Why did Vickers and Shaw run in a straight line from the falling ring?

Prometheus (2012)

At 1:45:00

Verdict: Guilty. 91% of viewers say this is dumb. Top defense: Panic and low visibility made the ring's direction hard to judge.

Guilty
91% dumb9% explained

905 votes

Dumbness rating

8.4/ 10(905 ratings)
Ignores obvious dangerIdiot ballTrope: Fleeing woman falls

Your verdict

Is this scene dumb, or does it make sense?

Rate how dumb

Mildly dumbThrow the remote

Rating distribution

What happens in this scene

A large ring-shaped craft crashes and rolls toward Vickers and Shaw. Both run in the direction the ring is rolling instead of moving out of its path. Shaw eventually survives by stepping aside.

The tone toggle also switches the reviews below. Contains spoilers for this scene only.

Reviews 3

quietcutFounding Critic #12Supporter10/10AI rewriteNov 11, 2026

Says dumb

Anyone who has seen a rolling object knows to move sideways. Several seconds pass in the scene where they could have done that, and the film frames it as suspense.

nopeanut_ninaSupporter9/10Oct 24, 2026

Says dumb

Panic is plausible, but there is time for at least one of them to notice. It reads as a way to produce a death rather than a mistake any person would make.

canon_keeperFounding Critic #3Supporter3/10Aug 15, 2026

Says explained

They are exhausted and running from something very large in poor visibility. I read it as fear rather than a plot flaw.

Write a review

Actually, it’s explained

Top defense
Panic and low visibility made the ring's direction hard to judge.
  • DumbScenesStaff8 months ago

    Panic and low visibility made the ring's direction hard to judge.

  • canon_keeperFounding Critic #3Supporter3 months ago

    Both characters are exhausted and injured. Fear narrows decisions.

Add your argument

Quick Fix

Fixes are written by people. The smallest change, in 200 characters or fewer, that would have fixed the scene. AI is used only for duplicate detection, length and moderation.

Change an actionAccepted fix

Vickers runs straight and Shaw dives left. The ring crushes Vickers. Same outcome, one person on screen thinks.

Would this fix it?
95% say yes
quietcutFounding Critic #12Supporter4 months ago

A newer idea

Swap a detail

Make the ring roll down a slope that funnels them into a corridor, so sideways is not an option.

Would this fix it?
73% say yes
harbor_lightsFounding Critic #58Supporter2 months ago

Suggest a fix

Also asked as

  • Why didn't they step sideways?
  • Why did Vickers run ahead of the rolling ship?