ADVERTISEMENT

Many of us love watching films as a form of escapism. I don’t really want to know what it’s like to run an empire selling illegal goods or to get stranded in the forest after a plane crash. But it’s fascinating to immerse myself in these stories through a screen!

However, if a movie is meant to be set in our world, audiences will only truly connect to the characters if they’re believable. That's why cinephiles on Reddit have been discussing the most unrealistic and eye-roll inducing choices directors make that immediately take viewers out of a story.

It’s understandable for artists to take some liberties when writing scripts, but it’s difficult to take the plot seriously when the hero can magically survive dozens of life-threatening injuries. Enjoy scrolling through this list, and be sure to upvote the film details that frustrate you too!

#1

Smiling woman with long hair opening a door, representing unrealistic movie moments. When people just like show up unannounced. Especially romantic movies. The girl always looks flawless. If a guy just showed up at my doorstep. The most likely result would be me in men's sweats with a bun on top of my head eating Cheetos out of my belly button.

UPDATE: to answer all of your questions, I have a really deep belly button.

iwannabefreddieHg , pch.vector Report

RELATED:
    #2

    Girl falls in love with a crazy a*****e and the more she loves him the less of a crazy a*****e he becomes. Newsflash, in real life loving a crazy a*****e doesn't fix him, it turns him into a crazier a*****e.

    QuadmasterXLII Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #3

    Man with laptop in a bright room, highlighting unrealistic movie scenes that distract audiences from the story. When someone tries to figure out a password. They'll look around the room and be like, "Paris! Her favorite city - that must be her password!" And it works. F**k all y'all.

    SnoopyLoves , freepik Report

    #4

    A woman sitting on a bed looking thoughtful, with a person blurred in the background, illustrating unrealistic movie emotions. When the characters don't communicate. Seems like there are a lot of movies/stories where there is some sort of dilemma but if they just sat and talked for a minute and explained what happened it would be fine. Seems like lazy writing sometimes.

    That_Tall_Guy , Getty Images Report

    #5

    People with 'normal' jobs (waiter, teacher, etc) having a cool, large apartment in one of the most expensive cities in the world (NY, LA, London, etc).

    Venturello Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    John O'Donnell
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jenny Agutter playing a NHS nurse who can afford a ground floor flat in Redcliffe Square in American Werewolf In London is always the one that makes me laugh. Even in the 1970s you’d have to be a millionaire to afford that.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Eiffel Tower under blue sky, representing unrealistic movie settings. Going to any famous landmark and being the only ones there.

    anon , Haut Risque Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And no matter where the characters are in Paris, the Eiffel Tower is automatically in the background.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #7

    The "ugly girl" in movies is actually super hot but just wearing glasses and has her hair in a bun.

    anon Report

    #8

    No one ever finishes a meal or their drinks. They always leave half full plates on the table or open a beer, take one sip, and leave it on the counter never to touch it again. Wasteful bastards.

    CaptainFilibuster Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Dorothy Reiser
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Poor mom with the full breakfast ready and her kid grabs a piece of fruit on the way out.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Person jogging on urban pavement in black and neon athletic gear, showcasing unrealistic movie-like scenario. When someone is being chased by a car. Why the f**k do they ALWAYS continue running on a straight road?! You obviously cannot outrun a car.

    googlion , freepik Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    LauraDragonWench
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Chased by anything: run in a straight line. 🤦 Do you know how much I screamed at the characters at the end of Prometheus to just TURN TO THE SIDE?!?!! (Then again, I screamed at the characters in Prometheus throughout the entire movie.)

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #11

    When they "enhance" a photo in order to get the information they want. YOU CANT ENHANCE THAT S**T LIKE THAT, A GRAINY PHOTO WILL STILL BE A GRAINY PHOTO, YOU'VE JUST BLOWN IT UP IN SIZE.

    ladycowbell Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    BlackestDawn
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'll give you one step further. Using 2D images (surveillance video) and turn them 3D to be able to rotate it and see it from the "backside" (Enemy of the State). There is no way they have that kind of information in the original.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #12

    Two men in casual attire sit talking by a window, wearing colorful striped socks. When two people want to talk privately and they casually step like 5 feet away in the same room, like nobody else in the room wouldn't be able to hear them.

    anon , Mizuno K Report

    #13

    A superhero stands on a rooftop at night, city lights in the background, embodying unrealistic movie moments. All the bad guys are horrible shots and the heroes never miss.

    drclairefraser , Michael Marais Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Man animatedly speaking to children, capturing unrealistic scenes and storytelling moments. Teachers giving one motivation speech and suddenly all kids turn into saints.

