Top 10 Most Shocking Reveals in Teen Movies
#10: It Was Just a Vision
“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” (2012)
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To give them their due, the “Twilight” movies were faithful adaptations of Stephenie Meyer’s books. However, the ending took us all by surprise. For the finale of “Breaking Dawn”, the Cullens prepare to battle the Volturi. In the book, Bella saves the day with her protective shield and no one has to fight at all. In the movie, the battle goes ahead and beloved characters actually start dying. ‘This can’t be happening!’ cried the book fans. But actually, it wasn’t. The battle was all a vision, designed to persuade the Volturi leader that the odds wouldn’t be in his favor if he proceeded with his plans. A bit of an anti-climax? Maybe. But also a clever way to inject some action, without depriving the fans of their happy ending.
#9: The Men Behind the Mask
“Scream” (1996)
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Although you might not remember who’s who from the original “Scream” movie, the infamous Ghostface mask is still a common sight on Halloween night. The film parodies the slasher genre while giving the audience genuine scares. One of the most frightening moments is the shocking revelation of the killer’s true identity. There’s no dramatic removal of the mask–no, instead the truth dawns on Sidney while she’s standing right in front of him. It’s her boyfriend, Billy Loomis, alongside his best friend Stu. The killer’s ability to be in two places at once completely threw us off their scents!
#8: Jace & Clary Find Out They’re Siblings (Though They Aren’t Really)
“The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones” (2013)
The first novel in Cassandra Clare’s “Mortal Instruments” series was adapted into a 2013 movie, with the hope that sequels would follow. But we never did get that second installment. This meant that movie go-ers never got an answer to the crucial question: were Jace and Clary really brother and sister? They begin the story as your typical love interests. They flirt, they kiss, they fall in love. And then they find out they have the same dad. What is the audience supposed to do with that information? We can’t unsee the kissing. So we can’t understand the couple’s decision to totally ignore their new knowledge and ride off into the sunset together. At least the book fans knew the truth!
#7: Prim Doesn’t Make It
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” (2015)
“The Hunger Games” began with Katniss’ sacrifice, entering the games to save her sister. But, while she was away, Prim grew up. She was no longer the helpless child who would be kept safe at home. In fact, she became a trained medic, and ended up on the front lines at the Capitol when two bombs were dropped by the rebels. The first incited the medics to help the injured. The second wreaked further devastation, but essentially ended the war. Prim was, unfortunately, caught in the calamity of the second bomb. The distress of losing her, right at the end, was a devastating blow for Katniss–and the viewers. It came as a shock and put a dampener on the otherwise happy ending.
#6: Jamie Tells Landon Her Secret
“A Walk to Remember” (2002)
Where You've Seen Jamie Campbell Bower Before
In the grand tradition of Nicolas Sparks adaptations, “A Walk to Remember” begins as a love story, but tragedy is just around the corner. When bad boy Landon Carter is forced to participate in the school play as punishment, he forges a friendship with Jamie Sullivan. Jamie is the minister’s daughter and a social misfit, but she makes Landon promise he won’t fall in love with her. Naturally, he does fall for her, and it’s only then that he discovers the reason for her request. Jamie has leukemia and has stopped responding to treatment. It’s a real gut punch for the audience. Just like Landon, we’re about to have our happy ending cruelly snatched away.
#5: Aunt Helen
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012)
Movies aimed at teenagers have a reputation for being trivial, but they often tackle serious issues. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a coming-of-age drama about friendship, but also includes themes of mental illness, post-traumatic stress, and abuse. Charlie, portrayed by Logan Lerman, is a shy freshman who struggles with bouts of depression. We’re told that his Aunt Helen died in a car crash, but at the end of the movie, we discover that her death has had more of an effect on him than we formerly realized. Charlie was sexually abused by Helen as a child and has repressed the memories. The revelation is appalling but not gratuitous - once we know the truth, everything makes more sense.
#4: Maddy’s Not Really Sick
“Everything, Everything” (2017)
“Everything, Everything” is a teen movie based on the book by Nicola Yoon. It follows Maddy, an eighteen year old who never leaves the house, due to an immunity disorder known as SCID. Her mother insists that she stay inside and doesn’t mix with people, purely for her own safety. But, when Maddy starts to fall for the boy next door, it becomes more difficult to follow her mom’s wishes. As it turns out however, she could have broken the rules a long time ago. At the end of the movie it is revealed that Maddy isn’t sick at all. Her mom has Munchhausen-by-proxy. Maddy’s only problems are caused by staying inside too much and being overmedicated.
#3: The Date on the Board
“Remember Me” (2010)
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“Remember Me” is a gentle love story, a coming-of-age tale, and a family drama about grief. It also has one of the most intense endings ever committed to film. Viewers may have wondered why the movie appeared to be set in the recent past, rather than the present. This was revealed in the final scenes. Tyler, played by Robert Pattinson, waits for his father in his office, after mending their rocky relationship. Meanwhile, Tyler’s sister, Caroline, is in a classroom where we catch sight of the date on a blackboard. It’s September 11th, 2001. The camera then pans out from Pattinson and we realize that he’s in the World Trade Center. If the filmmakers were going for shock value, they definitely achieved it.
#2: Augustus’ Diagnosis
“The Fault in Our Stars” (2014)
Augustus Waters and Hazel Grace Lancaster meet at a cancer support group. She’s getting worse, he’s in remission. This is Hazel’s story and Augustus is cast as the eccentric but charming love interest who will help her experience life before she has to face her death. This is what we expected from the premise of “A Fault in Our Stars”. What we didn’t bank on, was the return of Gus’s condition. We knew we were getting a tragedy, but we weren’t expecting Gus’ death! The moment where Augustus tells Hazel the truth is made all the more heartbreaking by two incredible acting turns from Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Kat’s History With Joey, “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)
Kat Tells Bianca Why She Hates Her New Boyfriend
Who Really Gave Micah The STI?, “Easy A” (2010)
The Guidance Counselor Confesses All
Kostas’ Wife, “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2” (2008)
Lena Finally Reunites with Kostas - But She’s Too Late
Blue’s Identity, “Love, Simon” (2018)
Simon Finally Meets His Secret Admirer
Snape Loved Lily, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” (2011)
Harry Discovers the Truth About Dumbledore’s Agent
#1: The Maze Is an Experiment
“The Maze Runner” (2014)
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“The Maze Runner” might not be the most memorable movie from the teen dystopia craze, but it does have the most dramatic final reveal. At the beginning of the movie, a boy named Thomas finds himself dropped into the world of the maze. He and the other ‘Gladers’ work together to defeat the trials thrown at them. In a final, shocking twist, we discover that the teens are part of an experiment. A deadly virus has devastated the planet and they are essentially lab rats. The maze is designed to test the subjects’ strength and provide humanity with hope for a cure. It’s an intriguing reveal and sets us up for the sequel.
