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In Jurassic Park (1993) when the T-Rex breaks free from the cage, the two kids are alone in the car.

The T-Rex is interested in the Grant/Malcolm car, but Lex turns on a flashlight and attracts the T-Rex.

Why does she turn on the flashlight?

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3
  • 5
    So that they could have scene where the creature's face is illuminated by a flashlight
    – Strawberry
    Jun 9, 2021 at 11:32
  • 4
    Darkness is scary. Light is good. They are kids, they aren't governed by logic at this point and don't know any better.
    – Polygnome
    Jun 9, 2021 at 13:37
  • 1993…..man. Time flies. I remember when I was 8 and saw the trailers for that film….wow.
    – MissouriSpartan
    Jun 11, 2021 at 2:26

2 Answers 2

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39

What is the intent of Lex?

She has no intent...she's just looking for anything as the script makes clear..

Lex is rummaging around in the back cargo area, looking for something, anything. She finds a flashlight.

Why does she turn on the flashlight?

Because that's what you do with a flashlight and she doesn't know any different or that it will attract the T-Rex.

LEX
I'm sorry - - I'm sorry - -

TIM
Turn it off, Lex! Turn it off!

Tim climbs over the seat and joins Lex.

TIM (cont'd)
Where is the button then?

LEX
I don't know, I don't know. I'm sorry - -

TIM
Why did you do this?

LEX
I don't know! I'm sorry!

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5
  • Exactly. Logic isn't really at play here - they're young kids and the only adult in the car just bailed on them, so they'd be even more terrified and scrambling to do something, anything, to scare the T-Rex or otherwise improve their situation.
    – BruceWayne
    Jun 10, 2021 at 18:14
  • 3
    Yeah, the answer to "why did a frightened child in the dark turn on a flashlight?" should be pretty obvious.
    – RonJohn
    Jun 10, 2021 at 19:45
  • This scene is reminiscent to me of the stupidity of the design GenTec put into the park (which I guess is the point of the plot). The Explorers should have had their gas engines kept in place for emergencies so a qualified guest or a staff member can drive it back to the exhibition center. Say in the event of a track system failure like what happened in the film. The gas engines would automatically start and a guest behind the wheel could shift into D and the vehicles could be driven freely to safety.
    – MissouriSpartan
    Jun 11, 2021 at 2:33
  • I think this is right - not only is it what you'd do when you got a flashlight but if you're looking for something you'd want to illuminate the area.
    – Phlegon_of_Tralles
    Jun 14, 2021 at 17:00
  • Not only that, but they really should have a back-up generator that would keep the fence electrafied and cars moving if the power goes out. Am I Right?
    – Nate Dawg
    Oct 13, 2021 at 17:03
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They are kids and Gennaro has left them alone in the car. They didn't know what to do.

So they looked for a way to call for help from Dr. Grant or Malcolm. You can also hear Lex calling Dr. Grant's name in a low voice due to fear. So, they used the flashlight to signal them but she didn't know that it would attract the T-Rex.

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