    Blitzableitoah , user36718402 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    urbeinghunted 25
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish that were true... but then again, teachers nowadays aren't really known for inspirational speeches any more...

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #15

    Pregnant woman smiling on a sofa, showcasing unrealistic movie moments with perfect serenity. Inaccuracy in portrayal of pregnancy. Like oh 10 weeks and the baby is kicking. Or when "it's time" the woman is rushed to the hospital and goes through a birth in a few minutes. All LIES!!!!

    anon , Brooke Cagle Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    JK
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dont forget all the 8+ month pregnant women running around in high heels and not a swollen ankle in sight!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #16

    A group of friends walking and laughing together on a city street, showcasing unrealistic movie camaraderie. How everyone in highschool is in their late 20's.

    anon , gpointstudio Report

    #17

    Man with tape over mouth, illustrating unrealistic movie scenes. Covering someones mouth in duct tape. S**t don't stick to wet, humid surfaces. Breathing causes humidity. Might not fall clean off, but it wouldn't stifle speech.

    Edit: Too many of you know too much about how many times to wrap tape around someone's head lol.

    Jaexyn , andranik.h90 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    LauraDragonWench
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For me, it's not about how well the tape sticks, it's the fact that nobody takes their tongue to poke the tape away - it's easy. (Don't ask me how I know. All I'll say is that I like doing research. 😁)

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    Drastic age differences between couples for the sake of casting a young hot actress in the role over one that's realistically more the equal to the actor.

    EZ_does_it Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also mother and daughter characters who are too close in age in real life to be possible

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #19

    Person waxing leg, highlighting unrealistic movie moments. In a dystopian future where water and resources are scarce, everyone has the magical ability to shave their legs, chest and armpits and groom their eyebrows.

    I'm willing to forgive well kept hair, but the whole "waxed body" thing is dumb.

    Shaysdays , EyeEm Report

    #20

    A woman in a car at night, eyes closed, illustrating unrealistic movie scenes that disrupt storytelling. It gets to me when people are driving and they move the steering wheel way to much for driving on a straight road. Do that in real life and you're all over the road.

    adamrocks84 , Getty Images Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    LauraDragonWench
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or they take their eyes off the road to look at their passenger for minutes at a time. Yeah, no - that's the direct line to Crashville.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    When people are pretending to play instruments and they clearly have absolutely no idea what they are doing. The prop department could at least teach them how to hold the f*****g things, it makes me so angry.

    musicflower Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    urbeinghunted 25
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I played the trumpet in primary school for two years and the first thing the teachers told us was "don't puff out your cheeks - it doesn't work". Right, and in the movies, guess what everybody does?

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #22

    When one character says, "Quick, turn on your TV!" and the other character just happens to be on the right channel. Ugh. No. There're like 800 channels with basic cable.

    TheLollrax Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Space Invader
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Okay, I turned the TV on... Now what's so important about this stain remover conmercial? I mean, it DOES seem to work fairly well..."

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #23

    When people smoke weed in movies and react as though they are under the influence of some seriously psychoactive hallucinogens and act like complete fools.

    ProfMeowingtonPhd Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or they take a huge hit of (substance of choice) and continue to act completely unaffected.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #24

    People being "knocked out" by head trauma without ill effects. I'm sure there are people who think that's how it actually works, and that's a dangerous misconception. It's important to take head injuries seriously.

