A plot twist is a literary technique, commonly used in narratives, where there is a radical change in the direction or expected outcome of the plot. This unexpected development serves to surprise the audience and often leads to a profound rethinking of the storyline, characters, and thematic elements of the work.
When done right, a good plot twist has the ability to elevate a film but the tricky part is that good plot twists are hard to achieve. Not to mention great ones.
These are 10 movies known for their remarkable plot twists. These movies contain an unexpected turn of event that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
5. Gone Girl (2014)
Gone Girl is a 2014 psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher, based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn, who also wrote the screenplay. The film stars Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne and Rosamund Pike as his wife, Amy Dunne. It explores themes of marriage, media sensationalism, and deception.
About halfway through the film, a major twist occurs. It is revealed that Amy is alive and has meticulously planned her own disappearance to frame Nick for her murder. Her diary entries were fabricated to mislead the police, and she had staged the crime scene to make it appear as though Nick had killed her.
4. The Prestige (2006)
The Prestige is a 2006 mystery thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan, based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Christopher Priest. The film stars Hugh Jackman as Robert Angier, Christian Bale as Alfred Borden, and features Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie. The story follows two rival magicians in London at the end of the 19th century whose intense competition leads to tragic results.
The major plot twist of the movie was the revelation that Tesla’s machine doesn’t transport objects but creates duplicates. Angier uses this machine to create his own version of “The Transported Man.” Each night, the machine creates a duplicate Angier, with one version falling into a water tank beneath the stage and drowning, while the other appears at the back of the theatre.
3. The Sixth Sense (1999)
The Sixth Sense is a psychological thriller directed by M. Night Shyamalan, known for its iconic twist ending that stunned audiences worldwide. The story revolves around Dr. Malcolm Crowe (played by Bruce Willis), a child psychologist, who is struggling to help a young boy named Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) who claims he can see and communicate with dead people.
In the film’s climactic twist, it is revealed that Dr. Malcolm Crowe has been dead the entire time. He was shot by his former patient Vincent (played by Donnie Wahlberg) at the beginning of the movie, which is why he was so dedicated to helping Cole.
2. The Others (2001)
The Others is a 2001 gothic horror film directed by Alejandro Amenábar, who also wrote the screenplay and composed the score. The film stars Nicole Kidman as Grace Stewart, a mother living in a remote mansion on the English Channel island of Jersey with her two photosensitive children, Anne and Nicholas.
Throughout the film, Grace Stewart (played by Nicole Kidman) is convinced that her house is haunted by malevolent spirits. She and her two children, Anne and Nicholas, experience various unexplained phenomena that lead her to believe in the presence of intruders.
In the film’s climax, it is revealed that Grace, Anne, and Nicholas are the actual ghosts haunting the mansion. They are deceased, and the “intruders” are a new family who moved into the house after their deaths.
1. Behind Her Eyes (2021)
Behind Her Eyes is a psychological thriller miniseries based on the novel of the same name by Sarah Pinborough. Released on Netflix in 2021, the series gained attention for its intricate plot and shocking twist ending.
The story revolves around Louise (played by Simona Brown), a single mother who begins an affair with her psychiatrist boss, David (played by Tom Bateman). Simultaneously, Louise strikes up an unlikely friendship with David’s wife, Adele (played by Eve Hewson), who appears to be kind but troubled.
The twist in Behind Her Eyes occurs in the final episode where it is revealed that Adele is not truly her but actually Adele’s old friend Rob (Robert Aramayo), who swapped bodies with her about 10 years ago using astral projection in order to be close to Adele’s husband, David, whom he’s had a crush on.
