1. Cheap jump scares that get us every time

 

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Horror films are full of high-suspense moments that make us want to scream. These moments are usually built on silence. Some fans dislike jump scares, while others fall for it every time.

Some horror movies have a tendency to overdo the jump scare, but if done right they can carry the plot for some films. 

Some of the best jump scares exist in films such as Psycho, Carrie, It and Friday the 13th. Do you fall for the jump scare?

2. The Final Girl Trope

 

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The Final Girl trope usually happens in slasher films such as Halloween or A Nightmare on Elm Street. The trope features a female protagonist who is the last living character in the film. The trope usually has a character that will go up against the killer and always wins or gets away.

How many other films have you noticed this classic horror movie trope in?

3. The "don't go in there!"

 

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We've all been there. Many people know that feeling of wanting to yell "Don't go in there!" as the main character reaches for a door that the killer is obviously behind. You'd think by now we would have all learned, if you hear a life-threatening noise, don't go towards that life-threating noise.

This trope is best demonstrated in Alfred Hitchcock's, The Birds. 

If you ever find yourself in the position of this classic trope...seriously don't go in there!

4. The creepy basement

 

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There's always a creepy basement isn't there? Basements in horror movies are generally overused, but occasionally a creepy basement will give us the ultimate scare.

This trope can be seen in horror movies such as The Conjuring and The Exorcist. How many creepy basements can you name?

5. Failing technology

 

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The phone with no service, the flashlight that dies in a dark place and the keys that don't seem to work just as the character has an opportunity to escape are all examples of this classic trope. 

This trope is commonly used as a way to extend the story and heighten the tension.

Always remember to charge your phone before going one-on-one with a man in a mask!

6. Science gone wrong

 

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Something has gone horribly wrong! This trope can be seen in films such as Frankenstein, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Outbreak and more.

These science mishaps lead to irreversible damage with monsters coming to life, aliens escaping and experiments gone wrong. These films either show the destruction before the sience or pick up after the experiment has already failed. Either way, science seems terrifying according to these horror films.

7. The classic run and fall

 

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A character is running for their life through a dark wooded area when all of a sudden they fall, right as the killer reaches them. What an inconvenient time to trip! This trope is a great trick for building suspense.

You can see this trope in films such as Friday the 13th and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. How many classic falls do you remember?

8. The one friend that does nothing

 

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We all know this friend! There seems to be one friend in most horror films that either panics and falls victim, does nothing to help the situation or makes multiple wrong moves.

This trope can mainly be seen in slasher films. Hopefully no one has a friend like this, and if you do try not to get stuck with them in a horror movie situation!

9. The killer isn't actually dead

 

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There is no better movie to describe this trope than the Halloween franchise. Just when you think the main character saves the day, there are 13 more films featuring the killer. 

This is a common trope that allows films in a franchise to keep being made. Just remember, usually the killer or monster is still out there. Be careful this Halloween.