10 of the most basic tropes you’re bound to see in your favorite horror films

1. The creepy drawing from a kid

• Notable References:
  • Annabelle
  • Orphan
  • The Ring
  • Children of The Corn

2. The inevitable bathroom scene

•  Notable references:
  • A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
  • Slither
  • What Lies Beneath
  • Candyman

3. The wise hermit that knows everything

• Notable References:
  • Jezelle – Jeepers Creepers
  • Missy Egan – I Know What You Did Last Summer
  • Estes – I Still Know What You Did Last Summer
  • Sam Loomis – The Halloween franchise
  • Professor Jonas – Sinister
  • Bill Bludworth – Final Destination

4. The worst cops of all time

• Notable References:
  • Get Out
  • I Know What You Did Last Summer
  • Scream

5. The last tryst before death

• Notable References:
  • It Follows (the entire movie)
  • Jennifer’s Body
  • The Cabin in The Woods
  • Halloween (1978)

6. Eating shit when being chased

• Notable References:
  • Leprechaun
  • Scream
  • Prom Night (1980)

7. Tits…for no particular reason at all

• Notable References:
  • (90% of all horror movies)

8. An old book with details on the origin of the evil

• Notable References:
  • Evil Dead
  • The Babadook
  • The Amityville Horror (2005)

9. If you’re a 90’s/Early 2000’s teen slasher, then a scremo rock movie trailer narrated by Redd Pepper is a must

• Notable References:
  • Swimfan – Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-RGVruG7Y0
  • Jeepers Creepers – Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akFUWf5xe6k
  • Halloween H20: 20 Years Later – Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEEZCo8WS4k
  • Urban Legend – Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4d1_D90BwU

10. The infamous battle cry

• Notable References:
  • What are you waiting for huh?! What are you waiting forrrrrr?!?!?!!?!?! – I Know What You Did Last Summer
  • “He’s big and he plays football and he’ll kick the shit out of you!” – Scream
  • “The power of Christ compels you!” – The Exorcist