In reply to nw:
Not so much a tired plot, more a tired cinematic technique device that you see again and again is:
1) lone person hears a noise in the darkest room in a scary house
2) person goes to investigate noise
3) music is ramped up to build the tension
4) person traces noise to cupboard, approaches door
5) music is ramped up even further
6) viewer expects monster / psycho to leap out of cupboard
7) lone person opens door, discovers noise is caused by the family cat
8) person (and viewer) breathes sigh of relief, music is ramped down
9) person says "oh Mr Tiddles, you scared me!"
10) person turns around to head out of scary room and...
11) BANG walks immediately into monster / psycho / Alien
You can normally spot the outcome at around step 4