10 Movies That Had Endless Plot Twists

WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for various movies.

Summary

• Having more than one major twist in a movie can be risky, although, when done correctly, leads to great cinematic experiences.
• The Village (2004) uses multiple plot twists, with the final one revealing that the movie is set in the present day and not the 19th Century as implied.
• Memento (2000) delivers a twist in nearly every scene, with each revelation changing the way viewers interpret the previous one.

Some movies, for better or for worse, have not only one but several plot twists. While a fun twist can bolster a movie’s plot, too many of them can become wearisome and ruin a movie. On the other hand, some movies have used multiple twists very effectively, toying with audience expectations to dupe the viewers for the entirety of the story.

The best movie twists provoke its audience to reconsider previous events with newfound knowledge. Indeed, the best movie twists encourage repeat viewing to reevaluate the entire movie in this new light. It can be a very effective technique if deployed correctly. Typically, movies with a twist ending deliver it in the final scenes, but some movies contain multiple plot twists throughout, often with mixed results.

10 The Village (2004)

Directed By M. Night Shyamalan

The Village has multiple plot twists which unfold during the final act. While some criticized The Village’s ending, in many ways, it was a clever tactic from M. Night. Shyamalan. Shyamalan’s movies had a reputation for delivering surprise twist endings after a string of successful horror-themed dramas. As a result, audiences were fully expecting a plot twist throughout The Village. By first revealing that the deadly monsters in the woods were merely villagers in elaborate costumes, it seemed Shyamalan had proffered his big reveals. Consequently, the final twist is even more startling – revealing that the movie is set in the present day and not the 19th Century as implied.

9 Memento (2000)

Directed By Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan’s Memento is riddled with plot twists. The movie is split into two sections, one in black and white which appears chronologically, and then a series of color scenes which are arranged in reverse order. Consequently, Nolan can deliver a twist in nearly every scene. Each color sequence completely changes the way viewers interpret the previous one. This is maintained throughout Memento and is highly effective, each revelation becoming increasingly significant as the narrative unfolds. Finally, it crescendos with a clever final twist that is still surprising despite the numerous examples that preceded it.

8 The Prestige (2006)

Directed By Christopher Nolan

The Prestige has numerous plot twists during its climax, with each reveal slightly more shocking than the last. Christopher Nolan’s tale about two rival stage magicians is full of dramatic events that complicate the narrative. The final scene, however, completely alters the meaning of these. The Prestige cleverly encourages its audience to make certain presumptions and predictions about the narrative, which it then undermines completely. While many of these are satisfying, the plot twists in The Prestige are endless. As a result, The Prestige feels more like a puzzle to be solved than a movie to be enjoyed.

7 Psycho (1960)

Directed By Alfred Hitchcock

Psycho had one of the most infamous twist endings of all time. However, there were twists and turns throughout the movie. Marion (Janet Leigh) stealing the money in the opening act was a surprising enough development, but her murder soon after was especially unforeseen. The notorious shower scene shocked many viewers, who presumed Leigh was the lead actor. After her shocking death, the rest of Psycho became wildly unpredictable, with several more plot twists to follow. Indeed, the final twist is perhaps cinema’s most famous, revealing that Norman Bates’ mother was dead all along.

6 Scream (1996)

Directed By Wes Craven

Scream followed in Psycho’s footsteps by killing its biggest star in the opening act, stating immediately that the movie would defy expectations. Scream cleverly fools the audience on numerous occasions, leading viewers to suspect one character is the killer before proffering irrefutable proof. The suspicion surrounding Billy is especially noteworthy. Throughout Scream, Billy is insinuated to be the killer, earning the suspicion of audiences and several characters. When he is seemingly murdered by Ghostface, this suspicion is momentarily lifted by viewers and the protagonist, Sidney. As a result, the final reveal that Billy is one of the killers is a surprise, even if viewers were primed for that exact scenario.

5 Now You See Me (2013)

Directed By Louis Leterrier

As a heist movie, Now You See Me is full of plot twists and unexpected events. The narrative concerns a troupe of bank-robbing magicians, proffering a series of revelations and narrative complications. Indeed, the majority of the movie is based around these moments. This becomes tiresome quite quickly, with each revelation seeming more illogical than the last. The biggest of these comes at the end of Now You See Me, which reveals that Officer Rhodes is the mastermind behind the entire scheme. This final twist is the most confounding. It undermines the entire movie, rather than proposing an enlightened, secondary meaning to previous events.

4 Black Swan (2010)

Directed By Darren Aronofsky

The plot twists in Black Swan are quite effective and entertaining, but it does feel like they are endless. Darren Aronofsky’s psychological thriller about feuding ballet dancers and mental illness offers a particularly compelling exploration of jealousy and madness, using several plot twists to highlight the protagonist Nina’s faltering grasp on reality. The endless plot twists place the audience in the same confused state as Nina herself, bolstering the narrative’s tension and expressionist visuals. These ultimately make Black Swan‘s final revelation even more compelling – revealing that Nina fatally injured herself, and not her rival.

3 Mission: Impossible (1996)

Directed By Brian De Palma

Many of the later Mission: Impossible movies follow a fairly simple premise packed with impressive stunts. This is a sharp contrast to the very first Mission: Impossible movie, which was laden with plot twists and misdirection. Even the opening sequence featured a surprising diversion from the presumed narrative. The entire movie hinged on espionage sequences and ulterior motives that dupe characters and audiences alike. Most of these were deftly delivered, demonstrating distinct narrative efficiency and fantastic use of spy movie tropes. However, some of these scenes were convoluted and confusing, and Mission: Impossible might have been stronger with fewer of them.

2 Mindhunters (2004)

Directed By Renny Harlin

Mindhunters is a crime slasher movie starring an ensemble cast including Christian Slater and Val Kilmer. Its plot depicts a team of FBI agents on a training mission who become hunted by an unknown assailant. Various theories are suggested throughout, along with a slew of suspicious characters, with Mindhunters seemingly reveling in the plethora of plot twists. Though likely not the movie’s intention, Mindhunters‘ excessive plot twists become comical by the end of the movie – lending the movie a slightly farcical tone which, if anything, improves it.

1 Gone Girl (2014)

Directed By David Fincher

David Fincher’s Gone Girl starts promisingly, but the abundance of plot twists soon becomes tiresome. The movie stars Ben Affleck as a man accused of causing his wife’s disappearance. The opening act is captivating, impeccably performed, and delivered with Fincher’s trademark slick style. The second half of the movie, however, is essentially just one plot twist after another, starting with the reveal that Amy was behind the entire plot. The endless revelations rapidly turn wearisome, making Gone Girl a prime example of how too many plot twists can make a movie a bit too confusing.