Buzz
There's no law that requires films or TV shows to be truthful. This becomes a significant issue because it allows filmmakers to weave elaborate falsehoods. Some movies and series confidently present information that is entirely inaccurate and could even be dangerous. Picture a paleontologist in a movie claiming that standing still makes you invisible to a T. rex—utterly amusing but completely untrue. Here are ten times movies and TV shows misled us with big lies.
10. Man on Fire (2004)
Falsehood: You can casually walk away from an exploding car bomb
In the film Man on Fire, Denzel Washington portrays John Creasy, a private security contractor hired to protect a young girl. When she is kidnapped in Mexico City, he embarks on a vengeful spree, killing gang members and corrupt officials. At one point, he even ties a police officer to a car filled with explosives.
The car detonates, and Denzel Washington strolls away from the explosion as if nothing is happening behind him. According to the National Counterterrorism Center, you would need to be at least 1,900 feet (580 meters) away from a vehicle-borne IED blast to be completely out of danger.
9. Firefly (2002)
Falsehood: Any fabric can serve as material for a space suit
Firefly is a TV series featuring a rebellious crew aboard a small spaceship, journeying to uncharted corners of the galaxy while evading both the authorities and rival factions. The space suit featured in the show is arguably the worst design ever seen.
The space suit appears to be made from the same fabric used to craft jeans. It essentially resembles a construction worker’s outfit. To make matters worse, early in the series, you can see Captain Mal Reynolds floating through space in one of these “construction” space suits. It’s no wonder the show failed.
8. John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
Falsehood: Gun silencers completely silence gunshots
The movie John Wick: Chapter 2 is a neo-noir action thriller following John Wick, a retired hitman who is forced back into the violent underworld he left behind. In one memorable, yet humorous scene, John Wick engages in a gunfight on a subway, with bystanders completely unaware of the chaos, as both men are using silencers on their pistols.
In reality, silencers or suppressors do not make firearms silent, contrary to how they're depicted in movies. These devices only reduce the noise to some extent. Modern suppressors can lower the noise by about 14.3–43 decibels, depending on several factors. On average, a silencer reduces the sound by about 30 decibels, which is similar to the sound reduction achieved when shooting with ear protection. Silencers work by slowing the release of propellant gases and converting some of the noise energy into heat. They do not eliminate the sound completely.
7. Snakes on a Plane (2006)
Falsehood: You can remove snake venom by sucking it out with your mouth
The film Snakes on a Plane is a horror thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson. The story follows a witness being escorted by FBI agents to testify against a gang leader. In an effort to stop the witness, the gang boss arranges for a crate filled with snakes to be released in the plane’s cargo hold, hoping the flight won't reach Los Angeles International Airport. The snakes are set loose mid-flight, and they begin attacking the passengers.
In one dramatic scene, Elsa Pataky's character attempts to suck the venom out of a child’s hand after they’ve been bitten by a snake. While this may seem like a common movie trope, it’s actually ineffective in real life. Attempting to suck out snake venom can inadvertently transfer some of the venom into your mouth and increase the risk of infection by introducing bacteria into the wound. Using your mouth or a suction device, like the Sawyer Extractor pump, to remove venom simply doesn't work in reality.
6. Limitless (2011)
Falsehood: Humans only use a tiny portion of their brains
Limitless is a 2011 American sci-fi thriller. The film follows Eddie Morra, a struggling writer in New York City. Eddie meets Vernon, the brother of his ex-wife, who introduces him to a new nootropic drug called “NZT-48” to aid his creativity. After taking the drug, Eddie gains perfect memory and the ability to process information at incredible speeds. The drug completely transforms his life for the better.
The key message conveyed in the movie is that humans only use a small portion of their brains and require a stimulant or drug to unlock the unused capacity. This is a misconception. Neurologists confirm that it's a myth that humans only utilize a small fraction of their brains. In reality, nearly every part of the brain is active, with most areas working constantly. In fact, humans use nearly all of their brain throughout the day, even when sleeping, with areas such as the frontal cortex and somatosensory regions remaining active.
5. Bladerunner (1982)
Falsehood: A photograph can reveal hidden details
The movie Bladerunner (1982) is a science fiction classic that has achieved cult status. One scene stands out for its strangeness, which we find captivating. In this moment, Deckard discovers a collection of photos while searching through Leon’s apartment. One particular photo catches his eye. He places the photo into the Esper machine, and soon begins to see previously unnoticed details—ranging from subtle elements to entire figures.
While this concept may work in a movie, scientifically it’s not feasible because creating something from nothing is impossible. With modern technology, if data is hidden within an image due to some flaw, it may be made visible under specific circumstances using the correct scientific method. However, if the information doesn’t exist in the original photograph, no technology can generate new data from it.
4. Raising Cain (1992)
Falsehood: Chloroform instantly knocks people out
A chloroform-drenched rag over someone’s face is often used in films as a quick excuse to remove a character from a scene or even the entire plot. While it’s frequently used in kidnapping or robbery scenarios, the truth is that chloroform doesn’t work the way movies depict it.
In Raising Cain, chloroform knocks out a driver in less than a minute. In reality, it can take up to five minutes for chloroform to have any effect. This significantly undermines the myth of chloroform as a fast and foolproof kidnapping tool.
3. The Big Blue (1988)
False Claim: You can hold your breath underwater for as long as you want
The movie The Big Blue is a fictionalized account of the rivalry and friendship between two top freedivers. The story portrays these two athletes as being able to hold their breath underwater for extended periods. There's a memorable scene in which they even share a glass of wine while submerged.
In reality, freediving has its limits. William Trubridge, a New Zealand freediver, made history by diving 121 meters without assistance, a feat that took just over four minutes. This highlights the harsh reality of human breath-holding limits. Even those who manage to hold their breath longer do so in highly controlled conditions, with immediate rescue plans in place in case of trouble.
2. 127 Hours (2010)
Myth: You must wait 24 hours before filing a missing person report
The lie portrayed in the film 127 Hours is especially harmful because it is based on a true story. The movie chronicles the ordeal of Aron Ralston, an American climber who got trapped in Utah’s Bluejohn Canyon in 2003 while canyoneering. He spent five days trapped before managing to escape.
In a pivotal moment in the movie, Aron mentions a 24-hour waiting period before the authorities could file a missing persons report. While this might seem accurate in cinematic storytelling, it's completely untrue in real life. There's no mandatory waiting period to file a missing persons report, and the sooner you alert the authorities, the better the odds are of the missing person being found alive and well.
1. Jurassic Park (1993)
Myth: You can avoid a Tyrannosaurus rex by standing still
In Jurassic Park, we learned to fear the mighty T. rex, but it also fed us a major and dangerous misconception. In one scene, as the T. rex goes on a rampage, Dr. Alan Grant advises Lex that the key to surviving is to stand perfectly still, assuring her the giant dinosaur won't notice them.
This advice is incorrect, as real paleontologists have debunked Dr. Grant's statement. The Tyrannosaurus rex could see just fine, whether its prey was in motion or still. In fact, evidence suggests that the T. rex had exceptionally sharp vision, possibly surpassing that of modern hawks or eagles. Thankfully, though, this is a theory you are unlikely to test in real life.
