10 Horror Movie Twists That Still Don’t Make Sense

People enjoy horror movies greatly, and when a surprising plot turn occurs, the tension escalates even further. However, this technique doesn’t always yield the desired result as not every creator possesses the skill to execute it effectively, ensuring the movie delivers as intended. Some narratives overemphasize shocking conclusions that appear contrived merely to astonish the audience, neglecting fundamental narrative consistency and character progression. Consequently, what you’re left with is a production that seems illogical, leaving you perplexed rather than amazed. For a plot twist to truly resonate, coherence must be maintained throughout the story.

Keeping that thought in focus, let me share a list of 10 horror films featuring unexpected plots that remain puzzling and unconvincing to many viewers. Regrettably, these plot holes often detract from the overall excellence of the movies. Be advised: Some spoilers may lie ahead.

1) The Mist

In simpler terms, “The Mist,” a film based on Stephen King’s work, often employs a plot twist with no prior warning, primarily for shock effect, but at the expense of making sense within the storyline. The ending scene, where the protagonist, David (Thomas Jane), kills his own son in a sudden moment of despair, and then is rescued shortly after, borders on being illogical. The motivation behind David’s actions seems unconvincing, as there is little evidence of psychological development throughout the movie that would justify such a drastic change. It appears as though the script prioritized delivering a shocking twist over maintaining logical consistency. Furthermore, the timing of the military rescue in the storyline feels highly implausible and contrived.

2) Orphan

Indeed, the surprising twist in the movie “Orphan” is indeed startling; however, it raises concerns on multiple aspects. The portrayal of Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman), an adult woman with dwarfism pretending to be a child, seems more like a plot convenience than a thoroughly fleshed-out character element – particularly since the movie fails to provide any plausible explanation for why no one, from medical professionals to family members to neighbors, didn’t suspect the truth during Esther’s stay. In many stories, minor inconsistencies can be overlooked if the narrative is powerful enough to compensate; but in this instance, it’s too significant to dismiss. To add to that, Esther’s extreme aggression, manipulative nature, and psychopathic traits lack any psychological basis. The character relies heavily on shock value rather than offering sufficient depth to make her convincing, which results in a storyline that comes across as somewhat preposterous.

3) High Tension

In the thriller “High Tension,” one of the most bizarre plot twists unfolds when it’s disclosed that the main character, Marie (Cécile de France), is actually the murderer. This revelation leaves the narrative in shambles, as events such as the truck accident, her injuries, and the fact she can still commit gruesome murders while supposedly being pursued, raise significant questions about the plot’s coherence. The sudden appearance and disappearance of the truck, along with other inconsistencies, are never properly explained, leading many to believe that the film relies on the “unreliable narrator” trope to mask its narrative shortcomings. For those seeking a logically consistent story, this twist can be disappointing, particularly since the beginning of the movie is genuinely suspenseful and captivating. Ultimately, the twist seems more like an attempt at being clever than a well-executed plot revelation.

4) The Village

The movie titled “The Village” has some positive aspects, but its unexpected turn of events (although somewhat foreseeable) is challenging to accept. The notion that the secluded village is actually a contemporary society hiding from reality, with this secret being passed down through generations, seems implausible when you begin questioning it. One would expect someone to have attempted to contest or flee this illusion at some point. Maintaining such a massive lie requires intricate social and psychological manipulation – something the movie fails to delve into thoroughly. Additionally, the supposed “monster” in the woods being merely adults dressed up undermines the fear and tension the narrative attempts to generate. In essence, the twist appears more like a convenient resolution rather than an earned climax with significant impact.

5) Mother!

In simpler terms, the psychological horror film “Mother!” featuring Jennifer Lawrence, renowned for its symbolism and metaphor, is often puzzling, leaving many viewers perplexed by its complex ending. Director Darren Aronofsky himself admits that the script was hastily written with an intent to be disorganized and disturbing. While a well-written script can embrace ambiguity, it should still allow for interpretation without overwhelming the audience. Here, the narrative is intricate and multilayered, but its meaning remains obscure due to a lack of clarity. This results in most viewers leaving the film with minimal comprehension of the events that unfolded. Additionally, the protagonist’s motivations become unclear as the story progresses, making the conclusion feel detached and emotionally remote. To this day, many people still question the film’s intended message.

