All Time Best: Twist Ending
No need to worry about spoilers.
There have been a thousand million twist endings. (That’s a real number by the way) Trying to come up with my all time favorite was actually pretty easy. It was simply a process of elimination.
Here are some of the contenders that just missed.
Signs
Swing away
People will disagree with this. So many people I’ve talked to about movies were shocked to learn that Signs is my favorite movie. The number one comment I hear is how they loved the movie until the end. I thought it was a fantastic ending. Shyamalan set things up perfectly. Whether you liked it or not is up to you.
However, it’s not my favorite twist ending.
Saw
What!?
That was my reaction in theaters when I saw this movie. Normally, studios feel the need to sell a movie based on it’s epic twist ending. I find that when you go in expecting a twist, you’re more likely to spot the hints. I had no idea this twist was coming and it shocked the hell out of me.
Still, Saw doesn’t win my award today.
The Sixth Sense
A real jerk ruined it for me.
The ending of this movie was ruined for me by one of my “friends”. I was devastated and didn’t bother seeing it in theaters. When I finally rented the movie, I regretted that decision because Shyamalan’s story still kicked my ass.
Had the ending not been ruined, this film would have probably been my favorite twist.
Seven
What’s in the box!
Whoa. Easily one of the best movies ever written. (In my humble opinion) I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t see this movie until a couple years ago. I had no idea what I was in for. When the final scene began, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Those are the best kinds of twists. The ones that blind side you. I’m an even bigger fan of the movies that wrap up quickly after the big reveal. It leaves you stunned in your seat trying to figure out how the filmmakers managed to manipulated you so easily.
All time best twist ending: Seven.
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I’m surprised no honorable mention of The Usual Suspects. That is still the one that boggled my mind. I think when the workday is over I will ponder some other great twist endings.
I thought after a long day I would have an idea of other movies to say, but I think you nailed the big ones. Looking over my selection of movies only one other movie with a twist ending jumps into my memory and that was for “Wild Things”.
I like your call on “Saw”. None of the people I know felt that the ending was surprising. I’m sorry, I didn’t see it ending that way. The movie closed the way a good horror movie should…leaving you with questions and wanting more! I won’t get into the sequels though.
Now if we could only find a way to keep people from ruining the twists!
Rant in 3, 2, 1…
Se7en? I saw that one a mile away. It was obvious what was coming when he walked into the police station (I was hoping I was wrong, disappointingly I was not). And then it’s an easy assumption as to what was being ‘delivered’ (trying not to spoil things here). All in all I just don’t get the appeal that Seven has for some people. It has some great moments, but the story felt weak, like the writer had lost interest by the third act and just tacked on that ‘twist’ because he couldn’t think of anything better. I mean, Fight Club was a hell of a lot better movie, and with a much more clever twist ending.
I mean it would kind of be like if Playing Through ended with the person on the other end of the phone going ***EDIT***Can’t let you ruin the ending lol***EDIT***
I found the Sixth Sense ending to be a good one, but I felt his movies went down hill after that. Unbreakable was ok, but a tad bit predictable. And Signs, well signs was just awful (we’ve had this discussion before). I don’t even consider it a twist at all. It was really obvious, and on top of that a pretty lame ending even if he hadn’t tried to present it as a ‘twist’. I really, really don’t get your fascination with this movie. It is so clumsily written, hammily acted, and has little or no plot so relies on ‘startling’. Something jumping into frame, etc. Only 1 of which I can recall being any good. It’s not a horror movie. A horror movie builds psychological tension in order to scare you. A ‘startle’ movie like Signs just sets up a weak plot to provide opportunities for things to jump out and go ‘BOO!’. Seriously, you need to find yourself a new favorite movie. Signs is hurting your cred.
There are many good twists, but one that comes to mind is ‘The Element Of Crime’. That was quite a shocking twist. Pick it up if you want to see an ACTUAL twist.
Some other good ones that come to mind:
Ivan’s Childhood
Session 9
The Machinist
(to name a few)
And the single all time greatest twist ending: The Prestige
Just my two cents, and you know I’m being extra hard on you about Signs. But for god sakes burn your copy of Signs! (and the Paterson film alien coffee mug and Mel Gibson bed-sheets too)
You really aren’t proud of my all time favourite movie choice eh? haha. The last time we talked about it, I thought I had finally gotten through to you.
The Prestige eh? I saw that one coming a mile away. I guess it comes down to the individual viewer. I wish I didn’t see a lot of twists coming. I’d rather get blind sided by them. Makes movies a lot more fun. I’m going to have to watch The Prestige again. Good call sir. So much better than The Illusionist.
I disagree with The Machinist pick. Loved that movie but meh with the twist. Haven’t even heard of the other ones. I’ll take them off your hands if you’ve got them haha. I finally joined Team Blu Ray by the way.
PS: I loved Signs and I don’t feel bad about it haha.
The Usual Suspects is definitely a good call. Definitely belongs on the list but there wasn’t enough room this time.
LOL. I don’t know how making up a fake ending is actually spoiling the ending. The only potential spoiler was that he gets a phone call and you left that part in.
We should talk about the Prestige at some point where we wont spoil it for people.