MovieChat Forums > Riddle (2013) Discussion > Oh no, not the deer-in-the-road plot dev...

Oh no, not the deer-in-the-road plot device again!


I visualize all the Hollywood plot devices used in horror movies to generate fear and terror, so often, that it goes beyond cliqued.

True, RIDDLE is a mystery thriller, but mystery movies often rely on similar atmospheric elements of suspense, fear, and terror, not unlike horror movies.

The deer-in-the-road causing an accident is one of the most common plot devices to strand an intended victim. America's deer are the most fearsomely diabolical since they like to stand in rural backroads and cause accidents.

Other long-used Hollywood horror and mystery movie fear devices.

1) CELLPHONE
a) Is always out of cell-phone range coverage for horror movie intended victims.
b) Always rings when a horror movie victim is trying to hide from a crazed seriel killer or monster. The caller is always either a, 1) law enforcement officer 2) victim's parent 3) victim's friend.

2) FLASHLIGHT
a) Flashlights in movies are always extremely fragile and break easily when dropped, especially the lens, despite the fact almost all modern flashlights use polycarbonate lenses.
b) The horror movie victim always drops his/her flashlight at the wrong time and it breaks, leaving the victim in darkness and more vulnerable.
c) The batteries always give out when the victim is in a precarious position.

3) TOYS
a) The classical toys are the best for horror suspense movies.
b) The mechanical monkey is the most famous. It starts banging its cymbals to scare the wits out of nosy teenagers or young people poking around haunted houses.

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