If you’ve ever watched It Follows and felt that weird chill linger long after the ending, you’re not alone. The movie sticks with you because it isn’t just a horror story — it’s a metaphor stacked inside another metaphor, wrapped in an unsettling slow-burn dread.
So let’s sit down together and break it all apart, as if we’re talking face-to-face. By the end, you’ll not only understand what It Follows is a metaphor for, but you’ll have a full list of 20 metaphors that reveal the deeper, haunting meanings behind the film.
1. It follows you like unresolved trauma
Meaning: Trauma lingers and resurfaces.
Explanation: Just like the creature, unresolved trauma appears in unexpected forms and keeps coming back until confronted.
Examples:
- She tried to move on, but her trauma still followed her.
- His past felt like footsteps behind him.
2. It creeps in like growing anxiety
Meaning: Anxiety gradually overtakes life.
Explanation: The slow, relentless movement mirrors the way anxiety builds until it becomes unavoidable.
Examples:
- Anxiety crept into her life like a shadow.
- His worries followed him everywhere.
3. It hangs over you like a looming deadline
Meaning: Pressure never stops building.
Explanation: The creature represents constant stress chasing someone’s peace.
Examples:
- The deadline chased him all week.
- Stress walked behind her like a silent figure.
4. It stalks you like generational curses
Meaning: Some burdens pass through families.
Explanation: The idea of an inherited threat reflects patterns we carry unknowingly.
Examples:
- Their family fear followed every generation.
- Past mistakes walked beside them.
5. It clings like guilt you can’t shake off
Meaning: Guilt remains long after actions occur.
Explanation: The unstoppable pursuit mirrors guilt’s ability to linger.
Examples:
- Guilt stayed on his heels.
- Her conscience followed her everywhere.
6. It whispers like fear of growing up
Meaning: The uncertainty of adulthood.
Explanation: Transitioning into adulthood brings unseen pressures that feel like they’re closing in.
Examples:
- Adulthood stalked him slowly.
- Responsibility followed her steps.
7. It hovers like social expectations
Meaning: Society’s demands weigh heavily.
Explanation: Expectations keep approaching, no matter how much someone tries to escape.
Examples:
- Expectations walked behind her.
- Pressure moved toward him like a figure in the distance.
8. It shadows you like past relationships
Meaning: Past emotional wounds linger.
Explanation: Heartache can revisit the present, just like the creature.
Examples:
- Her ex’s memory followed her.
- Heartbreak crept into his thoughts.
9. It lurks like fear of intimacy
Meaning: Deep closeness can feel risky.
Explanation: The movie uses intimacy itself as a vector for danger.
Examples:
- Intimacy walked slowly toward him.
- Vulnerability followed her around.
10. It trails behind like a secret you’re hiding
Meaning: Secrets always resurface.
Explanation: The monster reflects the fear of being exposed.
Examples:
- His secret followed him.
- Hidden truths paced behind her.
11. It moves like consequence catching up
Meaning: Every action has a price.
Explanation: The slow walk symbolizes the inevitability of consequences.
Examples:
- Consequences walked toward him.
- Her choices followed her.
12. It approaches like fear of mortality
Meaning: Everyone fears the end.
Explanation: The constant approach mirrors life’s unavoidable end.
Examples:
- Mortality stepped toward her.
- The end followed him patiently.
13. It returns like suppressed memories
Meaning: Forgotten memories resurface.
Explanation: Suppression doesn’t erase emotional weight.
Examples:
- Old memories returned to haunt her.
- His past stepped back into view.
14. It circles like regret from bad decisions
Meaning: Regrets stay with you.
Explanation: Mistakes persist much longer than expected.
Examples:
- Regret followed him for years.
- The past circled her steps.
15. It advances like a toxic relationship
Meaning: Some relationships consume slowly.
Explanation: Toxic ties keep resurfacing even when you think you’re free.
Examples:
- That relationship kept stalking him.
- Toxicity paced behind her.
16. It stalks like fear of being judged
Meaning: Judgment feels ever-present.
Explanation: People often fear criticism lurking behind every choice.
Examples:
- Judgment followed her closely.
- His fear of criticism walked behind him.
17. It creeps like self-doubt
Meaning: Doubt undermines confidence.
Explanation: Self-doubt grows slowly but powerfully.
Examples:
- Doubt stalked his dreams.
- Insecurity followed her.
18. It trails like heartbreak you thought you healed
Meaning: Emotional pain resurfaces.
Explanation: Healing isn’t linear, and past wounds can reappear.
Examples:
- Heartbreak followed her back home.
- Pain walked beside him again.
19. It shadows like fear of the unknown
Meaning: Uncertainty creates anxiety.
Explanation: Not knowing what’s coming next feels like something is following.
Examples:
- The unknown trailed behind him.
- Mystery walked toward her.
20. It stays with you like shame
Meaning: Shame is persistent.
Explanation: Shame attaches deeply and resurfaces over time.
Examples:
- Shame followed him everywhere.
- Her mistakes stayed on her heels.
Conclusion
It Follows sticks with audiences because it mirrors the fears we carry in real life. Whether it’s trauma, regret, shame, or the shadow of growing responsibility, the film transforms these invisible pressures into something we can finally see. And once we see them, we can start understanding what follows us and why.
Practical Exercise: 10 Questions and Answers
- What does the creature’s slow pace symbolize?
It represents slow-building fears like anxiety or guilt. - Which metaphor connects best to growing up?
Fear of adulthood. - What emotion reflects constant pursuit?
Shame or guilt. - Which metaphor represents choices catching up?
Consequences walking toward you. - What theme relates to intimacy in the movie?
Fear of vulnerability. - Which metaphor fits generational issues?
Family curses following you. - What does the unknown represent?
Fear of uncertainty. - Which metaphor matches suppressed memories?
Memories returning to haunt you. - What feeling mirrors the creature’s persistence?
Unresolved trauma. - What does heartbreak symbolize in the film?
Pain that resurfaces over time.
