Top 10 Movie Plot Twists That Changed EVERYTHING

“Identity” (2003)

If you recall this 2000s thriller, you probably remember its all-star cast. The movie puts them all at a motel where a sinister mystery unravels. The plot really flies off a cliff when it’s revealed that they’re all personalities within a convict’s brain. From that point on, this insane story spirals as the guests keep dying off. The film’s unpredictable narrative gives viewers a strange twist that alters reality. It might be outrageous, but it’s also an ambitious idea that pushes the boundaries of storytelling. The tale of Malcolm Rivers’ mind continues to surprise the audience as his violent personality takes over.

“Jacob’s Ladder” (1990)

After returning from Vietnam, Jacob Singer suffers through visions that make him question reality. He later learns that he was exposed to an experimental drug that had horrific consequences. If that isn’t enough, this horror film takes one more terrifying trip to the past. Singer finds himself heading towards a light and taken back to 1971. The hero becomes a soldier once more, appearing to have died from his combat wounds years ago. It’s an incredible way to play with space, time, and viewer expectations. This examination of PTSD doesn’t hold back, culminating in a heartbreaking climax.

“Arrival” (2016)

This sci-fi film seeks to answer existential questions as linguist Louise Banks communicates with extraterrestrials. She comes to learn about the future, but it’s not all that she hoped it would be. It turns out that Banks will have a daughter who will fall terminally ill. We also learn that Jeremy Renner’s character is the father, but he won’t be sticking around. It’s a surprising development in a movie that doesn’t have easy answers to life’s most important questions. Ultimately, the entire concept of time comes into question as the film reaches its dramatic conclusion. With a new understanding of the past and the future, the movie leaves you with a mind-bending concept to ponder.

“Fight Club” (1999)

Starting from somewhat humble beginnings, the narrator and Tyler Durden grow their club into a dangerous organization. The main character then comes to realize that he’s been working overtime. It turns out that Durden is actually his alter ego, meaning that he’s been doing everything by himself. This revelation puts the entire plot into a new context. Not only do you have to watch the film again, but it also leaves you with questions about identity that will have your head spinning. It’s fair to say that this twist only makes the explosive finale more disturbing and unexpected.

“Hereditary” (2018)

Throughout this horror film, the Graham family are plagued by endless tragedy and bad luck. The eeriness of it all is because of a demonic cult that’s been influencing everything. Ari Aster’s horror masterwork doesn’t shy away from this disturbing revelation, making viewers consider the full weight of this dark twist. It also doesn’t make the beheadings or fires any less horrifying. Peter later becomes king in a creepy ceremony that changes his future, calling into question how much farther the coven will go. Aster’s tale of family ties and grief keeps you wondering and worrying until the very last second.

“Chinatown” (1974)

Evelyn Mulwray plays a key and tragic role in the plot of “Chinatown.” Detective Jake Gittes comes to understand the bitter truth, Mulwray’s sister, Katherine, is also her daughter. Gittes learns the truth in a scene that’s as heartbreaking as it is surprising. Only after we learn this information do we fully understand the depth of Noah Cross and his evil. Mulwray and her daughter try to escape with help from the hero, but this isn’t a fairytale. The ending is even more tragic because of this twist, adding to the bitter reality of the plot.

“Parasite” (2019)

Oscar-winner “Parasite” is a fun thriller that intensifies until it subverts your expectations. Director Bong Joon-ho finds a way to make you laugh and terrify you with this sudden surprise, letting the truth come out in a rainstorm. It turns out that the rich family's house has a secret lurking beneath the main floor. The former maid’s husband is staying in the bunker, giving a new meaning to the film’s title. Not only do the Kims have to deal with their ongoing operation, they also have to consider how this news will affect their future. It’s easy to see why the writers earned an Academy Award for such brilliant screenwriting.

“Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (1980)

Darth Vader remains one of the most imposing and feared characters in the first “Star Wars” universe. By the end of the sequel “The Empire Strikes Back,” he finally corners the hero Luke Skywalker in dramatic fashion. The Jedi then learns the truth in an earth-shattering moment. Not only that, Vader’s incredible voice courtesy of James Earl Jones really sells the intense scene. It’s among the most memorable, shocking, and iconic twists in any film. The news sets a course for the climactic “Return of the Jedi,” while also inspiring a prequel series to explain the antagonist’s troubled origins.

“Memento” (2000)

Throughout the course of Christopher Nolan’s inventive thriller, Leonard Shelby tries to solve a mystery despite his condition. All sorts of people take advantage of his amnesia until he realizes the truth. While someone did attack his wife, she survived and it was Shelby who accidentally killed her. He also realizes that he has been searching for a man that he’s already found. Nolan finds a way to play with your expectations, while also delivering an emotional gut punch. In the end, the main character comes out of it a morally conflicted person. Things only get worse as he decides to keep going, ensuring that he can keep hunting people for as long as he wants to.

“Psycho” (1960)

Marion Crane skips town with some stolen cash, but she stops off at the Bates Motel. This initiates one of the wildest twists in film history. Alfred Hitchcock puts Crane in a shower, letting Norman Bates take her out in brutal fashion. It completely changes the course of the narrative by getting rid of the main heroine. Once we realize that even the lead character can die, we’re on the edge of our seats until the dramatic finale. The surprises don’t end there, as we later discover Bates’ split personality and his mother’s influence from beyond the grave (xref). Many movies have tried to be as bold, but nothing beats the rapid shift of this groundbreaking change.


Did we forget another plot twist that completely altered a film? Let us know in the comments below.