For a while I just thought these characters were just clueless, but more recently I realized I had a decided advantage. Not only do I benefit from seeing things the characters see, I also benefit from skipping of the dull hours of irrelevant information that have nothing to do with the story. Because I only see important event, I know that events I see must be important. (For example the above character has probably wonder off into the woods several times before, and not been brutally murdered by a demonically possessed piñata. Why should she be this time?)

Finally, and I most importantly, I know that this is a movie (or TV show or novel).

This idea came to a head not long ago when I was watching Heroes, and I actually thought to myself "How can you not realize that you have a super-powered doppelganger who sometimes takes control of your body."

Well... let's think about it. How often in my life do I consider that a super powered doppelganger has taken control of my body?

Okay, there was that one time. But I don't want to talk about it.