10 Most Terrifying Horror Movie Curses
9. It Follows - The Sexually-Transmitted Curse
This film is infamous for its memorable take on the curse idea, introducing the world to the concept of the ‘STC’: the sexually transmitted curse.
After our protagonist, Jay, sleeps with the guy she’s dating for the first time, he reveals that he has passed on a curse to her that will stay with her until she forwards it on to the next person, again by sleeping with them.
He explains that the curse will appear in the form of a person pursuing her, that it can take on any human appearance and is only visible to people who have been infected with the curse.
Once you get over the initial dark comedy of the idea (ha ha sexually transmitted demon ha ha), you realise quite how haunting it all is. To be pursued at all times, through all elements, obstacles and setbacks is terrifying. It’s the kind of slow chase that wears you down and can lull you into a false sense of security before coming to an explosive end.
Because it’s just a bunch of random young people with no idea about the supernatural, we never even find out if there’s a way to break the curse for good. They just sort of... electrocute the bad guy and hope for the best.
Unlike lots of other films we never get the closure, with the very last shot hinting that in spite of all their efforts, our central couple will continue to be stalked forever by this horrible entity.