10 Annoying Movie Tropes That Can Ruin A Horror Movie

This one sort of applies to action films, too, where movie characters don’t seem to have much respect for weaponry on screen. Once Chow Yun-fat’s dual pistols run empty, he tosses them away like disposable cigarette lighters. At least he follows it up with a slow-motion roll and grabs the AK-47 on his way up to continue spraying. In horror films, not so much.

Once the antagonist has been dealt with (well… supposedly dealt with), or the situation calms down for a moment, main characters are always quick to drop the gun, the wrench, the bat - whatever they’re holding - unless it’s a mobile phone with no signal.

Are weapons only good for one or two uses? It seems silly. In a real-life dangerous situation, you’d likely have that weapon super-glued to your hand. Even an empty gun can be turned into a hammer if needed. So, when characters drop their weapons, it feels groan-worthy - a nonsensical plot hole designed to make them vulnerable again, just to put them in peril moments later, instead of letting them be a worthy opponent when Leatherface pops back into frame.

Maybe it’s better than guns jamming at opportune times, but not really.