Top 10 Mind-Blowing M. Night Shyamalan Twists!

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As a movie lover, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as settling in for a great flick, only to be blindsided by an unexpected plot twist that leaves me reeling. Even when the film is exceptional, it’s often these shocking turns that linger longest in my memory once the credits have rolled. frankly, who doesn’t enjoy a good plot twist? But let’s face it, no one revels in them more than visionary filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan.

Over the course of his filmmaking career, Shyamalan’s movies have become renowned for their unexpected plot twists. Some of these twists have left viewers in awe and are fondly remembered for their shocking conclusions. On the other hand, certain plot twists have fallen short of expectations, leading to collective sighs or eye rolls from audiences. Here is a list of 10 plot twists from Shyamalan’s films, ranked from acceptable (if we stretch the definition) to the best.

10
The Aliens Can’t Survive on Earth

‘Signs’ (2002)

The story primarily revolves around a widowed character and his kin, who encounter strange events and intricate patterns in their crops – these phenomena hint at an approaching extraterrestrial invasion. As the situation becomes increasingly ominous, the aliens commence an attack on our protagonists, leaving them in a seemingly desperate predicament.

As it transpires, these extraterrestrials possess a significant vulnerability: water. Incredibly, these beings who have conquered interstellar navigation seem to lack common sense by attempting an invasion of a water-covered planet, which causes them harm with its acidic burns. Some might argue that the plot twist in “Signs” – a popular film and one of Shyamalan’s finest works – was weakened due to these aliens’ ill-advised plan, leaving many viewers feeling underwhelmed.

9
The Killer’s Wife Gave Him Up

‘Trap’ (2024)

In M. Night’s latest movie, a father and his daughter attend a pop star’s concert. Unbeknownst to them, the FBI is there to apprehend a notorious serial killer. Here’s the catch: the loving father turns out to be the very killer they are after. However, this “twist” isn’t much of a surprise as it was clearly hinted at in the film’s trailer, revealing the plot early on.

The surprising fact is that the murderer’s spouse provided information to the police, but even this revelation doesn’t propel the story Trap to the number one spot on our list.

8
A Pharmaceutical Company Is Running Tests

‘Old’ (2021)

In a rephrased manner:

A film titled Old accompanies a band of holidaymakers to a tranquil yet isolated coastal destination. Here, they encounter puzzling and sometimes fatal consequences of rapid aging. The movie leaves you guessing throughout, providing partial answers to the enigma.

It’s been discovered that a pharmaceutical company has been attracting tourists with pre-existing health conditions to a specific beach, enabling them to conduct long-term drug studies in just one day. The reason behind the rapid aging observed on this beach is unclear, but the pharmaceutical connection is intriguing enough to spark curiosity.

7
The World Really Is Going to End

‘Knock at the Cabin’ (2023)

Knock at the Cabin

The story revolves around a family enjoying a peaceful vacation at a secluded cabin, but their tranquility is shattered when four enigmatic and potentially harmful strangers show up unexpectedly at their doorstep. These strangers predict an impending doom and propose that only by sacrificing one of the family members can the catastrophe be prevented.

Throughout the events unfolding, you might find yourself questioning, “Could this be true? Is there actually an impending apocalypse, or are they merely misguided?” However, viewers, book enthusiasts, and perhaps even the author himself were taken aback to discover that, indeed, an apocalypse is underway. This differs from the novel’s ending, which left room for ambiguity.

6
‘Split’ and ‘Unbreakable’ Are Set in the Same Universe

‘Split’ (2016)

By the year 2016, many viewers found M. Night Shyamalan’s reputation for creating intriguing plot twists less impressive. It had been a while since he directed a twist that didn’t prompt laughter or eye-rolling from audiences. However, in 2016, Shyamalan made a comeback with the film Split, which was praised as a return to form for the director. It was a gripping thriller that featured one of Shyamalan’s most unforgettable endings. The movie focuses on Kevin Wendell Crumb, portrayed exceptionally by James McAvoy, who is struggling with an extreme case of dissociative identity disorder and has 23 distinct personalities. However, a 24th personality, known as The Beast, resides deep within Kevin’s mind, and he is ready to make his presence known to the group of girls he has kidnapped.

At the conclusion of “Split”, audiences discover about Kevin and his multiple personalities, collectively known as The Horde, via news broadcasts. A casual bystander comments on the footage, saying, “This is just like that mentally ill man in a wheelchair they locked up 15 years ago.” His acquaintance then replies, “And they gave him an amusing name, right? What was it?” The friend answers, “Mr. Glass.” It is later unveiled that this character is David Dunn (Bruce Willis), the extraordinary protagonist from Shyamalan’s 2000 film “Unbreakable”. As it transpires, both films take place in the same universe, paving the way for a third movie, “Glass”, released in 2019 and completing an unexpected trilogy. If you are familiar with “Unbreakable”, this final scene will be delightful; however, if you have not seen it, this twist fails to resonate at all.