    CeruleanTresses Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    LauraDragonWench
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I got smacked in the head as a kid by an out-of-control swing and blacked out for a few seconds. Directly afterwards, I couldn't remember my phone number or house number - took at least an hour for that info to pop back into my brain. Even the most minor of head trauma is serious.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #25

    It really grinds my gears when a character pulls another character up to safety with one arm from the edge of a cliff.

    cortezology Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or catches someone by one hand after they've already started falling. Also the person who falls out of sight just to be revealed clinging to a tiny ledge 20 feet down.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #26

    No one says good bye before they hang up. How many times do you say good bye and the other person still has more to say? How do movie characters always know the conversation is over??

    dogsordiamonds Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Boo
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mother-in-law was famous for just hanging up. Hubs had called her about something important and his mum was chatting about her neighbours or something. Once she had said what she wanted to say, she said good bye and hung up before hubs could even talk to her about the important thing he needed to talk to her about. He wasn't happy, as when she hung up, she didn't put the handset back on the cradle right, so when he tried to call back, all he got was a busy signal. He tried for over an hour and in the end had to drive to her place to speak to her. He was raging when he got home.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #27

    How everyone being interviewed by the police at their job - keep working as though they couldn't be bothered to stop, you know... for a murder investigation.

    emc5280 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ace
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well yes, and all the time nobody's recording exactly what they said, no witnesses, no proof of anything, yet the slightest 'oops' slip-up is enough to land them in jail.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #28

    When a car has no headrests so we can see the people in the backseat, once you notice it, you can't un-notice it.

    spacin_mason Report

    #29

    Unemployed actors living in huge Manhattan lofts.

    dberis Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or people barely getting by moving from home to home, on a whim.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #30

    Binoculars. F*****g binoculars. You know that s**t you see when a character is using binoculars and you see their POV and then there's two circles? That's not how f*****g binoculars work. You see one g*****n oval. Yet every time you see someone use binoculars you see some venn diagram b******t. It's like no one in Hollywood has used a pair of f*****g binoculars before.

    anon Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ace
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sadly it's been going on for so long it's almost accepted by now.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #31

    Socially awkward people magically obtaining a vibrant social life with no effort because cool people for some reason find them valuable and want them as friends.

    anon Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have always been socially awkward, yet had a huge group of friends in high school

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #32

    Defibrillators - They don't bring back people from the dead. *Edited* - as in they are not used to re-start a stopped/flatline/asystole) (my new word of the day) heart.

    TheDefected Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    stephen hoxworth
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So right. They are used to stabilize a heart beat. My CCU Nurse wife screams at the TV over this one.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #33

    That nobody seems to need to go to the bathroom. Ever.

    Edi: Ok not ALL movies. But never just natural. Like rom coms drinking all night? Where's the broken seal? No one's ever like, hang on I have to pee every 5 seconds.

    agentbauer Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Annik Perrot
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's dangerous going to the bathroom. Especially without your gun, as proved in Pulp Fiction.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #34

    Car engulfed in flames in an open field, showcasing unrealistic movie effects. Cars don't explode when shot at. That's lazy filmmaking.

    *edit*

    TIL, people like their cars exploding, gawshdurnit.

    *edit edit*

    Also, I call it lazy filmmaking because, well, it f*****g is. If you want to build excitement or intensity, do so with a better plot or with better pacing. Not random, arbitrary explosions. Unless, you are looking to make just a stupid action flick, it's a silly thing to waste the money on shooting.

    openletter8 , mestyle.studio3 Report

    #35

    How acceptable it is to break up a wedding/relationship. D**n near every movie that has one being broken up ends in applause and kissing.

    I'm pretty sure if you walk in on a wedding for the "girl of your dreams" in real life, you're gonna get your a*s kicked by either 50% or 100% of attendees.

    Kooooomar Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Uncle Panda
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I got lost and managed to run into the church just as "If you have any objections..." All eyes swiveled. I swiftly took a seat and bowed my head. Marriage happened.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #36

    Bombs that are defused at 1 sec mark, jesus
    Edit: rip my inbox, biggest comment so far!

    AffluentWeevil1 Report

    #37

    Characters picking up obviously empty suitcases. I know it's dumb of me to get so annoyed, but the prop guy couldn't put a sand bag in there? It immediately takes me away from the story when I see actors lifting giant bags like they're King Kong picking up a matchbook.

    Brrbank55 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Huge amounts of luggage. In The Shining, the Torrance family arrived in VW Bug and their pile of luggage was bigger than the whole car.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #38

    When there's a gun fight and car doors stop high caliber rounds

    **Edit**: The pedants on this site wouldn't be happy if I was specific down to the bullet's grain, so p**s off you know what I mean.

    Facerless Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kat
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Especially since most cars are made of very light material for fuel efficiency now.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #39

    When people pause before shooting someone, giving them a chance to do something completely unrealistic to get away. If there's somebody dangerous and I have a gun pointed at them I'm going to just shoot, no questions asked. I'll drop my pun after k**ling them.

