Many recent horror films feature characters in normal situations that quickly become creepy. Friends party in Bodies Bodies Bodies and are shocked when one of them is murdered, and a woman tries to stay at a rental in Barbarian that has an eerie history. But other times, horror fans joke about what characters should and shouldn't do, as the poor choices are obvious. It's never a good idea to run upstairs because that's where the killer usually is, and going into a dark forest or abandoned house tends to spell death and disaster. While it's possible to joke about how scary movies teach people to avoid monsters, ghosts, and slasher villains, there are some real-life lessons to be found in these films.
Although some lessons found in horror movies can seem silly and obvious, Redditors shared some helpful tips that they have thought carefully about after watching several scary movies.
Updated on October 12th, 2022 by Aya Tsintziras: While horror movies are thrilling and entertaining, there are also some smart lessons that audiences can pick up on. Characters realize their strength and power while navigating eerie situations and this is true whether they are running from a killer or creeped out by a ghost. When thinking about some favorite horror movies, Redditors have noticed life lessons that have stood out to them.
Care About Other People Like Sidney In Scream
Some horror movie main characters are ditzy, but others are wise, able to see through fake people, and will stop at nothing to get what they want, which is usually to survive and make it to the end of the film.
Ghostface215 wrote that Sidney Prescott in Scream teaches fans the lesson of "staying caring and compassionate despite being through more than the average person." Whether Sidney is fighting Ghostface or sharing smaller moments with Gale, Dewey, and Tatum, she always wants to be there for her friends.
Be Grateful To Avoid Jigsaw's Wrath
Jonah_Cade said that there's a life lesson from the Saw franchise: "Don't take your life for granted." The fan noted that Jigsaw says in one scene, "Most people are so ungrateful to be alive, but not you..."
Even though this is a disturbing slasher franchise, with some of the goriest deaths imaginable, it's true that this is a piece of life advice that audiences can apply to their lives. Anyone watching will definitely feel grateful not to be in these awful situations.
Friends Should Help Each Other Like The Losers Club In It
There are many close-knit friend groups in horror movies, especially when the story is about teenagers fighting a serial killer or villain. LibraryGhoul posted that "in every slasher film you need to stick with your friends," which is a great lesson. LouisTully900 said that It: Chapter Two has a "heartfelt message about the true value of friendship."
There are definitely many pieces of advice about how important friendship is in several horror movies, as characters band together to defeat a common enemy and reach their goal of survival.
Process Grief And Other Emotions Like The Characters In The Babadook
The Babadook tells a sad story about Amelia, a widowed mother whose husband, Oskar, died in a car crash. Now Amelia is raising Samuel and their lives change when they find a book called Mister Babadook about a frightening monster who begins haunting them.
One Redditor said that movie tells a lesson about grief, namely that people "should face it and learn to live with it and that will ultimately help us move on." The Babadook has a scary monster movie character that fans have never forgotten, but hopefully the message stuck too.
People Should Listen To Their Gut Instincts Like Laurie In Halloween
There are many examples in the horror genre of main characters who have been in a creepy situation or place without thinking too much about it. In most of these cases, characters should rely on their own perception and self-awareness more often.
One Redditor said, "Horror movies in general taught me to listen to my gut because it's rarely wrong." Laurie Strode in the Halloween franchise is a good example of a character who can tell that something is wrong and that she has to spring into action.
Christine Brown's Selfishness In Drag Me To Hell Is A Bad Personality Trait
One Redditor posted that there's a smart life lesson in Drag Me To Hell: "Don't be selfish/greedy."
As loan officer Christine Brown gets caught up in a client who puts a curse on her, she knows that she is doomed. While this is a very intense story and might be an extreme and scary example, it's true that audiences can take the lesson to heart that being selfish is a bad idea.
Think More Critically Like Nancy In A Nightmare On Elm Street
When fans observe the smartest horror movie main characters, they often look around at the situation that they find themselves in and use some critical thinking skills. This helps these characters stand out since others deny that there's a threat or danger.
Spartaren said that horror movies can teach audiences that "Things aren't always what they seem" and people should "Think about your decisions."
Be Aware Of Your Surroundings, Unlike Michelle In Urban Legends
There are many moments in horror movies when audiences want to yell at the screen and tell characters to look behind them or be more discerning about where they are. Newhorizonskyline wrote that fans can learn an important life lesson from these films: "Always be aware of your surroundings."
In the opening scene of Urban Legend, for example, a character gets into their car without looking into the backseat first and a killer murders them, which is based on the classic scary story that everyone has heard.
Keep Your Phone Charged Like Chris In Get Out
While it's possible to joke about how characters always have dead cell phone batteries, and this is generally considered to be one of the worst horror movie tropes, this is necessary so characters are helpless in the face of a killer.
There is actually some smart advice here, though. WardnessoftheNorth2 said that horror movies show audiences to "Keep your phone charged." It's true that it's useful to have a full cell phone battery when leaving the house.
Keep Calm Like Erin In You're Next
1515jpeg wrote that in most horror movies, it seems like the best advice is that characters should always "stay calm."
This is a great life lesson, even though horror fans don't ever find themselves in the same eerie life-or-death scenarios that their favorite movie characters do. There are so many situations when trying to stay calm, rational, and try to figure out a smart solution will be the best idea.
Always Have A Map, Unlike The Couples In Wrong Turn
Yooadrian wrote that "Wrong Turn teaches you to always bring a map." This horror franchise, which started with the first film in 2003, sees three couples excited to hike the Appalachian Trail. They don't know where they're going and forge ahead, which is a terrible idea given they soon run into some terrifying villains.
While it feels inevitable that the characters happen upon Three Finger, Saw Tooth, and One Eye, perhaps this could have been avoided if they had a map on them and could follow directions instead of just wandering around.
Don't Investigate Weird Stuff Like Darry In Jeepers Creepers
Horror movie characters often come across an old house that is falling apart, or their car breaks down and they decide to leave their safe vehicle and walk around just to see what's going on. One Redditor said that watching scary films has shown them "Don’t investigate weird stuff, leave it alone and/or run away as fast as possible."
The first Jeepers Creepers film is a good example of characters who should go home quickly but who hang around a chilling area instead. Trish Jenner wants to keep driving, but her brother Darry believes he can help someone who might not be dead. Unfortunately for Darry, he should have been more cautious.