History Main / DeadManWriting

** Due to that formula, they consist of stunningly accurate predictions of the future, leading up to one of the classic OhShit Moments in sci-fi literature, Seldon listing off events that aren't occurring. Don't worry, though, [[ThereIsAnother there is a Second Foundation...]].

* ''The Caine Mutiny'' has this, with the main character's father.
* There's a complicated example in the interactive hologram from the movie ''I, Robot''.

* In ''Saw IV'', Jigsaw goes to an insane length to be sure nobody can find one of his messages until after he's dead: he coats a tape with wax and swallows it. It's only discovered when his body's being autopsied.

* In ''Milk'', the narration consists of the title character recording cassette tapes that should be listened to in the event of his assassination.

* ''{{Film/Serenity}}'':

* Hari Seldon from IsaacAsimov's ''Foundation'' series recorded a series of messages to be played each time the Foundation hit one of the mathematically predicted "Seldon Crises". Even the first one was revealed decades after his death.
** Due to that formula, they consist of stunningly accurate predictions of the future, leading up to one of the classic Oh Shit Moments in sci-fi literature, Seldon listing off events that aren't occurring. Don't worry, though, [[ThereIsAnother there is a Second Foundation...]].

* This is the entire plot of ''Thirteen Reasons Why''.

* This is the entire plot of ((Thirteen Reasons Why)).

* Roald Dahl's novel {{Matilda}} plays with this trope when [[spoiler:Matilda uses her telekinetic powers to use a piece of chalk to write a message supposedly left by Miss Honey's father's ghost for The Trunchbull. The message goes something like, "[[AC:Agatha I am watching you Agatha. Agatha this is Magnus this is Magnus.]](Cue the Trunchbull shouting, "No, it can't be Marcus!") [[AC:It IS Magnus and you'd better believe it. Agatha give my Jenny back her house. Give my Jenny her wages give my Jenny the house then get out of here. If you don't, I will come and get you I will come and get you like you got me. I am watching you Agatha."]] ]]

* Roald Dahl's novel {{Matilda}} plays with this trope when [[spoiler:Matilda uses her telekinetic powers to use a piece of chalk to write a message supposedly left by Miss Honey's father's ghost for The Trunchbull. The message goes something like, "[[AC:Agatha I am watching you Agatha. Agatha this is Magnus this is Magnus.]](Cue the Trunchbull shouting, "No, it can't be Marcus!") [[AC:It IS Magnus and you'd better believe it. Agatha give my Jenny back her house. Give my Jenny her wages give my Jenny the house then get out of here. If you don't, I will come and get you I will come and get you like you got me. I am watching you Agatha."]]

* Roald Dahl's novel {{Matilda}} plays with this trope when [[spoiler:Matilda uses her telekinetic powers to use a piece of chalk to write a message supposedly left by Miss Honey's father's ghost for The Trunchbull. The message goes something like, "Agatha, I am watching you, Agatha. Agatha, this is Marcus, this is Marcus. (Cue the Trunchbull shouting, "No, it can't be Marcus!") It is Marcus and you'd better believe it. Agatha, give my Jenny back her house. Give my Jenny her wages, give my Jenny the house, then get out of here. If you don't, I will come and get you. I will come and get you like you got me. I am watching you, Agatha."]]

* In ''{{Torchwood}}'' Tosh makes a VideoWill in case of her death.
** It's not actually a will but it is a serious TearJerker.

* Parodied in MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail when King Arthur and his knights read a message regarding Castle Aaaaaaagh. Maybe he was dictating?

* In the Ranma1/2 manga, Nabiki tried to find some way to frame Ranma in retaliation for him destroying her concert ticket. She made it look like he killed her and wrote the words "Ranma did it" on the floor.

* At the end of ''HarryPotterAndTheHalfBloodPrince'', Harry and Dumbledore discover a taunting note like this written for Voldemort by someone with the initials R.A.B.

[[AC:{{NewspaperComics}}]]

* ''{{Film/Serenity}}'': The Operative runs Mr. Universe through with a sword, but makes the mistake of leaving him alone before he actually dies. Mr. Universe takes the chance to record a message for Mal, telling him where he can find a secret back-up broadcast system. Unfortunately, the Operative comes back after Mal has triggered the message, and hears it too...

* Mary's letter in the end of ''{{Silent Hill 2}}''.

* Guatemalan Attorney [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxZptUp9a44 Rodrigo Rosenberg]]. It's understandable how it ended up in the right hands: he made it for the entire country and was uploaded to YouTube.
** This could be counted as a subversion, the following UN investigation ultimately concluded that Mr. Rosenberg had arranged for his own murder.