Top 10 Plot Twists That Didn't Have to Go THAT Hard

“No Country for Old Men” (2007)

A tense and taut thriller, “No Country for Old Men” follows Llewelyn Moss as he steals drug money and comes to regret it. An assassin and others chase him down while Sheriff Bell tries to restore order. The lawman is too late, arriving at Moss’s motel room only to find Moss’s dead body. A traditional movie would at least give you a chance to see the final moments of such a major character. This particular film doesn’t give you the satisfaction, opting instead to consider what happens when the villains get away with it. It’s an unexpected and chilling way to explore the nature of violence.

“The Place Beyond the Pines” (2012)

In this crime drama, Luke Glanton decides to steal to provide for his family. He also comes up against police in a hot pursuit. Most people would expect a high profile star like Ryan Gosling to stick around, but this movie alters your expectations. Glanton dies after Bradley Cooper’s cop chases and finishes him. From that point on, Cooper becomes the star of the film as you witness the event’s effect on the new character. It’s an interesting way of shifting the story and exploring the plot from an entirely different angle. Filmmaker Derek Cianfrance keeps you guessing after this stunning moment, making you feel like nobody is safe anymore.

“Fight Club” (1999)

After they turn their fighting hobby into a deadly organization, the film’s narrator and his partnerTyler Durden prepare to execute Project Mayhem. The only problem is that the main character realizes some surprising news. In a wild twist, he discovers that Durden is his alter ego. The audience then needs a full reset to comprehend how this changes the story. You could even say that the entire movie demands a rewatch, with the whole plot taking on a new meaning. Edward Norton’s character comes to reluctantly embrace his future while trying to rid himself of his other personality. Whether or not the ending answers every question, it does leave viewers on an interesting note.

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (2023)

After exploring multiple universes, Miles Morales tempts fate and tries to travel back to his own dimension. He then realizes that he’s traveled to a different Earth instead. Not only is it a different place, this version of home brings back Morales’ evil uncle and features the hero’s villainous doppelganger. This elaborate twist puts the main character in a sticky situation, especially as he’s all tied up. Some movies have cliffhangers, but this one makes you wonder if anything can go back to normal for Miles and leaves you eager for the sequel.

“No Time to Die” (2021)

In this 007 adventure, James Bond must defeat the criminal mastermind Safin in the finale - nothing we haven’t seen before with Bond. Unfortunately, the villain has a lethal ace up his sleeve. Not long before his death, Safin dooms Bond from ever reuniting with his family by infecting him with nanobots that will kill his lover and their child. The hero has to die on the island rather than taking a chance that could harm his loved ones. It might be the most diabolical twist in the series, setting up an unprecedented end for the MI6 operative. Viewers wouldn’t be wrong to ponder the future of the franchise after this kind of moment.

“The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)

Following many years in prison, Andy Dufresne appears to be at a breaking point. Viewers expect the worst, but “The Shawshank Redemption” has one incredible twist up its sleeve. The prisoner actually escapes the prison, incriminates the corrupt prison staff, and makes his way to Mexico. As it turns out, Dufresne has been carrying out his complex plan in secret for a long time. It’s a fantastic way to subvert expectations, giving audiences the cathartic moment they’ve been hoping for. The events of this harrowing drama lead to a more upbeat plot point that sets up an even more joyful ending.

“The Mist” (2007)

As David Drayton and a small band of survivors find themselves at a crossroads, they consider making a merciful choice. The hero uses his remaining bullets on the other members of his group in order to save them from the deadly creatures that have arrived. He then waits for his own death. It’s already a sad ending, but then things get a whole lot worse. The main character then sees the military show up and comes to understand that he just killed the others , including his own son, for nothing. Among the cruelest endings of its kind, “The Mist” brings a twist that isn’t afraid to leave you speechless.

“Inglourious Basterds” (2009)

History is written in stone, but not where Quentin Tarantino is concerned. His World War II saga follows a commando squad and a theater owner that try to separately take down Nazi leaders. Some viewers might expect the plans to fail, but that’s when Tarantino decides to have fun. He lets the theater burn and the bombs go off. Not only that, he shows close-ups of Hitler’s graphic end. We then consider the possible implications for this alternative timeline. Keeping audience members engaged, the filmmaker has our attention as he details his surprising version of how the war turns out.

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

Near the end of this sequel, young hero Luke Skywalker confronts the evil Darth Vader. Their fight ends with the villain telling his adversary some shocking information - that Luke is in fact his son. It’s maybe the most famous sci-fi twist ever, making the original “Star Wars” trilogy all the more dramatic. Coming right after Luke has lost his hand, Vader’s revelation and his attempts to get Luke to join him on the Dark Side create a climax that has rarely been equalled. This all sets up one of the best cliffhangers ever as Skywalker contemplates his next move.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Chad Gets a Rude Awakening When He Tries to Hide in a Closet

Shelby Discovers That His Short-Term Memory Has Sent Him Down the Wrong Path

All Changes When the Parasitic Family Realizes Someone’s Lurking Under the House

The Horrible Tragedies Have All Been Leading to a Coven’s Creepy Scheme

Killer John Doe Prepares an Awful Package to Finish His Plan

“Psycho” (1960)

Among the most thrilling movies ever made, Alfred Hitchcock’s classic keeps you guessing at nearly every turn. Secretary Marion Crane steals money and runs away, eventually stopping at a creepy motel. As she appears to be the film’s protagonist, you’d expect her to be around for the whole movie, but the filmmaker has other plans. Her shower ends up being deadly, changing the course of this disturbing plot and creating a highpoint in cinema history. It also sets up another bold twist later in the story. With Crane’s death, Norman Bates’s strange life takes center stage and dominates the film. All these years later, “Psycho” still has the power to shock audiences with its timeless scares.