10 Movie Secrets They Didn't Want You To Know

8. How The Three Seashells Work - Demolition Man

The Holdovers Paul Giamatti
Warner Bros.

There are few cinematic mysteries more agonising than that of the three seashells in '90s action classic Demolition Man. 

Early in the movie, as a newly unthawed John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone) struggles to adapt to the not-so-far-flung future of 2032, he learns that humans have since replaced toilet paper with three seashells. 

More to the point, rather than explain how the seashells are used, Spartan's colleagues simply express extreme amusement that he doesn't know how to use them.

And the film doesn't ever elaborate on this, as has plagued fans for the 30+ years since its release. 

Though some have come up with their own semi-plausible explanations we won't go into detail on here, those who made the film have remained impressively tight-lipped ever since.

Star Sandra Bullock rather vaguely likened it to a bidet in 2013, but in 2014 one of the film's writers, Daniel Walters, affirmed that he wouldn't reveal how the seashells are used.

Granted, it's entirely possible that neither he nor the film's other writers actually know for sure themselves. Either way, isn't the uncertainty way more fun than a concrete answer ever would be?

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.