4 Ways to Outsmart the Unstoppable Monster from 'It Follows'

It Follows (2014) is one of the most unique horror films of recent years. Set in a sleepy suburbia that’s both eerily familiar and uncomfortably foreign, David Robert Mitchell’s indie slasher follows teenager Jay Height (Maika Monroe) who, following a sexual encounter on a first date, starts being stalked by a nightmarish, human-shaped entity.

The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014 and went on to gross $23.3 million worldwide against a modest budget of $1.3 million during its official theatrical release. It was also praised by audiences and critics for its solid atmosphere and original premise. Now, a sequel titled They Follow is in the works, which reunites Mitchell and Monroe.

It remains to be seen what the sequel is about, but Monroe previously told Collider that it will be “bigger, darker, and more f*cked up” than its predecessor, and later told IndieWire that the script is “incredible” and “so f*cking good.” She also revealed that it picks up 10 years after the original film. As for actual specific plot details, your guess is good as ours.

It’s safe to say that we’ll see the return of the “sexually-transmitted demon” (a nickname coined by fans). However, the title They Follow suggests there will be more than one this time, which will undoubtedly make for an incredibly thrilling follow-up to a film in which one entity is difficult enough to evade. How will Jay deal with multiple entities..?

For now, let’s forget the fact that there will be even more in the sequel — instead, let’s go back to the original It Follows and try to imagine what we would do if we were being stalked by the nightmarish, paralyzing demon. At the end of the first film, Jay and her friends manage to lure “It” into a swimming pool where they eventually shoot it in the head.

However, the final scene suggests that “It” might not be dead, as a man can be seen walking closely behind Jay and her boyfriend Paul (Keir Gilchrist) on the street. So, can “It” be defeated? Maybe not. But it can be outrun, among many other things that will allow you to live a normal life (as normal as a life on the run from a demon can be, of course).

How Does the Curse in It Follows Work?

Firstly, it’s important to understand what we’re dealing with. So, how does the curse in It Follows work? Well, it’s quite simple really — it’s transmitted through sexual intercourse. Exactly where it originated is anyone’s guess, but basically, if someone has the curse, then they can pass it on to whomever they wish — provided they’re able to sleep at night.

Here are four ways you can defeat the monster from It Follows (maybe).

How To Survive the Entity in It Follows

Bury It in a Deep Hole/Lock It Up

What do we know about “It”? For a start, we know that it’s invisible to anyone else other than the person it’s following. We also know that it has a physical presence, meaning that it can pick things up and throw them at you, touch you, and even touch those who can’t see it (presumably, you can probably even bump into it accidentally, even if you aren’t a victim).

Taking all this into account, as well as the fact that it survives a bullet to the head in the first film, it’s reasonable to assume that “It” can’t be killed. Maybe it can, as there’s every chance that the guy in the background at the end of the film is a perfectly innocent pedestrian, but let’s assume the worst. So, if “It” is invincible, how can it be stopped? The answer is: it can’t.

But it can probably be trapped somewhere — after all, there’s no evidence in the film to suggest that the demon can teleport. As we’re told, it’s always walking, no matter where it is — always walking towards its victim at the same speed; with intent, but no urgency (there are some inconsistencies in the film, but they’re likely due to plot holes more than anything).

So, if it can’t teleport, then why not bury the nightmare creature in a really deep hole somewhere? You’d obviously have to buy yourself enough time to dig said-hole, so you’ll need to jump in your car and travel a good few miles. Then, grab a shovel, find a location in the middle of nowhere, and then set your trap. The question is, can it climb out of holes?

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Hit the Road Permanently

Let’s assume another worst-case scenario then: “It” can climb out of holes, or is strong enough to smash its way out a coffin (assuming you went the extra mile and locked it inside a wooden box and buried it deep in the earth — good for you, but it clearly didn’t work). In fact, we know it’s strong — it mangles its victims effortlessly and can even survive bullets.

So, now what? Well, remember that part where we said you should jump in your car? Yeah, keep driving. For a long time. But always have a plan. Don’t just drive aimlessly. And always be prepared. You don’t want to get pulled over by the police for driving with no insurance, or break down in the middle of nowhere because you didn’t fill up on gas. Always. Be. Prepared.

Drive as far as you can go so that you can buy yourself enough time to formulate the next part of your long-term plan. Don’t drive? Don’t worry — just hop on a train or a plane. Whatever you do, say goodbye to your loved ones and leave. Eventually, “It” will catch up with you, but according to maths, you won’t see the demon for very long periods of time.

Let’s assume “It” walks at two miles per hour. So, if you were to drive from LA to NYC, which are separated by 2, 500 miles, the demon would need to walk non-stop for around 50 days. And then, when it’s close again, you can just drive all the way back to LA! Of course, there’s one major flaw with this plan: money. Unless you have cash, you could be in trouble.

Jump on a Plane to a Faraway Location

At this point, your best bet is to jump on a plane to another country, which means you’ll have the advantage of having the ocean between you and “It.” Can the demon swim? There’s nothing in the original film to suggest so, but this may be something that’s revealed in the sequel, They Follow. For now, though, let’s go with the fact that it cannot enter the water.

So, you’ve made it overseas with enough money to travel and keep on moving. You’re safe! Right? Unfortunately, there’s a bit of a problem with this plan, too. In an interview several years ago, director David Robert Mitchell hinted that “It” could very well secretly board a plane in order to follow you (although how it would avoid cabin crew is a mystery).

Is there anything you could do to outrun this terrifying monster? When all is said and done, you just keep moving. Theoretically speaking, if “It” always moves at the same speed (as we’re told), and if it’s unable to teleport (as is seemingly suggested), then you should be able to outrun it if you’re always on the move. Provided you have enough cash to do so.

If you don’t, you might wish to take inspiration from your pursuer and just keep walking. If you’re in good health, you’re going to be a lot faster anyway. It would be a pretty exhausting life, though, and there won’t be a single day when you aren’t looking over your shoulder. And just think: Jay is expected to deal with more than one in the upcoming sequel…

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The Last Resort…

If none of the above ideas work, then you’re probably best off just doing what everyone in the movie tries to do. We don’t need to spell that out for you. But just remember: if “It” catches up with its prey, it comes back down the line…

Watch the official trailer for It Follows:

Related: ‘It Follows 2’: Everything We Know So Far About the Sequel’s Cast, Plot, and Release Date

Where Can I Watch It Follows This Halloween?

It Follows is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. It stars Maika Monroe (Jaime “Jay” Height), Keir Gilchrist (Paul Bolduan), Olivia Luccardi (Yara Davis), Lili Sepe (Kelly Height), Daniel Zovatto (Greg Hannigan), Jake Weary (Hugh/Jeff Redmond), Bailey Spry (Annie Marshall), Debbie Williams (Mrs. Height), and Ruby Harris (Mrs. Redmond).

Are you a fan of It Follows? What would you do if you were being stalked? Let us know in the comments below!