How Does 'It Follows' Compare To Other Works In The Horror Genre?

After finally making it out of the Underworld in 'Hades', the game doesn't just slam the door shut — it opens a whole new playground. Right after the true-ending sequence (you know, the one with Persephone and that lovely, cathartic set of scenes), you get an epilogue that ties up a bunch of story threads. But that’s only the narrative part; mechanically the game keeps humming. You can keep running forever: collecting Titan Blood to unlock or upgrade weapon aspects, grinding Darkness to pour into the Mirror of Night, hoarding Nectar and Ambrosia for character gifts, and hunting for Daedalus Hammer modifiers that change how your builds play. The world reacts to your victory — characters have fresh lines, new little scenes pop up in the House of Hades, and some side threads continue to unfold the more you interact and gift them. On the gameplay side, the Pact of Punishment (Heat) becomes the main carrot for post-escape progression. If you want tougher fights and better rewards, crank up the Heat and watch boss patterns and enemy numbers shift while your spoils scale. There are also collectables, achievements, and the joy of pushing different weapon aspects to see how wildly different each run can feel. Personally, I loved that the story closure didn’t mean the end: it gave me permission to play with reckless experimentation and savor tiny interpersonal moments with the cast long after the credits rolled.

In 'It Follows', the protagonist Jay’s journey is defined by a series of haunting moments that blur the line between reality and paranoia. The first key moment is when she sleeps with her boyfriend Hugh, only to wake up tied to a wheelchair in an abandoned parking lot. Hugh explains the curse: a relentless entity will now follow her, taking the form of strangers, and if it catches her, she’ll die. The only way to escape is to pass the curse to someone else. This moment shatters Jay’s sense of safety and thrusts her into a world of constant fear. Another pivotal moment is when Jay and her friends attempt to trap the entity in a swimming pool. They lure it in, but the plan fails spectacularly, leaving them more vulnerable than ever. This scene underscores the futility of their efforts and the inescapable nature of the curse. The tension is palpable, and the failure marks a turning point where Jay realizes she can’t outrun or outsmart this force. The final defining moment is Jay’s decision to face the entity head-on, walking down a desolate street with her friends, ready to confront whatever comes. This act of bravery, despite the overwhelming odds, shows her growth from a terrified victim to someone willing to fight back. The film’s ambiguous ending leaves viewers questioning whether she’s truly free, but her journey is a masterclass in psychological horror. If you’re into films that explore fear and survival, I’d recommend 'The Babadook' or 'Hereditary', both of which delve into the human psyche under pressure.

If you like the whole marble-statue vibe, I’d point to Henry Cavill and Chris Hemsworth as the closest real-world celebrities who chase that classical Greek-god silhouette — broad shoulders, deep chest, narrow waist, and balanced legs — but they get there in different ways. I’ve followed their prep stories between training sessions and scrolling Instagram while sipping coffee, and watching the subtle differences is half the fun. Cavill’s look for 'Man of Steel' was basically old-school, symmetry-first bodybuilding: lots of compound lifts (bench, squat, deadlift, overhead press), targeted shoulder and upper-chest work, and smart volume to build density without turning into a bodybuilder caricature. He paired that with tight calorie control and steady cardio to strip fat while keeping muscle. Hemsworth, who trains for 'Thor' and posts a lot about his 'Centr' routines, blends heavy compound work with functional conditioning, boxing, and mobility — that gives him a powerful-but-athletic Greek statue feel, rather than just pure mass. Michael B. Jordan is another shout-out; his lean, shredded look for 'Creed' relied on boxing, high-intensity intervals, and focused hypertrophy to create visible lines and athletic symmetry. If you want to try it at home, think three pillars: strength (heavy compounds, progressive overload), proportion (don't neglect traps, lats, and legs), and conditioning (HIIT or circuits to keep body fat low). Nutrition matters as much as the gym: lean protein, controlled carbs around workouts, and a cyclical approach to calories. I’ve experimented with a Cavill-inspired 4-day split and felt that the emphasis on mid-chest and rear delt work really tightened up my silhouette — it’s doable without steroids, just consistent work and smart recovery.

The key differences between 'It Follows 2' and the original lie in the evolution of the curse and the characters' responses to it. In the first film, the curse is a metaphor for the inevitability of death and the consequences of intimacy, with a focus on Jay’s personal journey. The sequel expands this by exploring how the curse adapts, becoming more insidious and harder to escape. It introduces a group of survivors who’ve been living with the curse for years, adding a layer of collective trauma and resilience. Visually, 'It Follows 2' ramps up the tension with more elaborate set pieces and a broader scope, moving beyond the claustrophobic suburban setting of the original. The soundtrack, while still haunting, incorporates new elements to reflect the expanded narrative. The sequel also delves deeper into the mythology of the curse, hinting at its origins and the possibility of breaking it, which the first film left ambiguous. The characters in the sequel are more proactive, forming alliances and strategizing, whereas the original focused on isolation and fear. This shift makes 'It Follows 2' feel like a natural progression, blending the psychological horror of the first with a more action-driven approach.

