How Does 'It Follows' Explore The Theme Of Inevitability In Its Plot?

In 'It Follows', the theme of inevitability is woven into every frame, creating a haunting sense of dread that feels inescapable. The entire premise revolves around a curse passed through sexual contact, and once you’re marked, there’s no way out. The entity that follows is relentless, slow but unstoppable, and it’s this inevitability that makes the horror so effective. The film doesn’t rely on jump scares or gore; instead, it builds tension through the idea that no matter where you go or what you do, it’s coming for you. The characters try everything—running, hiding, even passing the curse to someone else—but nothing works. It’s a chilling metaphor for the inescapable nature of death or consequences, something we all have to face eventually.

What’s fascinating is how the film uses visual storytelling to emphasize this theme. The entity is always in the background, often blending into crowds or appearing in the distance, a constant reminder that it’s always there, even when you think you’re safe. The cinematography, with its wide shots and long takes, reinforces the idea that there’s no escape. The characters’ attempts to outsmart the entity feel futile, and that’s the point. The film suggests that some things in life are inevitable, and trying to avoid them only delays the inevitable.

For viewers who appreciate this kind of existential horror, I’d recommend 'The Babadook', which explores the inevitability of grief, or 'Hereditary', where the characters are trapped by their family’s dark legacy. Both films, like 'It Follows', use horror to explore themes we all grapple with in real life.

'It Follows' is a masterclass in making inevitability terrifying. The curse isn’t something you can fight or outrun—it’s a slow, unstoppable force that will eventually catch up to you. The film’s brilliance lies in how it makes you feel that sense of dread. The entity is always there, always moving, and no matter what the characters do, it’s only a matter of time. It’s a metaphor for life’s unavoidable truths, like aging or mortality, and it’s this relatability that makes the horror so effective. If you enjoyed this, check out 'A Quiet Place', where silence becomes a similar inescapable threat, or 'The Witch', which explores the inevitability of fate in a Puritan setting.