History Main / SpringLoadedCorpse

[[folder:Film -- Animation]]

[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* Used in many horror movies, more prevalent in the B-movies of the genre. Happens at the start of ''Film/{{Zombieland}}'' to illustrate the main character's point during his lecture about the importance of making sure a zombie is dead.

* Done by the cannibal corpse in episode 7x09 of ''Series/{{Supernatural}}''

* The Cryptkeeper does this in the opening of ''Series/TalesFromTheCrypt''.

* Many, many, ''many'' SurvivalHorror games.
** The FirstPersonShooter ones still tend to [[SpottingTheThread trip the IFF gun reticle]].

* Used with the headcrab zombies in the ''VideoGame/HalfLife'' series.
* ''VideoGame/{{Penumbra}}: Black Plague'' has this near the end of the game. [[spoiler: A mutated corpse is lying on a table while you mix up an antidote to the virus infecting you. Once you take the antidote, the virus infects the body on the table and attacks]]
* ''VideoGame/CliveBarkersJericho'' does this once, when Lichthammer, a female undead Nazi officer possesses a dead body and grabs your character. Combines it with PressXToNotDie.
* This happens sometimes with enemies in ''VideoGame/{{Kuon}}'', who will spontaneously come back to life and start attacking if you're not careful. Hint: the most effective way to make sure they're truly dead is to step on them.
* A version of this occurs in ''VideoGame/{{BioShock|1}}'' with Sander Cohen. His 'art' is actually corpses cast in plaster, which is creepy enough in itself in that they bleed when you strike them. However at some point "statues" you've seen throughout disappear and the splicers inside attack you.
** Later in the game, Splicers start playing dead and attacking when you get too close.
** The Minerva's Den DLC for ''VideoGame/BioShock2'' has Splicers encased in ice, some of which will break free and attack when you get too close.
* In ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion'', enemy zombies and harmless corpses in the scenery use basically the same models and textures, but you'll always find zombies in their animate state. That is, until the ExpansionPack came along, and the developers started using the similarity to their advantage in some dungeons with zombies that don't get up and attack you until you get close.. It's almost certain to scare the shit out of you the first time it happens.
** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', some Draugr lying in the alcoves of tombs are animate, and some are just lootable corpses; ideally the only way to tell the difference would be with a Detect Life/Detect Dead spell. However, the animate ones [[ConspicuouslyLightPatch look noticeably different]] and [[InterfaceSpoiler don't offer a "Search" interaction]] when you examine them, which means by the time you're encountering high-level Draugr you won't be falling for the trap any more.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Manhunt}}'', a bodybag is in the asylum next to some painkillers, if approached the bodybag shoots upright before sinking back down, it turns out it really was spring loaded.
* ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime2Echoes'' has Samus exploring a GFMC base that is filled with Marines corpses. Once Samus activates a device at one end of the base, Ing start possessing the bodies, which Samus must destroy.
* ''VideoGame/{{Avernum}}'' has a number of scripted events where getting near to or examining bodies will spawn undead creatures to attack you.

* Similar to the Bioshock example, ''VideoGame/CondemnedCriminalOrigins'' has the mannequins in the department store. Some of them actually are mannequins, some of them are enemies who are just waiting for the right moment to attack you. Of course, if you just go through whacking everything out of pure fear...
* In ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'' there is a ''literal'' Spring Loaded Corpse in the form of the animatronic Springtrap from the third game, who is a ''human corpse'' filled with animatronic spring parts. [[spoiler: He's the corpse of the Murderer who caused the suits to be possessed by the dead children, he got into a spring suit to hide from their ghosts and it collapsed in on him, ItMakesSenseInContext]].
* As of ''VideoGame/Fallout4'', Feral Ghouls are now able to play dead. This will probably take you by surprise when a cymbal monkey toy goes off and they all suddenly rise to attack.

* Franchise/DeadSpace tends to do this ''ad nauseum''. There is exactly ''one'' "dead" necromorph in the entire first game that actually ''is'' dead, and it's near the end of the game. The rest are faking it. Since necromorphs are quite distinctive from human corpses, it's very unlikely to trick anyone. On higher difficulties, though, necromorphs eventually start getting smart enough to play dead ''in the middle of combat'' by pretending to die when shot, then attacking you if you get near them again. If it drops an item after being shot, then you know it's really dead, but not all necromorphs drop items when killed, and it's common for groups of necromorphs to all die very close to each other...

* A version of this occurs in ''VideoGame/{{Bioshock|1}}'' with Sander Cohen. His 'art' is actually corpses cast in plaster, which is creepy enough in itself in that they bleed when you strike them. However at some point "statues" you've seen throughout disappear and the splicers inside attack you.

