Nothing leaves you more stunned at a movie’s ending than an amazing plot twist. Sometimes, though, the audience’s reaction to an allegedly shocking revelation is more along the lines of a collective “oh, come on.” These are the top ten excruciatingly predictable twists in modern films.
A Familiar Face in Disguise (2023 Sci-Fi Thriller): The entire movie revolves around a mysterious stranger with a hidden past. Surprise! It’s a close relative, revealed through a series of overly-obvious clues.
The Imaginary Killer Wasn’t So Imaginary After All (2022 Horror): The protagonist struggles to determine if a series of murders are real or a figment of their imagination. Spoiler alert: they’re real, and the twist is telegraphed from the very beginning.
It Was All a Dream… Again (2021 Thriller): The protagonist experiences a strange and unsettling series of events. The big reveal? It was all a dream (or a virtual reality simulation, take your pick). This tired trope feels like a lazy way out of a complex narrative.
The Villain Had a Change of Heart Out of the Blue (2024 Action Movie): The ruthless villain is moments away from achieving their nefarious goal. Suddenly, they have a last-minute change of heart and save the day. This unearned redemption feels unearned and uneventful.
The Red Herring Was Actually the Real Herring (2022 Mystery): The audience is led to believe one character is the culprit through a series of red herrings. Of course, that character is actually the culprit. Predictable and a touch boring.
The Sequel-Bait Ending (2023 Superhero Movie): The hero defeats the villain, but a post-credits scene reveals a new, even more powerful threat looming on the horizon. This predictable ending feels more like a commercial for the next installment than a satisfying conclusion.
It Was the Butler All Along… But Wait, Not Really! (2021 Crime Drama): The loyal butler is suspected of being the mastermind behind a series of crimes. The twist? It’s someone else entirely… except then another twist reveals it was the butler after all! This convoluted bait-and-switch leaves audiences feeling cheated.
The Monster Reveal Was More of a Meh (2022 Horror Film): The entire movie builds suspense around the identity of a terrifying monster. The big reveal? It’s a generic CGI creature that fails to live up to the hype.
The Dead Weren’t Really Dead (2024 Action Adventure): A beloved character seemingly dies in a heroic sacrifice. Cut to the post-credits scene where they’re miraculously alive, setting the stage for another film. Predictable and cynicism-inducing.
The Movie Was the Video Game All Along (2023 Sci-Fi): The characters are trapped in a seemingly real-world scenario. The twist? It’s all a virtual reality game. This tired trope feels like a missed opportunity for a more original story.