In 'It Follows 2', the story expands with a fresh set of characters who bring new layers to the haunting narrative. The most notable is Elena, a college student who becomes entangled in the curse after a seemingly innocent date. Her skepticism about the supernatural makes her a compelling contrast to the original group. Then there’s Marcus, a former detective turned conspiracy theorist, who believes the entity is part of a larger government experiment. His paranoia adds a gritty, investigative edge to the plot. Another key figure is Priya, a tech-savvy hacker who uses her skills to track the entity’s movements. Her analytical mind provides a modern twist to the fight against the curse. Lastly, we meet Jake, a high school teacher with a tragic past tied to the entity. His emotional depth and determination to protect his students make him a standout. These characters not only diversify the story but also deepen the exploration of fear and survival.

When I think about 'It Follows 2', what stands out is how it manages to balance nostalgia with innovation. Unlike many sequels that just rehash the original, this one dives deeper into the psychological horror that made the first film so gripping. It expands on the rules of the curse, introducing new layers of fear and paranoia. The characters feel more fleshed out, and the stakes are higher, making it a worthy follow-up that doesn’t just rely on jump scares. What I appreciate most is how it doesn’t lose the essence of the original while still feeling fresh. The cinematography is just as haunting, and the soundtrack amplifies the tension perfectly. It’s a sequel that respects its roots but isn’t afraid to take risks, which is rare in the horror genre. It’s not just a cash grab; it’s a thoughtful continuation that adds depth to the story.

In 'It Follows 2', the hidden Easter eggs are subtle but deeply rewarding for fans of the original. One standout is the recurring motif of the red herring—literally, a red fish—that appears in the background of several scenes. It’s a nod to the first film’s theme of misdirection and paranoia. Another Easter egg is the use of vintage technology, like the old-school CRT TV in the protagonist’s house, which mirrors the retro aesthetic of the original. The soundtrack also hides a gem: a slowed-down version of the first film’s main theme plays during a pivotal moment, almost like a ghostly echo. The most intriguing Easter egg, though, is the cameo of the original protagonist, Jay, seen briefly in a crowd scene, her expression unreadable but haunting. These details aren’t just fan service; they deepen the lore and connect the two films in a way that feels organic and unsettling. Another layer of Easter eggs lies in the visual storytelling. The film’s opening shot mirrors the first movie’s iconic pool scene, but this time, the camera lingers on a different angle, hinting at a shift in perspective. The use of color is also deliberate—shades of blue dominate, symbolizing isolation and coldness, while flashes of red signal danger. Even the dialogue hides clues; a throwaway line about 'cycles repeating' ties back to the first film’s themes of inevitability and fate. These Easter eggs aren’t just clever nods—they’re threads that weave the two films together, creating a richer, more immersive experience for those who pay attention.

The character development in 'It Follows' is deeply intertwined with the film’s exploration of fear, vulnerability, and the inevitability of consequences. For me, the protagonist, Jay, embodies the theme of growing up and facing the unknown. At the start, she’s carefree, almost naive, but the moment she’s marked by the curse, her entire world shifts. Her evolution isn’t just about survival; it’s about confronting the weight of her choices and the realization that some things can’t be undone. The way she transforms from someone who relies on others to someone who takes charge mirrors the film’s broader commentary on maturity and accountability. What struck me most was how the curse forces Jay to confront her own mortality. It’s not just a physical threat; it’s a psychological one. The constant paranoia, the inability to trust even those closest to her, and the isolation she feels all reflect the film’s themes of inevitability and the inescapable nature of certain truths. Her relationships with her friends also evolve in a way that highlights the fragility of human connections under pressure. They start off as a tight-knit group, but as the curse looms, their loyalty is tested, and cracks begin to show. This dynamic underscores the idea that fear can both unite and divide people. Jay’s journey also mirrors the film’s exploration of time and inevitability. The curse is relentless, always moving forward, much like time itself. Her attempts to outrun it or pass it on to others feel futile, emphasizing the theme that some things—whether it’s growing up, facing consequences, or confronting death—are unavoidable. The film’s cyclical nature, where the curse keeps returning, mirrors Jay’s internal struggle to come to terms with her reality. By the end, she’s not the same person she was at the beginning, and that transformation feels earned and deeply tied to the film’s core themes. If you’re into stories that blend psychological depth with horror, I’d recommend 'The Babadook'. It’s another film that uses its protagonist’s development to explore themes of grief and fear. For a book that delves into similar ideas, try 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. It’s a haunting exploration of fear and the unknown, much like 'It Follows'. Both works use their characters’ journeys to reflect larger, more universal truths about the human experience.