The best plot surprises are those that catch you off guard. There’s nothing like settling into a good movie, only to be taken aback by an unforeseen plot twist just when you think you have the story figured out. Even with excellent movies, it’s often the unexpected plot twists that stick in your mind the longest. Examples of Hollywood’s most memorable and iconic surprises include _The Usual Suspects_, _The Sixth Sense_, and _Citizen Kane_.
Notable surprises can be found in the latest crop of movies, with “latest” referring to those that have been premiered within the past 3 years. Among these fresh releases, a dozen or so have delivered unexpected plot twists that left audiences reeling and fixated on their screens in astonishment.
This goes without saying, but reader beware: spoilers lie ahead.
10
The Killer’s Wife Gave Him Up
‘Trap’ (2024)
Movie director M. Night Shyamalan, recognized for surprising plot developments in his films, didn’t disappoint with his latest production released in 2024, titled Trap. In this film, the character Cooper, played by Josh Hartnett, is a suburban father who accompanies his teenage daughter to a pop star’s concert. Unbeknownst to them, the FBI is covertly at the venue, attempting to apprehend a serial killer.
If you haven’t watched the film’s preview, it might astonish you to discover that Cooper is the fugitive the FBI is pursuing. However, if you’ve already seen the trailer and unintentionally had the movie spoiled for you, don’t fret – there’s another unexpected turn. It transpires that Cooper’s spouse was the one who informed the police.
9
The Women Are Prisoners in a Virtual Reality
‘Don’t Worry Darling’ (2022)
Titled “Don’t Worry Darling,” this psychological thriller showcases the talents of Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, and Chris Pine. The story revolves around a housewife residing in a seemingly perfect 1950s suburbia. However, things are not as they seem. As the narrative unfolds, we discover that the apparent paradise conceals something far more ominous: these women are unknowingly living in a simulation, held captive within this virtual reality by their manipulative and domineering husbands, who are the architects of their confinement.
In terms of its 1950s backdrop, chilling narrative, and shocking plot surprise, the film “Don’t Worry Darling” seems reminiscent of a tale straight from “The Outer Limits.
8
The FBI Agent’s Mother Was an Accomplice
‘Longlegs’ (2024)
In 2024, the horror film “Longlegs” was one of the most significant, largely due to a nerve-wracking acting display by Nicolas Cage that gained much attention. This movie, set in the ’90s, revolves around FBI agent Lee Harker (played by Maika Monroe), who’s on a mission to capture an elusive occultist murderer, known only as “Longlegs.
As a movie enthusiast, if you think you’re walking into a replica of “The Silence of the Lambs,” you’re in for quite a twist! There are more surprises than just one. It turns out that Longlegs has been hiding in Lee’s childhood home all along. But here’s the real shocker: his mother has been secretly aiding in the murders as an accomplice.
7
Arthur Isn’t the Real Joker
‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ (2024)
The much-awaited follow-up to the 2019 critically praised movie, “Joker,” titled “Joker: Two Madnesses, ” reunites Joaquin Phoenix, who won an Oscar for his role as Joker, with Harley Quinn, portrayed by Lady Gaga. However, despite the star-studded cast and Todd Phillips reprising his directorial duties, “Joker: Two Madnesses” didn’t quite match its predecessor. A point of contention among viewers was the film’s unexpected finale.
In the final scene, an unrecognized prisoner steps forward and shares a joke with Arthur Fleck (Phoenix), better known as the Joker. As he finishes his joke, this prisoner pulls out a knife and fatally stabs Arthur in the abdomen. Arthur succumbs to his injuries, while the assailant erupts in wild laughter. Interestingly, the murderer then carves a grin into his own face, echoing Heath Ledger’s interpretation of the Joker. This ending suggests that this mysterious prisoner might be the actual Joker, Batman’s ultimate nemesis, and that Arthur Fleck was not the true Joker all along.
6
Argylle and Kingsman Share a Universe
‘Argylle’ (2024)
Much anticipation surrounded the launch of the spy action-comedy “Argylle,” directed by filmmaker Matthew Vaughn. This movie revolves around a secluded author who finds herself entangled in the world of espionage when she discovers that her latest spy novel bears an uncanny resemblance to real-life occurrences. The film boasts an illustrious cast, including Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, and numerous others.
