Have you ever heard strange noises in the dark? Seen a dusty old VHS tape in silence? Received a call from an unlisted number that left you uneasy? Felt an eerie presence around you? If your answer is yes, then rest assured that you are playing the main role in a horror movie. However, don’t worry too much; we’ll provide you with a list of what you should and shouldn’t do to help you survive until… the credits roll right after this.
1. Always Bring a Camera
In this day and age, if you’re in a situation where you need to document something but don’t have a camera on hand, it’s like asking for trouble… it’s never a good sign. However, in horror movies, the footage often turns into “found footage” (like documentary films discovered later) only when the person filming is still alive and actively recording!
In many horror films, the killer is often “surprisingly alive” when we consistently search for ways to appear in the scenes where the characters are filming. The sounds created usually come from behind, making you scream before jumping out of your seat… or cutting off your own head. If you happen to review a selfie you just took, you might see the shadow of a killer lurking behind you or a “big shadow” right behind you. Even scarier is when the camera belongs to you, and inside is the scene capturing the horror of being dragged into the darkness…
So, the next time you venture into the woods or explore a dark cave, it’s best to bring a camera.
2. Pay Attention to Warnings
Usually, before stepping into the “horror” part, you’ll notice a few warning signs about the terrifying things that are about to occur. And it’s not uncommon for these signs to be subtle or hard to notice, yet they are very clear, like a sudden breeze or a shadow indicating a death, news about a serial killer near your area, or someone looking pale and sweaty, saying something like: “The place where you’re going is where everyone dies.” However, it’s not always clear why certain characters get so caught up in these warnings, and ultimately, one or two people manage to survive while wearing blood-stained clothes!
The best approach is to stay alert, take note of the warnings, and avoid those places whenever possible.
3. Avoid Touching Strange Objects
Human beings are naturally curious creatures; our nature leads us to experiment with everything around us, checking whether something is edible, smells good, or could be used as a… “sex toy.” Therefore, the first thing we should do when we encounter a mysterious object is to think about what it could be—like a cursed doll with a weird grin or a strange Chinese box, or even a book with the title “OPEN ME,” which could raise alarm bells.
However, this doesn’t have to be a good idea.
In many horror films, we often see characters getting too close to cursed objects within a 3-meter radius, and they only go back to warn others to escape. So, if you accidentally touch a strange object, at least do it when it’s light outside, with people around, not in a basement. If you’re outside, it’s best to leave it be.
4. Keep Pets – But Get a Different One
In horror movies or even action films, pets and animals usually don’t survive until the end. The “victims” are often the first to go, but in this horror universe, cats, dogs, rats, and any cute animals can create terrifying sounds that can lead to intense jump scares.
If your pet suddenly starts making weird noises like howling or barking from a dark corner of the house, it’s a bad sign that you can’t ignore. If you’re investigating a sound in your home, it’s recommended to switch on the TV and search for animal shelters nearby.
5. Turn on the Lights
Of course, the monsters cannot be scared off by a little light, but if you encounter a killer or a supernatural entity, it still has some effect. Look around and see if you can utilize anything in your surroundings to protect yourself. You should cover yourself with a blanket if it feels like there’s something lurking in the dark to prevent any attacks. Then, grab any weapon you can find—like a knife, a sharp object, a table leg, or even food that could be used as a makeshift weapon. Anything you can throw, swing, or stab at would work. And once you’re armed, keep your guard up; you never know what else might be lurking.
6. Avoid Talking About the Supernatural
If you’re lucky, before stepping into a “creepy” territory, you might encounter a stranger who seems to know about the cursed area. This could be a pale old lady with a deep voice or an old man with a strange warning about an abandoned house. It’s essential to understand that these people often know more than they let on and can be warning you about what lies ahead. So, it’s best to heed their advice and avoid making jokes about it.
7. Prepare and Equip Yourself
There’s no way you can avoid the supernatural if you’re unprepared. Identify what you can use to protect yourself, whether it’s a weapon, a sharp object, or something that can be handy for self-defense. Any item you can grab will do. When you’re prepared, you’ll be more likely to survive.
8. Split Up
“Why don’t we split up to find the car keys to get out of here faster?” This idiotic line is often uttered by the dumbest character in the film and is likely to be the first to die. However, your job is to prevent your group from acting on this suggestion. Even if you find something, it’s best to stay together and communicate with each other. The more you separate, the more you risk someone getting lost or worse.
9. Run
After encountering a few horrifying moments where characters have to confront their fears, this is the time when the main character must face the killer/monster/ghost. The situation has reached a critical point, and it’s best to run as far and as fast as you can, avoiding all obstacles in your path. The faster you run, the better your chances of survival. And if you get caught, it might be too late.
10. Keep Moving Until You’re Sure They’re Dead
Congratulations! By some miracle, you have survived the encounter with the killer/monster/ghost. However, don’t think you can relax just yet. You might still be in danger, so keep your guard up. The most crucial thing is to ensure that the threat is truly gone before letting your guard down.
11. Be the Final Girl
There’s a high chance that the final girl is the one who causes the most chaos from the beginning, including dragging a few others with her to the end. By the end, you’ll realize that you are the one who has the potential to survive the encounter with the killer/ghost/monster, because you are meant to be the final girl, destined to win no matter the situation.
Conclusion
If you follow all these tips, your chances of survival will significantly increase. Good luck, as you may have survived this horror movie, but you might just find yourself in a sequel next.
According to Denofgeek