** The Minerva's Den [=DLC=] has Splicers encased in ice, some of which will break free and attack when you get too close.

** In ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil'', the corpse of [[spoiler:Forrest, who comes back from the dead when you pick up a nearby grenade launcher,]] and the Crimsom Heads from [[FanNickname REmake]], which are normal zombies coming back after you kill them and leave them for a while (unless you destroy the corpses with fire or a headshot).

* Happens a ''lot'' in the climax of ''Film/{{Poltergeist}}'', particularly when the Freelings' backyard starts disgorging en masse the corpses that had been left behind when the cemetaries were moved. They're not zombies, though - just anger props for the spirits.

* In ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'' there is a ''literal'' Spring Loaded Corpse in the form of the animatronic Springtrap from the third game, who is a ''human corpse'' filled with animatronic spring parts. [[spoiler: Hes the corpse of the Murderer who caused the suits to be possessed by the dead children, he got into a spring suit to hide from their ghosts and it collapsed in on him, ItMakesSenseInContext]].
* As of ''VideoGame/Fallout4'', Feral Ghouls are now able to play dead. This will probaby take you by surprise when a cymbal monkey toy goes off and they all suddenly rise to attack.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

[[folder:Film]]
* Used in many horror movies, more prevalent in the B-movies of the genre.
** Happens at the start of ''Film/{{Zombieland}}'' to illustrate the main character's point during his lecture about the importance of making sure a zombie is dead.
* Happens a ''lot'' in the climax of ''Film/{{Poltergeist}}'', particularly when the Freelings' backyard starts disgorging en masse the corpses that had been left behind when the cemetaries were moved. They're not zombies, though - just anger props for the spirits.

[[folder:LiveActionTV]]

* done by the cannibal corpse in episode 7x09 of ''Series/{{Supernatural}}''

* This happens sometimes with enemies in ''{{Kuon}}'', who will spontaneously come back to life and start attacking if you're not careful. Hint: the most effective way to make sure they're truly dead is to step on them.

* As of ''{{VideoGame/Fallout 4}}'', Feral Ghouls are now able to play dead. This will probaby take you by surprise when a cymbal monkey toy goes off and they all suddenly rise to attack.

* Franchise/DeadSpace tends to do this ''ad nauseum''. It gets predictable after a while. Players tend to dismember every corpse they come across.
** There's even a particular monster that has this as a power it can give to corpses.
** To avoid wasting ammo, you can use kinesis on each corpse instead of a weapon. If you can't move the body, then it is spring loaded.
** Of course, the necromorphs get GenreSavvy on harder difficulties, they'll attack you, then ''fake dying'' when shot, only to attack when you go to loot them.
** A large portion of, if not all necromorphs also have very distinctive character models when compared to plain old corpses. If it has clothes, it is ''probably'' safe.

* An episode of ''TheGreatestAmericanHero'' had a murder victim literally pop back to motion, reanimated by the same aliens that gave Ralph his suit. He didn't attack anyone, though, just delivered a message to Ralph and Bill.
* done by the cannibal corpse in episode 7x09 of ''Supernatural''

* The Cryptkeeper does this in the opening of ''TalesFromTheCrypt''.

-->-- '''{{Helloween4545}}''' on [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_M5n5FFMr0&feature=g-all-u&context=G2f0dd81FAAAAAAAAPAA#t=11m44s morgue corpses]].

* In {{Manhunt}} a bodybag is in the asylum next to some painkillers, if approached the bodybag shoots upright before sinking back down, it turns out it really was spring loaded.
* ''MetroidPrime'' ''2: Echoes'' has Samus exploring a GFMC base that is filled with Marines corpses. Once Samus activates a device at one end of the base, Ing start possessing the bodies, which Samus must destroy.
* ''{{Avernum}}'' has a number of scripted events where getting near to or examining bodies will spawn undead creatures to attack you.
* Played with in the hands-on demo of ''{{ZombiU}}''. During a dramatic horror buildup players notice a corpse lying in the corner. [[spoiler: Players, anticipating it being spring-loaded and focusing on it instead of their surroundings, are shocked when a screaming zombie jumps out of a seemingly innocent locker next to them]].
* Similar to the Bioshock example, ''Videogame/{{Condemned}}: Criminal Origins'' has the mannequins in the department store. Some of them actually are mannequins, some of them are enemies who are just waiting for the right moment to attack you. Of course, if you just go through whacking everything out of pure fear...

* As of {{VideoGame/Fallout 4}}, Feral Ghouls are now able to play dead. This will probaby take you by surprise when a cymbal monkey toy goes off and they all suddenly rise to attack.

