From The Fifth Element to Aliens: 5 Movies When Chekhov’s Gun Hit the Bullseye

There is a notorious movie principle that says every element of the plot must be there for a reason, while the details that are unnecessary to the plot should be removed. Some films follow this rule in a way they put some hidden easter eggs to call on them in the most important scene to the audience’s excitement.

Here are 5 movies where Chekhov’s guns shot us right in the heart.

1. Shaun of the Dead ( 2004) - The Gun

Edgar Wright’s zombie comedy is probably the best example of using this technique. Here Chekhov’s gun appears to be a real gun that is hanging on the wall of a local bar. It is introduced in the movie’s beginning and is of much help to the main characters in the climax, as they are trapped in the bar and surrounded by the army of zombies.

2. The Fifth Element (1997) - The Match

Here comes quite a subtle call back to the previous events of the movie. In the first act we see Bruce Willis’ Dallas in his search for matches to light his smoke, and he finds two of them and hides one in his pocket for the future. However, when it’s time to save the world by activating elemental stones, the very match is used to light up a fire stone.

3. Back to the Future ( 1985) - The Clock Tower

This cultish 80s’ sci-fi is full of Chekhov’s guns, but this one is the most notable one. Early in the movie, Marty encounters a woman volunteering to save the town’s clock tower that was struck by lightning 30 years ago. The boy recalls it right when he is sent back to 1955 when the tower was in use, and that’s why he managed to return to 1985.

4. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019) - The Flamethrower

Quentin Tarantino is truly a master of clever allusions, and it’s proved by his latest movie. Leonardo DiCaprio ’s Rick Dalton keeps lots of props in his house, including the flamethrower. In the film’s gory finale he takes it to incinerate the Manson family’s intruder that broke into his pool while he was completely unaware of the attack.

5. Aliens (1986) - The Power Loader

To those who saw the first Alien movie it comes as no surprise that Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley is a witty genius capable of going through a lot of challenges. She proves it to her new crew by expertly using a power loader, and this machine helps her when she saves Newt by beating a massive Xenomorph in the suspenseful finale.

Source: Reddit