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Certain films have the ability to truly startle their viewers, while others merely strive for that effect. There are numerous strategies to accomplish this; one common method is through an abundance of graphic violence, and another is by taking the storyline in unexpected directions. For example, the surprise ending, a technique masterfully employed by Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone as far back as the late ’50s and ’60s, and later popularized again in the late ’90s by M. Night Shyamalan and his hit film The Sixth Sense. Surprise endings remain a staple, and they can still be impactful. Here are what I consider some of the most striking surprise endings in cinematic history.

It’s worth mentioning that the timing of the twist in the film didn’t affect its impact. Of course, they can’t be blatantly apparent right from the start, like the twist in “Shutter Island”. Here are some movie twists that have left a lasting impression on me. Keep in mind, there will be spoilers for many movies ahead!

Oldboy‘s final reveal

Park Chan-wook’s movie “Oldboy” remains impactful till now. This masterfully woven neo-noir thriller is hard to ignore due to its craftsmanship. The narrative revolves around Oh Dae-su, who gets locked up in a solitary room by an enigmatic figure for fifteen long years. Upon his release, Oh Dae-su embarks on a quest to uncover the face behind his captor, which eventually leads him to Mi-do, a talented sushi chef with whom he forms a romantic bond.

To put it simply, Dae-su’s kidnapper employed hypnosis as a crucial part of his plot. This connection is pivotal and surprising – Dae-su’s daughter, Mi-do, is involved. The plot bears resemblance to the film ‘Matchstick Men’, but with an additional shocking sexual angle. However, compared to the parentage twist in ‘Matchstick Men’, the revelation in ‘Oldboy’ surpassed it in terms of emotional impact on viewers.

Stream Oldboy on Netflix.

The Death of Casey Becker in Scream

Wes Craven’s “Scream” spawned a series that remains vital today. Despite the power of certain follow-ups, nothing can surpass the original. From start to finish, it’s nearly flawless.

The initial scene featuring Drew Barrymore leaves an indelible impact, as it’s surprising to see the grown-up star of “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” meet a tragic end so quickly. On the poster, her name and face were not suggestive of such a grisly fate. The scene is prolonged, intense, superbly acted, and serves as an homage to Janet Leigh’s early exit in “Psycho”.

Stream Scream on Max.

Jamie Becomes the Killer in Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers

Halloween 4: The Resurgence of Michael Myers” – A Forgotten Horror Masterpiece

In this movie, we delve into the life of Jamie Lloyd, the daughter of Laurie Strode from the initial two films, who is played by Jamie Lee Curtis. Throughout the film, we develop a connection with young Jamie. However, it’s a pity that subsequent sequels disregarded the ending, as it was quite remarkable.

The climax appears to have finally vanquished Michael Myers, but just when you think it’s all over, the franchise introduces its most daring concept at the very end.

Downstairs, the camera captures the surviving cast members resting when, all of a sudden, a chilling scream echoes from upstairs. Dr. Loomis hurries down the staircase and lets out a terrified yell upon seeing not his ex-patient resurrected but a young girl brandishing a bloodied pair of scissors.

Stream Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers on Shudder.

The Ending of Don’t Look Now

As a dedicated fan, I must say that Donald Sutherland’s powerful portrayal of John Baxter in the 1973 film “Don’t Look Now” leaves me utterly convinced by every morsel of his character’s grief. The depth of emotion he conveys is truly captivating.

In the movie, Baxter’s daughter tragically drowned in their lake, while wearing a red raincoat. After that heartbreaking event, they relocated to Venice, seeking solace for their grief and escape from their haunting property. However, even in Venice, he can’t seem to rid himself of the sensation that he sees his deceased daughter in a red raincoat. In reality, it is not his daughter but a serial killer wearing a similar coat, who now stands menacingly with a meat cleaver aimed at Baxter’s neck.

Stream Don’t Look Now on Kanopy.

Vera Cruz’s Identity in The Skin I Live In

As a cinephile, I found myself utterly captivated by the intricate tale woven in “The Skin I Live In.” Rather than unfolding linearly, this film takes a unique approach by jumping between timeframes, creating an enigmatic atmosphere that keeps you guessing until the very end.

At its core lies a chilling long-term abduction, a revenge-fueled act that sets the stage for a climax that leaves you reeling. It shares some striking similarities with the masterpiece “Oldboy,” albeit with its own distinct twists and turns.