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<<|HorrorTropes|>>

* Similar to the Bioshock example, CondemnedCriminalOrigins has the mannequins in the department store. Some of them actually are mannequins, some of them are enemies who are just waiting for the right moment to attack you. Of course, if you just go through whacking everything out of pure fear...

* As of ''VideoGame/Fallout4'', Feral Ghouls are now able to play dead. This will probaby take you by surprise when a cymbal monkey toy goes off and they all suddenly rise to attack.

* As of Fallout 4, Feral Ghouls are now able to play dead. This will probaby take you by surprise when a cymbal monkey toy goes off and they all suddenly rise to attack.

-> "Oh but this totally happens all the time, you wouldn't believe the amount of times I've seen dead bodies flop on the floor like that at work. They just fly out, they got like, rocket fuel stuffed up their ass. They go: "Whee! I'm dead! Kaboom!"

* In ''[[Videogame/FiveNightsAtFreddy's]]'' there is a ''literal'' Spring Loaded Corpse in the form of the animatronic Springtrap from the third game, who is a ''human corpse'' filled with animatronic spring parts. [[spoiler: Hes the corpse of the Murderer who caused the suits to be possessed by the dead children, he got into a spring suit to hide from their ghosts and it collapsed in on him, ItMakesMoreSenseInContext.]]

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* Subverted, and also played somewhat literally in ''Manga/{{Uzumaki}}''. In one of the more odd chapters, not entirely focused around spirals, a young man has a habit for leaping out of nowhere to scare people. In the end, his habits get him run over by a car. After he's dead and buried, he surprises the main character by leaping out of his grave, but he is, in fact, actually dead, and his leaping is a product of a spring from the car that got lodged into his body as he died. Well, [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane maybe]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Film]]
* Used in many horror movies, more prevalent in the B-movies of the genre.
** Happens at the start of ''Film/{{Zombieland}}'' to illustrate the main character's point during his lecture about the importance of making sure a zombie is dead.
* Happens a ''lot'' in the climax of ''Film/{{Poltergeist}}'', particularly when the Freelings' backyard starts disgorging en masse the corpses that had been left behind when the cemetaries were moved. They're not zombies, though - just anger props for the spirits.
* Invoked in ''Anime/TheCastleOfCagliostro'', with an apparently slumbering [[spoiler: Lupin and Zenigata]] turning out to be skeletons clad in their suits that jump up and surprise some would-be assassins. However, rather than being reanimated, these corpses are [[spoiler: merely on wires]].
[[/folder]]


[[folder:LiveActionTelevision]]
* An episode of ''TheGreatestAmericanHero'' had a murder victim literally pop back to motion, reanimated by the same aliens that gave Ralph his suit. He didn't attack anyone, though, just delivered a message to Ralph and Bill.
* done by the cannibal corpse in episode 7x09 of ''Supernatural''
* Happens to [[spoiler: Hershel]] in the third season premiere of ''Series/TheWalkingDead''
* The Cryptkeeper does this in the opening of ''TalesFromTheCrypt''.

[[/folder]]

* In ''[[Videogame/FivenightsatFreddy's3]]'' there is a ''literal'' Spring Loaded Corpse in the form of the animatronic Springtrap, who is a ''human corpse'' filled with animatronic spring parts. [[spoiler: Hes the corpse of the Murderer who caused the suits to be possessed by the dead children, he got into a spring suit to hide from their ghosts and it collapsed in on him, It Makes More Sense In Context.]]

* In ''{{Videogame/FivenightsatFreddy's3}}'' there is a ''literal'' Spring Loaded Corpse in the form of the animatronic Springtrap, who is a ''human corpse'' filled with animatronic spring parts. [[spoiler: Hes the corpse of the Murderer who caused the suits to be possessed by the dead children, he got into a spring suit to hide from their ghosts and it collapsed in on him, It Makes More Sense In Context.]]

* In ''{{FivenightsatFreddy's3}}'' there is a ''literal'' Spring Loaded Corpse in the form of the animatronic Springtrap, who is a ''human corpse'' filled with animatronic spring parts. [[spoiler: Hes the corpse of the Murderer who caused the suits to be possessed by the dead children, he got into a spring suit to hide from their ghosts and it collapsed in on him, ItMakesMoreSenseInContext.]]

** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', some Draugr lying in the alcoves of tombs are animate, and some are just lootable corpses; ideally the only way to tell the difference would be with a Detect Life/Detect Dead spell. However, the animate ones [[ConspicuousLightPatch look noticeably different]] and [[InterfaceSpoiler don't offer a "Search" interaction]] when you examine them, which means by the time you're encountering high-level Draugr you won't be falling for the trap any more.

Related to PlayingPossum, which is typically used outside of a horror context.