10 More Movie Reveals You Can Spot Early If You Really Look

9. Parcher Isn't Real - A Beautiful Mind

RIPD movie
Universal

The Reveal

United States Department of Defense agent William Parcher (Ed Harris) doesn't exist, but is in fact a figment of John Nash's (Russell Crowe) imagination as he struggles with schizophrenia.

How To Spot It Early

At the 32-minute mark, Nash leaves the MIT building, and director Ron Howard seemingly makes a point to linger on the fact that the building's door takes around eight seconds to slowly close on its own.

The camera then moves away from the door just as Parcher, who is out of shot, shouts to John.

But when we pan back to the door frame where Parcher is now standing, the door has closed just three seconds after the camera moved away from the door, which would be impossible.

Furthermore, if you listen closely, Parcher actually shouts Nash's name while the camera is still moving away from the doors initially, which again would be physically impossible without Parcher having powers of teleportation.

These tricks are unconscious enough to be easily missed, but if you do notice them, they immediately tell you something is majorly off with Harris' character.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.