20 Things Horror Movies NEED To Stop Doing

This is admittedly a broader issue with movie marketing in general, but it sucks when the trailer for an intriguing new horror film straight-up gives away most of the major narrative beats.

Though studies have suggested that most casual moviegoers actually like spoiler-filled trailers which assure them of precisely the film they're paying money to see, to dedicated genre fans who need only a gentle nudge towards their local multiplex, it can dilute the fun sense of discovery.

Take Companion for example, which gave away its big conceit regarding the identity of Sophie Thatcher's protagonist in trailers, despite the fact that the film doesn't reveal it until the end of the first act.

Far worse was 2024's Abigail, which freely spoiled the vampire twist in its marketing despite this aspect of the story not unfurling for almost a full hour.

Spoiler-filled marketing ultimately requires no imagination and is the safest way to get butts in seats, but for the many horror fans who want to be surprised, there's a sure demand for more vague, vibes-rich trailers which convey mood, tone, and atmosphere rather than plot specifics.

If you sit down to watch a film and can already piece together the story from the images you've already seen, it simply invites you to be less engaged in it.