On Antonio Banderas’ sprawling estate, there’s a woman named Vera who is being held captive by Dr. Robert Ledgard, a role played by Banderas himself. His wife had passed away under tragic circumstances, an event that his daughter had borne witness to and which ultimately led to her own suicide. The daughter thought she was a victim of sexual assault by Ledgard; however, the truth is she suffered a psychological breakdown after hearing the same music that played when her mother died before her eyes. Upon waking up, she finds herself naked with Ledgard standing over her. This nudity isn’t due to any wrongdoing on Ledgard’s part but rather the result of a flirtatious encounter with a man named Vicente, whom Ledgard saw fleeing from his daughter. Believing Vicente had sexually assaulted her and caused her mental collapse and subsequent demise, he abducted Vicente, subjected him to numerous surgeries, and transformed the young man into a physical replica of Ledgard’s late wife.

The Original Ending of The Descent

Directed by Neil Marshall, the film The Descent offers two distinct conclusions. In the American cut, the sole survivor, Sarah, manages to flee from the cave filled with monsters and encounters a specter of one of her deceased cavers. This ending is considered less impactful.

In the British version of this story, Sarah exits the cave, encounters a ghost, and then wakes up again inside the cave. However, she didn’t actually escape, and the monsters are closing in for an attack. The shorter American ending is puzzling because it suggests that Sarah could leave the cave in her dream, but the plot doesn’t support this possibility. In contrast, the original ending is incredibly grim and more closely mirrors real-life situations.

Stream The Descent on Tubi.

The Haunting Final Moments of The Mist

Numerous films owe their existence to The Twilight Zone, and The Mist, directed by Frank Darabont, is undeniably one of them. Although it’s an adaptation of Stephen King’s novella with the same title, it’s important to note that the movie surpasses the original, a claim not frequently made about adaptations, whether they are based on King’s works or otherwise.

The crux lies in the heart-wrenching climax of the story. In the short novel, the remaining characters venture into the fog under the belief that security awaits beyond it. However, in the film adaptation, Tom Jane’s character, David, fatally shoots his fellow survivors (including his son) to prevent them from being torn apart by the monsters lurking in the mist. Soon after, the fog disperses, revealing military vehicles moving through it. The brilliance of this ending lies in its poignancy and tragic impact.

Stream The Mist on Prime Video.

Defending a Guilty Client in Primal Fear

Prior to his memorable roles in Fight Club and The Incredible Hulk, Edward Norton first gained recognition through the movie Primal Fear. In this film, Richard Gere portrays Martin Vail, a Chicago lawyer known for his self-assuredness. However, he faces a challenging case when 19-year-old Aaron Stampler, an altar boy, is found fleeing from the murder scene of a well-respected Archbishop.

Throughout the film, viewers find themselves convinced that the story is an instance of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, it’s eventually disclosed that the main character has Dissociative Identity Disorder. This revelation leaves the audience equally astonished. Yet, as the climax unfolds, Stampler’s deception unravels, revealing he was aware of his actions all along and never truly suffered from DID. Most notably due to Norton’s captivating performance, this twist is nothing short of breathtaking.

Stream Primal Fear on Paramount+.

Jeff Bridges Dies in Arlington Road

Jeff Bridges, who portrayed the initial antagonist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is often seen as a hero on screen, with numerous instances such as King Kong, Hell or High Water, Tron, R.I.P.D., True Grit, The Big Lebowski, Blown Away, and Starman to name a few. Interestingly, when he takes on the role of a villain, his character usually makes it to the end credits. In most cases, his name appears at the top of the poster. However, this isn’t the case in Arlington Road.

A somewhat ordinary action-drama film titled “Arlington Road” effectively keeps viewers guessing, as it unexpectedly reveals Michael Faraday’s (played by Bridges) demise. Believing he was about to shield his son from terrorist neighbors, Faraday tragically turns out to be the latest scapegoat in their plot to detonate a government building. The explosive device is hidden in Faraday’s car trunk.

Goodbye, Keith in Barbarian

As a movie enthusiast, I had the pleasure of witnessing Zach Cregger’s exceptional solo directorial debut, a stark contrast to his earlier work co-directing “Miss March” over a decade ago. The film that caught my attention was none other than “Barbarian,” a masterfully crafted piece in the horror genre. Georgina Campbell delivers an outstanding lead performance, making “Barbarian” a modern horror classic not to be missed.

As a fan, I must clarify that it’s Bill Skarsgård’s character, Keith, who is at the heart of the twist, not Campbell’s Tess Marshall. Upon reaching her rented Airbnb, Tess discovers to her surprise that it has been double-booked, and Bill’s character, Keith, is already there. For a significant period, the audience gets a sense that something sinister is brewing with Keith, leading us to believe he might be the movie’s antagonist. This suspicion persists even as they uncover a seemingly torture chamber and a hidden tunnel in the Airbnb’s basement. However, it turns out that Keith is not the villain, a fact Tess learns suddenly when “The Mother,” a grotesquely deformed character, violently attacks Keith’s head against a tunnel wall.

Stream Barbarian on Hulu.

2025-03-19 04:43