The 7 Worst Horror Movie Twists That Left Us Scratching Our Heads

In terms of horror films and thrillers, audiences usually anticipate a surprising turn of events that leaves them stunned, reverses the narrative, and elevates an ordinary horror film into something exceptional. However, there are numerous instances where success is not an option, and the filmmakers persistently drive the plot forward despite its shortcomings, until the closing credits graciously appear. Not every movie can achieve the level of brilliance displayed in films like The Sixth Sense or Jacob’s Ladder, with their expertly crafted twists that constantly challenge and redefine audience expectations throughout the runtime. Unfortunately, some twists simply fall flat. They can become overly complex, hard to follow, controlled by extraterrestrials, and even unfold amidst a devastating terrorist attack in American history.

It can be challenging to identify the most disappointing twist endings in the horror genre, not because they were predictable, but quite the opposite. Several films in this category are still enjoyable despite stumbling during their climaxes. Therefore, creating this list was no easy task, and we stand by our selections, even though some of these movies feature twists that leave a sour taste. Scroll down to explore our compilation of the most disappointing horror movie twist endings, and see if you concur with our picks. While some might spark controversy, you may find yourself nodding in agreement over our choices.

1) High Tension

For much of its duration, the film titled “High Tension” or “Switchblade Romance”, hailing from France, offers a solid experience in the slasher genre. It delivers the expected gore and violence, while maintaining a straightforward yet intriguing premise. The story revolves around a murderer who targets a family, abducting their daughter, Alex, prompting her lover, Marie, to pursue the kidnapper in hot pursuit. They don’t break new ground in the slasher film category.

In the surprising turn of events, it’s revealed that the movie’s main character, Marie, is actually the ruthless killer who has been causing havoc throughout the film. She brutally murdered her friend Alex’s entire family and, driven by delusion, set out to rescue her friend from the very same killer. Unfortunately, more lives were lost in the process. The shocking revelation rewinds through all the movie’s violent acts, showing that Marie was the one responsible for each of them. She demonstrated an almost superhuman strength, using a bookcase to behead Alex’s father and massacring her family. The ending hints at similarities with the classic film “Psycho“, but the resolution is far from satisfying.

2) The Devil Inside

The Devil Inside is an example of numerous movies filmed in the found-footage style that gained popularity after Paranormal Activity. This film focuses on Isabella Rossi and documentary maker Michael Schaefer, who are recording a project about exorcisms, delving into Isabella’s mother’s mental collapse following a triple murder in 1989. The movie is brimming with the typical characteristics of found-footage films, as the filmmakers uncover Maria’s possession and learn that she has passed this torment to her daughter. Additionally, one of the two priests conducting the exorcism becomes involved.

In this scenario, it’s clear that demons exist, and later, one of the priests takes his own life. A harrowing event ensues when a hospital visit proves fatal for both characters involved in a fight, ending with their deaths and leaving Isabella’s fate undecided. Subsequently, a URL flashes on screen, offering guidance on resolving the crisis at hand, encouraging viewers to delve deeper into the ongoing investigation. If you weren’t moved by these events, it suggests you may have tuned out.

3) Secret Window

In a different phrasing: The film adaptation of Stephen King’s short story featuring Johnny Depp, titled “The Talisman,” encounters problems with its conclusion, but this time it isn’t King who should be blamed. Instead, the movie altered the original ending from the collection “Four Past Midnight,” leading to a film where the initial plot twist, revealing that Depp’s character Mort and John Turturro’s Shooter share a split personality, is weakened by its unsatisfactory conclusion.

In the film, the plot slowly unveils this shocking truth and builds suspense until a pivotal scene involving his ex-wife at the cabin. Actress Maria Bello portrays Amy in the movie. After Mort has been completely consumed by Shooter, he attacks his wife, stabbing her in the leg before killing both her and her lover Ted. Remarkably, he buries them in his own backyard. One might expect a tense conclusion, but Depp continues to reside at the home several months later, preparing corn for meals and ostracized by the townsfolk. The ending is less about suspending disbelief than accepting the concept of a murderous alter ego.

4) Dead Silence

Puppets have been a recurring element in horror stories for quite some time, standing alongside haunted dolls and malfunctioning devices as formidable antagonists. With Dead Silence boasting an abundance of them, one might expect a thrilling experience. Moreover, it originates from the creative minds behind Saw, James Wan and Leigh Whannell, which certainly adds a sense of reassurance.

However, the intricate storyline and its unexpected turns pose challenges, primarily because keeping track of all the characters requires constant note-taking. Initially, we learn that Mary Shaw was once a ventriloquist, wrongly accused of murdering a child. She reportedly committed suicide by hanging and transformed into a doll, but later resurfaces as a ghost. This spectral entity then crafts an impeccable doll called Ella and takes control of it to carry on her vengeance against those who took her life.

5) Halloween: Resurrection

In “Halloween: H20”, Michael Myers’ return at the beginning contradicts the narrative established in that movie. The 2002 film “Halloween: Resurrection” marked the conclusion for the original “Friday the 13th” series until Rob Zombie’s separate reboot in 2007, and recent installments have disregarded events following the first “Halloween”.

In the opening of the movie, Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, is now institutionalized following events from the previous film. The shocking turn is that in H20, it appeared as though they decapitated the serial killer; however, it turned out not to be him but a paramedic who had been switched with Myers beforehand, as revealed in Resurrection.

As a cinephile, I find myself at the sanitarium, where I follow Michael’s pursuit of Laurie onto the rooftop. In a heart-stopping moment, they engage in a brutal struggle, culminating in my nemesis taking her life with his knife. The film’s quality dips from there, but it does offer glimpses of Busta Rhymes bravely wielding a broom against Michael, ultimately resorting to electrocution to bring the movie to a close. Alas, Michael lives on, likely regretting his actions.

6) Us

I’d like to emphasize that Jordan Peele’s film, Up, is truly excellent and boasts an engaging plotline. The twist involving Lupita Nyong’o’s character, Addy, and her counterpart Red, who is her “tethered” doppelganger, switching places long ago, is brilliantly executed. When Addy goes on a family trip and Red incites the tethered to emerge from underground and kill their doubles, it’s a sure thing.

If the film ended at the point where underground Doppelgangers emerged to kill their counterparts, it would be ideal and this analysis wouldn’t be required. However, we are asked to imagine placing a hat on top of another hat, while considering the possibility that the government engineered these Doppelgangers for control purposes. In the story, Red, who is the true Adelaide, is the one orchestrating and directing the doubles to rise to the surface for violence. Removing the government conspiracy aspect might make the film nearly perfect.

7) Malignant

This next production by James Wan surpasses his earlier work on “Dead Silence”. It carries an outrageous plot twist that leaves you surprised, making it a standout among home-viewing movies produced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The movie narrates a woman named Madison, who appears to be pursued by a sinister entity from her nightmares, ultimately losing control. It’s later disclosed that the deceased doctors were once involved in the surgical removal of Madison’s parasitic twin over two decades ago. Despite their best efforts, they failed to remove all traces, necessitating further intervention. The antagonist is unveiled as Gabriel, a parasitic brother who emerged from Madison’s body and resurfaced after she sustained a head injury. In an unexpected twist, it’s revealed that Madison herself has been under Gabriel’s control throughout the film, acting as his pawn.

Although the medical backstory might be hard to swallow, the action sequences in the police station and holding cell are well worth watching. Focus on these thrilling moments rather than the ending that veers off course.

2025-07-13 04:11