The First To Die In Movies

1. 60

   Shakka Jamesposted 11 years ago

   I have watched so many movies in my time and it never fails that the first to die is always a black person. Or, is it just me? Has anyone else noticed this trend? If so, why do you think this is?

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   1. 82

      DS Dubyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It always seems to be the dumb blonde or someone equally insignificant to the movie from what I've seen. Quite honestly I've seen thousands of horror movies and the majority rarely have even 1 black victim.

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   2. 74

      Anti-Valentineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It's an old movie cliche that some people go on about. But it's not that the black person is the first to die, it's just that if there is a black person in the film, they will die at some point; that there is rarely a black guy at the end who makes it out alive. But it just isn't true - not always. Look at Deep Blue Sea or Mindhunters, for instance: black dude survived. Same actor though in LL Cool J - that's another story...
      
      But I'm not so convinced. Like others here have said, there are probably far more white people killed in total in horror films. Someone just happens to notice that one of these victims is black and is all like: "Oh hell no! Whys they gots ta kill da black dude all the time man! What's up wit dat?!"
      
      Sorry. Couldn't resist.

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   3. 75

      sweetzaraposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I have noticed that on more than one occasion and am not sure why. Can only hazard a guess: Usually it is the minor character that goes first and the body count rises till the hero or the virgin is the only one who survives. Americans tend to think of white characters as more mainstream Americans and every other racial or ethnic groups as "minorities" hence  black people and other non-white characters die before white folks.
      Thats just how it is.

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2. 69

   Cagsilposted 11 years ago

   The most common trend in movies with regards to who dies is usually a meaningless character to the plot of the movie.
   
   I've never payed attention to color in my life, so I wouldn't notice a trend like that.

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3. 79

   brimancandyposted 11 years ago

   Well, things have changed a lot since the 1980's, when most victims were mainly attractive white teenagers, being bumped off by a dead guy with an ax. Or, someone like Freddy Kruger who gets into your nightmares and does you in. Back then, Black teens were rarely scene.
   
   Although if you have seen Freddy VS Jason, a young Black girl is the only one brave enough to confront the killer at her own demise. There is also a Black male in a Friday the 13th movie that attempts to kick Jason's ass. But typically, a majority of the bumped off cast is white. Usually with a white female being the hero.
   
   I hate violent flicks. I would much rather watch a good comedy. Nobody dies, and the cast is usually a mix of all different types of people. There are also shows where Black actors are the stars, such as the Scary Movie Franchise, Dreamgirls, and The new version of Hairspray.
   
   But, what Cagsil said is correct. The first to die is usually someone who won't have a big role in the film anyways. Like the guys on the old Star Trek, if you haven't seen an episode with that person in it, most likely they will have only a couple lines, and be killed in the first 15 minutes.

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4. 60

   JBrumettposted 11 years ago

   Call me crazy.  People don't really die in movies.  So, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.  =-P

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      DS Dubyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Good point

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5. 61

   Lisa HWposted 11 years ago

   I stay away from movies if I think someone's going to die in them; so with the movies I see it's usually a matter of them slipping in a relative who dies into a romantic comedy or drama.  I can't even think of a movie I've seen in which it hasn't been a White person (like a grandfather or mother) who dies.  Movies I've seen that focus on Black people or families haven't had anyone die in them at all.
   
   On the other hand, television is something different.  I've seen plenty of both White and Black people die, or be killed, on television; but I have to say I think it's most often White people (at least with the shows I watch that may involve any murders).  (Criminal Minds, Law and Order, Castle, Hawaii Five O - all the more current ones on the major networks.)

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6. 67

   ptosisposted 11 years ago

   I guess it depends on what type of horror/slash movie it is. Anything involving the devil - it's the priest who get killed first for lack of faith.
   

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   1. 61

      JSChamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh well it's always the Catholic church in those and always whomever the priest or exorcist or unlucky would be hero is has personal inner demons that get used against him and he loses faith blah blah....

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      1. 79

         brimancandyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         The priest doesn't die in Scary Movie2, but James Woods plays the role of father McFeely very well, and he's pretty darn funny too. What makes it even more fun to me is that my last name is McFeely, so he's like a long lost funny relative or something like that.
         
