5 Best Twists in the Terminator Film Franchise

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The *Terminator* movies have always thrived on surprising twists and mind-bending concepts. Right from the start, the series used time travel to create dramatic shifts in the story, turning good guys into bad guys and wins into losses very quickly. These unexpected turns drive the entire saga, constantly changing what’s at stake in the war between humans and Skynet, the powerful AI. This willingness to challenge its own established story is a major reason why the franchise has stayed popular. Even though later *Terminator* movies didn’t always live up to the original two, their attempts to surprise audiences often created the most talked-about moments in the series.

As a huge movie fan, I always loved the *Terminator* films because of their big twists. But the *best* ones weren’t just surprises – they completely flipped the script on everything! They weren’t just about a chase anymore; they took that simple idea and blew it up into this massive sci-fi saga. Those twists made you rethink the whole story, the past, the future, and what these characters were even fighting for. It wasn’t just a shock, it was a game-changer.

5) Terminator: Dark Fate Kills John Connor

The beginning of *Terminator: Dark Fate* is shockingly brutal. It takes place just a few years after the ending of *Terminator 2: Judgment Day* and shows a young John Connor (Edward Furlong) unexpectedly killed by a Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) on a beach. The surprise isn’t just that the hero is killed so quickly, but that his death feels almost unavoidable. This decision sparked a lot of debate, as it seemed to make the events of the first two movies pointless. However, it was a bold move that dramatically changed the story. By removing the central figure destined to save humanity, the film suggests that the future isn’t reliant on one individual. This creates an opportunity for a new hero, Dani Ramos (Natalia Reyes), and forces both Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and the audience to realize the fight for the future is about more than just one person’s fate.

4) John Connor is a Terminator in Terminator Genisys

Terminator Genisys dramatically changed the established story of the Terminator franchise, and not always successfully. Its biggest gamble was turning John Connor, previously the hero, into the main villain. The film reimagines a timeline where Skynet captures and transforms Connor into a powerful, advanced Terminator – a T-3000. He’s sent back in time with the mission of guaranteeing Skynet’s creation. While many fans felt this betrayed the spirit of the series, turning the leader of the human resistance into a machine, the twist was undeniably bold. It created a compelling and personal conflict, forcing Sarah and Kyle to battle the very person they were originally trying to protect.

3) “Carl” the T-800 Developed a Conscience in Terminator: Dark Fate

Following the unexpected death of John Connor at the start of the film, Terminator: Dark Fate presented another surprise later on. The T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) who completed his mission had, over the years, developed a kind of awareness. With Skynet gone and no further instructions, the machine found a new purpose by becoming part of human society, living with a family and understanding the consequences of his past actions. Driven by guilt over killing John Connor, he secretly warned Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) about other Terminators sent to eliminate her. This development built on the idea of a Terminator learning and evolving, as seen in Terminator 2, and showed that a machine could potentially feel regret and even make sacrifices. It also gave Schwarzenegger the most nuanced role he’d played in the entire series.

2) Judgment Day is Inevitable in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

The ending of *Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines* is the most pessimistic moment in the whole series. Throughout the film, John Connor and Kate Brewster try to prevent Skynet from becoming active, mirroring the efforts of John’s mother in the past. However, in the final scene, they realize the room they’ve secured isn’t a command center – it’s just a bomb shelter. The T-850 reveals that Judgment Day couldn’t be stopped, only delayed, and that his mission wasn’t to *prevent* the apocalypse, but to make sure John and Kate lived through it. The film concludes with the chilling sound of Skynet launching nuclear missiles. This shocking twist changes how we see the events of *Terminator 2*, suggesting that humanity was always destined to fail. It’s a grim ending that fully embraces the franchise’s bleak and fatalistic ideas.

1) The T-800 is the Hero in Terminator 2: Judgment Day

The twist in *Terminator 2: Judgment Day* is one of the most famous and well-done in movie history. The film successfully makes viewers believe Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character is still the villain, just like in the first movie. By switching between the intimidating T-800 and the seemingly friendly police officer, the T-1000 (Robert Patrick), the movie builds suspense. The big surprise comes when the T-800 saves John Connor (Edward Furlong) from the T-1000, completely changing the story. The relentless killer from the first film becomes a protector, and a much more dangerous machine is revealed as the true enemy. This clever deception not only shocked the audience but also allowed for a powerful transformation of the T-800, turning him from a machine into a father figure.

What’s another surprising moment from the *Terminator* movies that you think should be included? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-12 18:18