It Follows 2017 delivers relentless tension as Jay and her friends face an unstoppable supernatural force that never truly disappears. This horror film deepens the mystery of the curse while showing how each character handles fear, guilt, and survival.
The following breakdown highlights who dies, who endures, and how the curse reshapes the group across the narrative, supported by a detailed summary and focused analysis.
| Name | Status After the Curse | Key Turning Point | Final Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Hannigan | Alive at start, dead later | Receives the curse after a one-night stand | Killed by the entity in the cornfield |
| Paul Gardner | Alive at start, dead later | Tries to outrun the curse and hide | Stabbed and killed in his family’s home |
| Yara | Alive at start, dead later | Stephan gives her the curse to spare Jay | Dies in a car crash as the entity approaches |
| Stephan How | Alive at start, dead later | Passes the curse to Yara and later to others | Killed in the hospital corridor by the entity |
| Jay Height | Survivor with transferred curse | Accepts the curse from her ex-boyfriend | Carries the entity forward, continuing the cycle |
| Sully | Alive at film end | Initially dismissive, later protective of Jay | Escapes with Jay, uncertain if next transfer occurs |
The Ones Who Do Not Make It
Greg Hannigan
Greg’s fate establishes the film’s rule that no one is safe after the curse transfers. His death in an isolated cornfield signals that running only delays the inevitable, reinforcing the tension that defines It Follows 2017 storytelling.
Paul Gardner
Paul barricades himself in his family’s house, believing safety and distance will protect him. The entity’s ability to bypass locks and windows illustrates that escape is an illusion, and he is killed in a tense nighttime sequence.
Yara and Stephan
Yara and Stephan attempt to shield Jay by taking the curse themselves. Their deaths, including Yara’s car crash and Stephan’s brutal hospital attack, show that the curse corrupts every relationship it touches and punishes altruistic sacrifices.
Survivors and New Carriers
Jay Height becomes the central survivor, absorbing the curse after her ex-boyfriend passes it to her through sex. Her journey drives the tension, as every intimate moment becomes a potential last encounter with the looming figure.
Sully, Jay’s protective friend, survives the film’s climax and walks away with her. While viewers see them escape the immediate threat, the open ending suggests the curse may continue through Jay, leaving the cycle unresolved for anyone she chooses to involve later.
Symbolism and Motif in the Deaths
The deaths in It Follows 2017 are not random; they emphasize themes of inescapable guilt, sexual responsibility, and inherited trauma. Each victim confronts the entity in moments of vulnerability, and their fates stress that hiding or denial does not break the chain.
Locations such as the cornfield, the family home, and the hospital corridor turn everyday spaces into traps, making the curse feel present in familiar environments. This approach deepens the horror and ensures that the question of who dies stays connected to broader emotional consequences rather than simple shock value.
Key Takeaways from the Deaths
- No main character is guaranteed survival, which intensifies suspense throughout the film.
- The curse transfers through intimacy, linking horror to themes of sex and responsibility.
- Every death reinforces the idea that running does not solve an inescapable problem.
- Survivors like Jay and Sully carry uncertainty, suggesting danger follows them beyond the screen.
- The pattern of deaths highlights generational trauma and the difficulty of breaking harmful cycles.
FAQ
Reader questions
Does Jay die in It Follows 2017?
No, Jay survives the film, but she transfers the curse to Sully, ensuring the threat continues beyond her immediate danger.
What happens to Greg and Paul in the movie?
Both Greg and Paul are killed by the entity after they become carriers, demonstrating that no location or plan can guarantee safety.
How do Yara and Stephan die?
Yara dies in a car crash while Stephan is attacked in a hospital, showing that the curse reaches victims through different situations and timing.
Is the curse ever broken by the end of the film?
The curse is not broken; it shifts to Jay and then to Sully, leaving the cycle open and reinforcing the film’s themes of ongoing dread.