         I love it when the possessed girl, says "your mother is in bed with with me, should I leave her a message, I'll be sure that she gets it."
         And the priest replies. "I know Mom! Would you get out of there!"
         And, this woman appears from under the sheets and says
         "Your No Fun!"" LOL!

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         1. 67

            ptosisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            The best part I liked was when he was on the toilet and all the flies are on the window. He is gesturing as if he is being tortured then sighs....in relief. Yes silly - but funny anyway.

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7. 61

   Radikumposted 11 years ago

   A noticeable trend within a trend. The deaths you find in the horror genre are very generic and cliche nowadays and were recently exploited to great effect in 2011's "Tucker and Dale vs Evil" and 2012's "The Cabin in the Woods." Outside of those two films, most horror cliches are necessitous (or seem to be) for the story to work in some form or another.

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8. 72

   heavenleigh707posted 11 years ago

   I've noticed that too - and I think it's terrible that it seems to be a pattern in many film plots. Geeeeez! So it's not just me thinking this? It feels very offensive to me, as if there is the subliminal message that one race is more "expendable" than another???? I think it's very offensive and strange.

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9. 82

   DS Dubyposted 11 years ago

   What movies are you watching that this seems to be a trend cause I just don't see it. Other than in a few comedy type horror films where it would be used as a running joke throughout the movie it doesn't really happen or am I just missing something? Feel free to name a few of the movies your speaking of cause I have no problem being proven wrong I just personally haven't seen this happening.

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10. 0

    AaronHubb89posted 11 years ago

    Yeah, I notice a trend with the wealthy, snobbish white people or the the ditzy blonde hottie...I can usually spot who dies and who doesn't.

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    1. 82

       DS Dubyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       absolutely, my wife and I make a competition out of guessing who will die first.

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          AaronHubb89posted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Did you watch The Dark Knight Rises? I kept trying to guess, but I got everything wrong lol

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          1. 82

             DS Dubyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             Not yet but I'm really anxious to see it I just haven't had time yet.

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          TamCorposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          My husband and I do the same thing, lol.  But with us--we always notice that the smoker is usually the first one to go...and the next, and the next, haha. 
          
          We watch these type of movies all the time, and I can't say that I've noticed that a black person is always the one to go...usually, they more often are one of the last, or the complete hero of the story.

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          1. 82

             DS Dubyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             agreed

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11. 79

    Alexander Markposted 11 years ago

    I wouldn't say they are always first to die, but usually it doesn't take long. If there is one black supporting character, he usually dies making the white person a leftover hero. It's ironic that the very place that you would think exemplifies progressive values (Hollywood), still continues to play the same old tired plots.
    
    Here's how I see it:
    
    Monster destroys group of people,
    group fights back as they start to dwindle,
    black person dies pretty much first,
    good looking white guy defeats monster,
    good looking white girl defeats monster when it resurrects,
    guy gets girl,
    everyone's happy.
    
    I think they do this to create empathy through white-guilt. It's on the same level as a cliche plot.

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12. 58

    calvinmarkposted 11 years ago

    Me and my friends same thing. Because which work i want  to do they  already done. Some times i watch movies with my friends in home. Saw movie is showing and we all die to watch. I am just kidding.
    
    
    http://www.movies100.biz/

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13. 63

    heatblast92posted 11 years ago

    It would help somewhat to give us a specific genre of the movies you watched in which you claimed the first to receive a bitter end is invariably black. I don't recall watching any movies of said nature; then again, like the first commenter, I don't usually take note of whatever distinguishing features the deceased should have, aside from the bleeding obvious, being dead.

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    1. 67

       ptosisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       In any TV series, the main actors not going to die - only the extras such as in the original Start Trek it would be the red shirts worn by Starfleet security officers who frequently die during episodes.
       
       Don't wear red shirts!
       
       

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          TamCorposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          They were the "ensigns".  We always used to say that we would never want to be an ensign on a Star Trek episode because they were doomed from the start, lol...

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