6) Signs

The main issue with the plot twist in the movie ‘Signs’ stems from its questionable scientific reasoning: the extraterrestrials, intending to conquer Earth, are susceptible to water – an element that makes up over 70% of our planet. It seems implausible that they wouldn’t have anticipated this vulnerability, or else encountered water without facing instant consequences. These are fundamental aspects that should have been addressed earlier in the script-writing process. Some viewers have attempted to rationalize this flaw, but it remains a weak element – one that serves merely as an easy resolution to the conflict and is detrimental to compelling storytelling. Ultimately, this inconsistency undermines the tension the film creates and can make the climax appear somewhat comical for those with a discerning eye.

7) Longlegs

Upon its debut, “Longlegs” generated much discussion about Nicolas Cage’s unsettling portrayal. However, upon closer examination of the movie as a whole, the shocking revelation that Ruth (played by Alicia Witt), the protagonist’s mother, is complicit with the satanic killer seems to be an afterthought, lacking substantial support. While the film exhibits an eerie atmosphere and ambition, it falls short in providing adequate development for this surprising disclosure. The script fails to delve into Ruth’s motives or explain how she became entangled in these events. The supernatural aspects and satanic themes appear abruptly without proper foreshadowing, resulting in a perplexing and detached ending. “Longlegs” serves as a reminder of a story that aims to startle but neglects to anchor its twist within a logical narrative framework, leaving the audience with an unsatisfying experience overall.

8) Catacombs

In theory, designing a film’s ending as a prank could seem intriguing, but in reality, it often disappoints the viewer, particularly in horror films. This is precisely what transpires in “Catacombs“. The climax feels empty and insignificant due to the revelation that all the harrowing ordeals experienced by the protagonist, Victoria (Shannyn Sossamon), were nothing more than a cruel jest. Such an ending not only trivializes her hardships but also leaves viewers questioning the significance of what they’ve witnessed. It’s as if they spent nearly two hours watching a story that had no real substance.

The problem isn’t just the overused “it was all a joke” twist; it’s the way the film presents this revelation. The characters are not given any convincing motive for such an extreme prank, and Victoria’s emotional response is glossed over. Instead of being clever, the twist comes off as lazy and ultimately meaningless.

9) The Perfection

The film titled ‘The Perfection’ aims for a daring approach, combining elements such as body horror, social critique, female revenge, and psychological turmoil. However, it struggles in its endeavor to blend these aspects seamlessly. The plot commences strongly but soon veers into peculiar realms, featuring graphic self-harm scenes and intense hallucinations. The climax, where the storyline unveils that the protagonist Charlotte (Allison Williams) is orchestrating a scheme to reveal an abusive cycle at an elite music school, lacks clarity in its execution. The violence appears excessive and melodramatic, and the script fails to provide a convincing explanation of how the plan could be carried out, let alone seem realistic. As a result, it becomes challenging to empathize with the characters or grasp the rationale behind their actions. The movie aims to shock (and it succeeds in doing so), but this seems to be its sole objective rather than constructing a coherent, engaging narrative.

10) The Skeleton Key

The ending of “The Skeleton Key” has all the makings of a shocking horror twist, with an ancient ritual swapping bodies between elderly and young characters. However, the movie doesn’t provide clear guidelines or boundaries for this mystical system, leaving viewers confused about what can happen within this world. The main character, Caroline (played by Kate Hudson), is logical and doubtful throughout, yet she falls victim to her own disbelief since the ritual only works if one believes in it. But if belief matters, how did the plan succeed when the entire film portrays skepticism? It seems like the aim was to show Caroline gradually believing, but it’s not convincing. In the end, the twist falls flat because the rules established in the script are inconsistent, undermining the impact for the audience. Despite an intriguing concept, the movie ultimately fails to deliver on its promise.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/horror-franchises-that-need-revival-gremlins-critters-friday-the-13th/embed/#

2025-07-11 19:44