Death by bladed weapon is frequently portrayed as being more instantaneous than it is in real life. Whether it's a knife flying into someone's head, someone literally being stabbed In the Back, a Slashed Throat, a gash across the chest, or an unexpected dagger strike against advancing enemy, death is often portrayed as instantaneous, with the victim collapsing immediately, not even able to breathe for a second more. It may even take a few seconds for other characters to realize that death has occurred.