Films & Entertainment

Surviving ‘It Follows’: 4 Clever Ways to Outsmart the Unseen Stalker

When It Follows arrived in 2014, it wasn’t just another horror movie. David Robert Mitchell’s indie thriller introduced us to a concept both bizarre and terrifying: a shape-shifting entity that’s impossible to escape but unrelenting in its pursuit. With a humble budget of $1.3 million, the film’s unique horror approach captured audiences, making It Follows a cult favorite. Now, almost a decade later, a new chapter, They Follow, is set to bring back actress Maika Monroe as Jay Height in what’s shaping up to be a darker, even more twisted installment.

While plot details remain scarce, Monroe has shared a few juicy hints about the sequel’s tone. In an interview with Collider, she teased that They Follow will be “bigger, darker, and more f*cked up” than its predecessor. Monroe also told IndieWire that the script is “incredible” and “so f*cking good.” If the first movie taught us anything, it’s that David Robert Mitchell isn’t here to deliver predictable scares—he’s here to keep us up at night.

Jay (Maika Monroe) in hospital in 'It Follows'
Credit: Northern Lights Films / Animal Kingdom / Two Flints

So, what can we expect from this new chapter in Jay’s horror story? Well, if the title They Follow is anything to go by, Jay might be facing more than one demon this time. In the original, the terror of being followed by a single unrelenting entity was enough to make audiences think twice about every unfamiliar face. With multiple entities on her trail, the stakes are bound to be higher—and scarier.

For now, as we await more news on They Follow, it’s worth revisiting the 2014 film and pondering a question no one wants to face: what would you do if you were being pursued by an unstoppable, invisible demon? Here are four “strategies” (we’re using that term loosely) for surviving if you ever find yourself in Jay’s position.

1. Trap It in a Deep, Dark Hole

In It Follows, we learn a few key things about this creepy entity: it’s invisible to others, it has a physical presence, and it seems to survive almost anything. This demon can pick things up, interact with the physical world, and even withstand bullets to the head. At the end of the original movie, Jay and her friends manage to shoot it while it’s in a swimming pool, but by the final scene, its return seems inevitable.

If bullets won’t cut it, how about a shovel? There’s no evidence in the film that the entity can teleport, which means it has to walk everywhere. Hypothetically, if you could dig a deep enough hole in some remote location, you might be able to trap it. Just make sure to have an escape plan in place—it’s not going to wait patiently while you dig!

Jay (Maika Monroe) trapped in her bedroom in 'It Follows'
Credit: Northern Lights Films / Animal Kingdom / Two Flints

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2. Hit the Road and Never Look Back

So let’s assume trapping it failed, and now you’re back to square one. Time to get out of town! As long as you’re moving, you’re buying yourself precious time. According to a rough calculation, if you drove from Los Angeles to New York (about 2,500 miles), the entity—walking at an estimated 2 mph—would take around 50 days to catch up. Then, you could just drive back to Los Angeles. A long-haul road trip might not be anyone’s idea of a relaxing escape, but if it keeps you one step ahead, it’s worth it.

That said, this strategy has a major flaw: money. Constantly hopping from one city to another isn’t cheap, especially with today’s gas prices. Not to mention, it would be challenging to explain to friends and family why you’re always on the move. But if you’re up for a nomadic lifestyle, just keep the tank full and be prepared to move at a moment’s notice.

Jay (Maika Monroe) encountering "It" in 'It Follows'
Credit: Northern Lights Films / Animal Kingdom / Two Flints

3. Book a One-Way Ticket Overseas

If a road trip sounds too risky, how about an international flight? There’s no evidence in It Follows that suggests the entity can swim, so putting an ocean between you and it might give you a solid head start. But before you get too comfortable sipping coconut water on a tropical beach, keep this in mind: director David Robert Mitchell hinted in an interview that the entity could theoretically board a plane.

But how would that work, exactly? No idea. Maybe it could sneak onto a cargo plane or blend in with other passengers. It’s hard to imagine a TSA-approved demon crossing customs, but if it’s determined, it may find a way. So while fleeing to another country could buy you time, don’t count on it as a permanent solution.

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4. The Final “Solution”

Let’s be honest—this entity is relentless, cunning, and indestructible. When every conceivable method has failed, you’re left with the least desirable option: pass the curse on to someone else as Jay’s ex-boyfriend did.

But who wants that kind of guilt? It’s not exactly the “heroic” way out, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Just make sure you know what you’re getting into—because once you’re in, the curse doesn’t break away from you that easily.

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 to Watch It Follows this Halloween

With Halloween around the corner, now’s the perfect time to rewatch It Follows. The movie is currently available on Amazon Prime Video. Starring Maika Monroe as Jay, Keir Gilchrist as Paul, and Daniel Zovatto as Greg, It Follows delivers both eerie thrills and subtle commentary on growing up and facing one’s fears—one petrifying step at a time.

As we gear up for They Follow, we can only imagine how much more intense the horror will get. Monroe’s character has already been through the wringer once, and with multiple entities potentially on the prowl, she’s going to need more than just a car and a shovel to survive.

What do you think of It Follows and the upcoming They Follow? And if you were in Jay’s shoes, how would you escape the nightmare? Let us know in the comments!

Daniel Roberts

Dan is a huge fan of Star Wars, Disney, Jurassic Park, Ghostbusters and Harry Potter, and has written for numerous entertainment websites.

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