The unexpected revelation isn’t that Taylor Swift authored the film’s accompanying novel, as many assumed (she didn’t). Instead, the shocking twist unfolds at the movie’s very end during a mid-credits scene. In this scene, it’s disclosed that the film “Argylle” takes place in the same universe as the well-known espionage series, “Kingsman.” Upon reflection, we should have anticipated this connection since Matthew Vaughn is one of the creators of the “Kingsman” franchise.
5
The Stuntman Was Set Up by His Movie Star
‘The Fall Guy’ (2024)
This series highlights an often underestimated part of the movie industry: the role of stunt performers. In this show, a stuntman gets entangled in a plot twist as he assists with the production of his former lover’s high-action movie debut as a director.
The conspiracy, as you inquire, revolves around the twist in the movie’s storyline. It appears that Stuntman Colt Seaver (played by Ryan Gosling) discovers a shocking truth: Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), the actor he stands in for on set, manipulated situations to frame Colt for the murder of another stuntman and orchestrated an accidental stunt that injured Colt, damaging his career.
4
Chris Evans Doesn’t Play Captain America
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (2024)
In this film, Ryan Reynolds reprises his role as the sarcastic hero Deadpool, while Hugh Jackman returns for his tenth portrayal of Wolverine – a character more synonymous with him. This movie not only featured these two modern Fox characters, but also incorporated them into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Deadpool & Wolverine offers an abundance of excitement, a touch of nostalgia, plenty of action, and a multitude of cameos, including MCU star Chris Evans.
As a die-hard Marvel fan, I can’t help but be thrilled about the unexpected twist in “Deadpool & Wolverine”! When Chris Evans made an appearance, everyone, even the witty Deadpool, presumed it was Captain America. But boy, were we in for a surprise! It turned out that he wasn’t embodying our beloved Cap, but rather his first Marvel superhero role – the Human Torch from the original “Fantastic Four” movies. What a delightful surprise that was!
3
Oliver Was a Sociopath All Along
‘Saltburn’ (2023)
In the film “Saltburn”, we follow the story of an uneasy teenager named Oliver (Barry Keoghan), who unexpectedly enters the lavish lifestyle of his affluent classmate, spending time at the grand Saltburn estate, part-owned by this friend’s family. This movie was one of the most buzzed-about films in 2023, with its numerous startling and gruesome scenes contributing to the hype, as well as a surprising plot turn.
Throughout the story, you’re given the impression that Oliver is a weak and pitiful individual. However, unexpectedly, it’s revealed that Oliver is actually a cunning manipulator who has been orchestrating events all along. Gradually, Oliver murders each member of his wealthy classmate’s family, ultimately aiming to seize Saltburn for himself – a plan he had conceived from the very beginning.
2
Patrick Is a Robot Too
‘Companion’ (2025)
The movie titled “Companion” is a thrilling sci-fi horror production which chronicles a couple and their companions during a weekend retreat. As suggested by the film’s trailer, one of the group members, a young lady called Iris (Sophie Thatcher), turns out to be a robot.
Nevertheless, it seems that there’s another intriguing plot twist concealed within the storyline of this companion. It turns out that Iris isn’t the sole robot in the group; even the seemingly ordinary Patrick (played by Lukas Gage) is a robot as well.
1
The New Pope Is Intersex
‘Conclave’ (2024)
In the year 2024, “Conclave” was among the most anticipated Oscar contenders, earning a total of 8 nominations. However, when Cardinal Lawrence (portrayed by Ralphi Fiennes) is entrusted with choosing a new Pope, he stumbles upon a secret plot that involves one of the potential candidates within the Church.
As expected, the plot twist in the film revolves around the conspiracy surrounding Cardinal Benitez (Carlos Diehz). Ultimately, he is chosen as the new Pope. Towards the end, it’s disclosed that Cardinal Benitez was born intersex—meaning he was assigned male at birth but also has a uterus and ovaries. This secret, hidden by the previous Pope, has the potential to rock the Catholic Church to its core.
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2025-03-27 02:02