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A good twist at the end of a film can leave audiences reeling, questioning everything they thought they knew about the plot and characters.
It’s that jaw-dropping moment of realization that makes the movie-going experience so memorable. And yet, some films manage to execute this narrative device with such finesse that the audience never sees it coming.
To celebrate these masterful moments of cinematic deception, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 best twists at the end of a film we didn’t expect. Warning, spoilers ahead!
But before we dive in, why not check out some of our other rankings such as the Top 5 most unlikely movie couples and the Top 5 scariest love stories in film?
1. The Sixth Sense (1999)
In this psychological thriller by M. Night Shyamalan, the twist ending is so unexpected that it’s hard to believe we didn’t see it coming.
The revelation that Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) has been dead all along is a game-changer that turns the entire narrative on its head.
2. Fight Club (1999)
David Fincher‘s Fight Club delivers a shocking twist when we discover that Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) is nothing more than a figment of the narrator’s (Edward Norton) imagination, a manifestation of his split personality.
This realization completely alters our perception of the prior events in the film.
3. The Usual Suspects (1995)
In this crime thriller, the twist comes when we find out that the mild-mannered Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey) is in fact the feared criminal mastermind Keyser Söze.
This surprising reveal completely changes the dynamics of the film and recontextualizes everything we thought we knew.
4. Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock‘s Psycho presents one of the most iconic twists in film history.
The shocking revelation that the seemingly harmless Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) is in fact the killer, and that his mother is dead, was completely unexpected and set a new standard for horror film twists.
5. Shutter Island (2010)
In Martin Scorsese’s psychological thriller, the twist that U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is actually a patient at the asylum himself is an incredible plot turn that leaves audiences reeling.
Film twists are not merely for surprise value, they often serve to deepen the narrative and bring new understanding to the plot and characters.
These films are just a few examples of the power of a well-executed twist. Feel free to share this list with your friends on your social media platforms and don’t forget to check out our other rankings.
You might be particularly interested in the Top 5 most unforgettable romantic scenes in film.
No matter what your cinematic preferences, we have a ranking that will keep you captivated and entertained. Happy viewing!
