/6/2024
- by zoe-wallace@startefacts.com (Zoe Wallace)
- STartefacts.com
The Simpsons Considered Two Separate Krusty Spinoffs – But We Got The Critic Instead
- 5/11/2024
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
Hollywood’s 20 Tallest Male Actors and Celebrities: Who’s the Tallest of Them All?
- 5/7/2024
- by Hanna Callora
- Your Next Shoes
Top Five Moments Of The Boy Kills World Trailer
- 4/30/2024
- by Jeffrey Bowie Jr.
- TVovermind.com
Glen Powell Eyed to Star in J.J. Abrams’ Next Movie
- 5/9/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Neon Hires Joey Monteiro As EVP Of International Marketing
- 5/1/2024
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Chris Coy Joins Netflix Limited Series ‘Black Rabbit,’ David Robert Mitchell’s ‘Flowervale Street’
- 4/30/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Swings to $72 Million at Overseas Box Office, Mighty $129 Million Globally
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
BAFTA TV Awards: ‘Top Boy,’ ‘Happy Valley’ Win Two Each as ‘The Crown,’ ‘Black Mirror’ Miss Out
- 5/12/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Roger Corman, Pioneering Independent Producer and King of B Movies, Dies at 98
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - TV News
John Oliver Hoped Finland’s Partially Nude Windows95man (and His Giant Denim Egg) Had Won Eurovision
- 5/13/2024
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
China Box Office: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Opens on Top of Weekend Chart
- 5/13/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
Aida Rodriguez: Unpacking My Childhood Traumas Through Comedy Is Cathartic
- 5/6/2024
- by Aida Rodriguez
- Popsugar.com
How Erik Rivera Uses Comedy to Heal and Help Others
- 5/6/2024
- by Miguel Machado
- Popsugar.com
Ian Lara: Comedy Gave Me the Strength to Overcome My Mother's Death
- 5/6/2024
- by Ian Lara
- Popsugar.com
Sasha Merci: How Comedy Has Helped Me Navigate Depression
- 5/6/2024
- by Sasha Merci
- Popsugar.com
Gina Brillon: The Loss of My Grandmother Pushed Me to Pursue Comedy
- 5/6/2024
- by Gina Brillon
- Popsugar.com
Walton Goggins Found Transforming Into the Ghoul in ‘Fallout’ Challenging: ‘It Was Extremely Uncomfortable’
- 5/13/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Why DeAnne Smith Featured Their Ex-Boobs in Hannah Gadsby’s Latest Netflix Special
- 5/12/2024
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
Screenwriting Couple Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver Offer Advice on Breaking into Industry: ‘Try to Make the Stories as Personal as Possible’
- 5/12/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Amy Poehler Wants ‘Inside Out’ Series to Be Like Michael Apted’s ‘Up’ Saga, Show Character Riley as ‘a Young Adult, and a Young Mother’
- 5/12/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Justin Lin Believes Cultural Labels Can Hurt Careers: ‘I Do Think There Are Restrictions’
- 5/12/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Swings to $72 Million at Overseas Box Office, Mighty $129 Million Globally
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Roger Corman, Pioneering Independent Producer and King of B Movies, Dies at 98
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - TV News
Walton Goggins Found Transforming Into the Ghoul in ‘Fallout’ Challenging: ‘It Was Extremely Uncomfortable’
- 5/13/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Dogwoof boards Oliver Stone’s Cannes documentary ‘Lula’ (exclusive)
- 5/13/2024
- ScreenDaily
Ospina Cali Colombia review – giant of Latin American activist cinema explains himself
- 5/13/2024
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
BAFTA TV Awards: ‘Top Boy,’ ‘Happy Valley’ Win Two Each as ‘The Crown,’ ‘Black Mirror’ Miss Out
- 5/12/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Skip Intro Podcast
- 5/13/2024
- by Podcast Staff
- Tudum - Netflix
‘Interview With the Vampire’ Stars Break Down ‘Me & You’ Scene From Premiere (Video)
- 5/13/2024
- TV Insider
‘American Idol’ Top 3 Revealed on Disney Night: Do You Agree With Voters? (Recap)
- 5/13/2024
- TV Insider
Explaining the ‘Interview With the Vampire’ Season 2 Premiere — And That Creepy New Monster
- 5/13/2024
- TV Insider