    DPaulRadio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Becky Samuel
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never pull a weapon if you're not prepared to use it right then and there. If the other person is experienced in self defence or attack, then you have no time at all before they close the distance between you, take the weapon, and use it on you. If you are closer than about 10 feet from someone, your chances of being able to shoot you before they are withing grabbing range of the gun are next to zero. It is shocking just how quickly you can go from feeling in charge of the situation to being dead.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #40

    Whenever someone is "hacking" or doing anything with computers, they bleep and bloop and make all kinds of sci-fi sounds like that. That would be the most annoying s**t ever.

    groenroos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    LauraDragonWench
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait, you mean hackers don't work and look like they do in "Hackers"? Man, talk about disappointing! 😂

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #41

    When the character who wears glasses takes his glasses off during "serious business" moments. Have fun squinting pal.

    instantanarchy Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #42

    Outrunning explosion fireballs, or hiding from them, like a fireball rolling down a hallway they escape by ducking into a side room or closet.

    CanisArgenteus Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    SCP 4666
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Like the one time in Bandcamp when Indiana Jones hid in an old fridge from a nuclear Explosion and crawled out of it unharmed

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #43

    When the "perp" is being interviewed by a cop and asks for a lawyer but the cop goes something like " okay but that'll make you look guilty" or some other b******t like that. Asking for a lawyer is the magic stop button in police interviews, they aren't allowed to ask you anything else until you speak with a lawyer.

    Shotgunschoppe Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Pencil
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Be careful how you word it, though. Because if you tell a cop: "Give me a lawyer, dawg" the court could find that you didn't ask for your Constitutionally guaranteed lawyer but instead asked for a "lawyer dog." Sounds stupid, right? Well... it happened: https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/25/574827

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #44

    Incorrect sound effects. I hate the sword drawing SCHWING sound, and the "I just lifted my gun" ka-click.

    Master119 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Little Bit
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or when an archer draws their bow and you hear a ridiculous over-stretching sound. I've been doing archery for more then 20 years and my bow makes no sound at all when I draw it.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #45

    A black car parked on a quiet street, highlighting unrealistic movie scenarios. What really grinds my gears is whenever they show a scene of a car pulling away from ANYWHERE, the tires ALWAYS screech or burn-out.

    CollidingGalaxies , Vitali Adutskevich Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #46

    I absolutely hate when a couple is fighting or arguing really aggressively and that somehow turns into them having s*x. WUT.

    pavpatel Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Tabitha
    Community Member
    1 week ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Makeup s*x happens, but not quite as suddenly, in the middle of an argument, as it does in the movies. You don’t switch gears that fast. There’s a bit of lead up to it, when you realize you actually do not want to end things.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #47

    Those movies where a white woman goes into the projects and just HAS to make a difference.

    SOSovereign Report

    #48

    Sprinklers. Someone holds up a lighter and suddenly everyone in the building is soaking wet.

    If you manage to trip a sprinkler head, every sprinkler in the building doesn't go off. If they did, they'd all have to be replaced and that s**t gets expensive. The life safety system will trigger and the alarms go off, but only the sprinklers in the area that is hot will trip.

    Edit: Since everyone on Reddit likes to make a point, yes, deluge systems do this. I have yet to see a movie in a high hazard situation where someone is trying to set off the fire safety systems. More often they want to blow those places up.

    otoren Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Dragon mama
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also, what pours out will NOT be shower water. It will be nasty 🤢

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #49

    The President "Clears" someone for an "ultra classified" mission.

    He/She doesn't have that authority. That's not how it works.


    Edit: for more information on how clearances work (in the US).

    Ksopuff Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With the current President no one needs clearance for an "ultra classified" mission. All you need is to be connected to Pete Hegseth.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #50

    People dying immediately, as soon as they are shot, stabbed, etc. In reality, this is extremely unlikely for anything other than a perfect shot to the head or heart. Why can't we hear the moaning and gurgling, and see the shooting victim writhing and bleeding out as the hero tiptoes past him?

    letsgetrandy Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    LauraDragonWench
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People dying right after they're able to make an emotional speech or confession, rather than dying in the middle of speaking or hours later as it'd be more likely to happen.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    ADVERTISEMENT