5
The Old Woman Was the Devil

‘Devil’ (2010)

M. Night Shyamalan didn’t create, direct, or write “Devil”, but it’s still considered for this list. The plot unfolds almost entirely within an elevator and centers around five strangers who are stuck inside. One of them is the Devil, a fact that the characters, as well as viewers, try to decipher throughout the movie. As each stranger meets their demise, one by one, it’s assumed that the final survivor must be Satan himself.

In an unexpected turn of events, it’s revealed that the seemingly harmless elderly woman was actually the Devil, a character who was earlier depicted as having been killed in the movie. This shocking revelation, highlighted by her sudden rise from her chair in the background, is chilling and makes for an impressive plot twist.

4
Modern Times

‘The Village’ (2004)

In a small, 19th-century-styled village, where residents live in constant dread of imagined monsters lurking in the nearby woods, resides the setting for this movie – the fourth from M. Night Shyamalan. However, as is often the case with his work, things aren’t what they appear to be. The monsters are not real; instead, they serve as a device to keep the villagers confined within their community. But the twist doesn’t end there. What initially seems like a 19th-century society is actually a modern-day one, where these people have deliberately secluded themselves from mainstream society.

In the course of his career, Shyamalan experienced a significant shift with the release of the movie titled “The Village.” Prior to this film, his last three productions – “The Sixth Sense,” “Unbreakable,” and “Signs” – were warmly received by both critics and audiences. Initially, many viewers found the plot twist in “The Village” disappointing, often expressing their dissatisfaction with statements like “The monsters aren’t even real? That’s foolish.” However, as time has passed, critical opinions have become more lenient, and it is now widely acknowledged that the twist becomes more intriguing upon multiple viewings. Consequently, “The Village” has gained recognition as one of Shyamalan’s most underappreciated films.

3
The Grandparents Aren’t the Grandparents

‘The Visit’ (2015)

As a devoted cinephile, I’d like to highlight “The Visit” as an overlooked masterpiece that didn’t receive its due recognition upon release, largely because of lingering skepticism towards films by M. Night Shyamalan. However, the truth lies in the fact that this movie showcases one of his most intriguing plot twists. In a contemporary reimagining of “Hansel & Gretel,” two siblings find themselves at their long-estranged grandparents’ home, where their peculiar behavior sparks their curiosity to uncover the mystery behind their strange circumstances.

The truth was disclosed during a virtual conversation with the children’s mother. After meeting her parents, she shockingly admitted, “Those aren’t your grandparents.” It gives you goosebumps just thinking about it! Whether you appreciate the acting and script or not, this scene is sure to give you chills. Despite receiving favorable reviews, The Visit was mostly overlooked and was surpassed by Shyamalan’s subsequent film, Split.

2
Samuel L. Jackson Plays the Villain

‘Unbreakable'(2000)

In one of M. Night Shyamalan’s top films, “Unbreakable,” there’s a subtle dance between the suspenseful thriller and the heroic superhero genres. The character David Dunn, played by Bruce Willis, discovers he might have extraordinary powers after surviving an unusual train crash without injury. Guided by the fragile Elijah Price, or Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson), a comic book enthusiast with a penchant for superhero theories, Dunn steps into his role as a genuine real-life superhero.

However, just like Mr. Glass points out, every protagonist requires an antagonist. In a chilling revelation, Mr. Glass admits that he was responsible for Dunn’s train collision, along with two other incidents, all in his quest for a formidable adversary and to establish himself as the villain in another’s heroic narrative.

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1
He’s Been Dead the Whole Time

‘The Sixth Sense’ (1999)

Occasionally, the most apparent solution is the correct one, and there’s nothing else that could take the top spot but The Sixth Sense. This film catapulted M. Night Shyamalan into fame, showcasing his knack for intricate plot twists. A work of art that merges excitement and suspense with deep emotional drama, The Sixth Sense tells the story of Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis), a child psychologist, who treats a young patient who alleges to see and converse with the deceased.

The Sixth Sense” is renowned for its groundbreaking plot twist, a surprise that even those who haven’t watched the movie are aware of. The nail-biting conclusion unveils that Bruce Willis’ character was dead throughout the film. He was simply another ghost that the young boy could perceive and converse with. More than two decades later, it continues to be one of the most startling and legendary plot twists in cinematic lore.

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2025-03-21 04:03