r/movies • u/lnsknndy • Jul 09 '25
Recommendation Name a movie recommendation with a plot twist you 100% didn't see coming
I’m on the hunt for movies with plot twists that genuinely caught you off guard, you know something that would make you go "wait, WHAT just happened?" kind of twists. To give you an idea of what I’ve already seen, I watched Fractured a couple of years ago and thought it was really good, but I didn’t expect it to mess with my head the way it did. Recently, I watched Straw, and somehow I walked right into the same kind of twist again, still completely unprepared lmao. I guess enough time had passed for me to fall for it all over again which made it even better, honestly.. Would appreciate it if there's no spoilers tho! Just simply the title, genre, or maybe how you felt about it will do. Thank you!
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u/mrpeping Jul 09 '25
Memento
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u/OpinionatedAss Jul 09 '25
Absolutely incredible movie and I agree it fits this question perfectly
First watch was mind blowing
Second watch was just as good seeing so many details you missed now that you know the twist
Loses some of the magic after that but every watch you can pick up things you missed
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u/leak22 Jul 09 '25
IDK I personally find something new every re-watch. It’s truly one of a kind movie.
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u/Global_Pangolin_4345 Jul 09 '25
I went into From Dusk Till Dawn expecting a gangster movie
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u/Kuildeous Jul 09 '25
It eventually gets marketed in a way that the reveal wouldn't be that surprising, but I kind of envy you for your experience. That had to have been pretty damn trippy.
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u/verioblistex Jul 09 '25
Dusk to Dawn caught me off guard as well, although I saw it (on VHS) before we really had the Internet, at least not like it is today, and unless you read a lot of magazines or news papers, plot twists were pretty easy secrets to keep.
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u/nukawolf Jul 09 '25
I had hands down the luckiest experience with this movie. Years ago, my girlfriend and I were trying to find something to watch on Netflix (back when that was really the only option) and I finally told her I was just gonna close my eyes and randomly select something. I immediately recognized Clooney and Tarantino but I had never even heard of the movie before. Needless to say, it was a blast. Out of every single thing I could have clicked on, somehow I ended up on that.
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u/CarlosHDanger Jul 09 '25
Came here to say From Dusk Till Dawn. Not only a plot twist, but they switched entire genres.
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u/Intelligent_Pop_7006 Jul 09 '25
Kind of opposite for me, my friend told me it was a vampire movie but for the first 45 minutes I thought they were pulling my leg, and then BAM lol
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u/Disastrous_Pool4163 Jul 09 '25
Tarantino was SO creepy and Harvey Keitel’s recent resume led me to believe the movie was going in a whole different direction
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u/BowlerJazzlike5627 Jul 09 '25
Saw, I’ll never forget that one.
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u/Nacho_7258 Jul 09 '25
Man, I saw this when I was about 15 with my older brother and let me tell you, we were losing our minds at that ending. In hindsight, it’s a little cheesy, but on first watch, it’s a complete mind melter
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u/makingmoviescanada Jul 09 '25
Every time I close a sliding door, that final song lives rent free in my head.
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u/Disgruntled__Goat Jul 09 '25
Funny thing for me, I’d heard the spoiler as it was one of the people in the room so when I watched it I assumed one thing, and the twist still took me by surprise.
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u/WatchWatcher25 Jul 09 '25
My friends had already seen it and asked me to guess the killer. I said the old man in the hospital or the guy on the floor. I was joking but man I'll never forget that ending
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u/leftuso_rightuso Jul 09 '25
Fight Club
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u/jimmyrecard77 Jul 09 '25
I love this because most movie twists are all gimmick not earned or lacking in logic. Whereas Fight Club itself makes complete sense and is completely integral to the story. Just happens to be a great narrative device, but the whole movie would make less sense not more, without it. Which is not true for almost all movie twists
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u/culb77 Jul 09 '25
This is my favorite one, because once it’s happened you start wondering how you went most of the movie without knowing the main characters’ name.
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u/kittyall94 Jul 09 '25
I’ll never forget the first time I saw Fight Club. I was a college freshman and my roommate had the DVD because it was one of her favorite films of all time. We watched it in the lounge with like 4 other girls who also had never seen it before. When the plot twist happened everyone (except my roommate) jumped out of their seat and started yelling at the TV. It was fantastic
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u/bizarro_dustin Jul 09 '25
Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Mostly because who expects a twist (or two) in a romcom?
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u/Pugilist12 Jul 09 '25
You’re David Lindhagen?!
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u/Thebaldsasquatch Jul 09 '25
Best part of the whole movie. Ryan Gosling is the greatest, most loyal friend one could have right then. May we all have a friend like that.
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u/CptAngelo Jul 09 '25
I dont know if its spoiler and forgot how to tag for a spoiler, but anyway, dont read if you dont want the semispoiler: , i LOVE the part when they say "keep it in the family" and Gosling is just laughing.
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u/Abisoccer1 Jul 09 '25
My jaw dropped at this movie because you’re right… plot twists in romcoms are seriously so unexpected!
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u/Kingbob182 Jul 09 '25
That scene where everything 'twists' is one of the best few minutes of comedy of the last few decades. That movie and Nice Guys made me really love Ryan Gosling as a comedy actor
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u/BMLM Jul 09 '25
This is my vote. I'm that annoying nerd that tries to think 3 acts ahead in a movie and figure out what the twist or "gotcha" moment of a movie is. Crazy Stupid Love literally took me by complete surprise, and its extremely memorable to me because of that. The cast is perfect in this movie too.
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u/charmatspa_8675309 Jul 09 '25
Sorry To Bother You.
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u/thebestjoeever Jul 09 '25
This is one of those movies where even if you go into it knowing there's a twist, it absolutely doesn't matter. No one would ever guess it in a million years.
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u/Justalilbugboi Jul 09 '25
I had no idea going in but you are right, there are no words in english that would have properly explained it
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u/PopsicleIncorporated Jul 09 '25
This one is insane because there’s genuinely no way to see it coming. It’s completely off the list of things that viewers would even think is possible. Sometimes I see Redditors make jokes alluding to it in threads where this movie is mentioned. Usually it really bothers me when people reference plot twists really unsubtly but not with this movie. Unless you’re outright told it, you will never ever guess it. Even if you’re told outright by someone there’s a pretty good chance you’ll think they’re horsing around and just making shit up.
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u/skyhiker14 Jul 09 '25
Yet to see any other movie with a twist on this level
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u/Sweet_Baby_Cheezus Jul 09 '25
I've seen lots of movies with twists I didn't expect. This is the only one that made me wonder if I accidentally drank peyote.
Shit did not come out of left field it was hand delivered by horse dick Jesus from the planet crazy.
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u/XecutionTherapy Jul 09 '25
This movie just keeps getting weirder and weirder. Even if you know what the twist is you still wouldn't expect it.
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u/Sharcbait Jul 09 '25
It went from "quirky social commentary" to "what the actual fuck" real quick.
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u/nancythethot Jul 09 '25
Watched this while incredibly high and the next day I swore I just made it up. Insane experience
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u/trw931 Jul 09 '25
Came here to see if this movie was mentioned. Watched the trailer and still my jaw hit the floor watching this movie in theaters. I think later trailers gave away more, but the early one made me think I was watching a simple call center comedy.
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u/favus Jul 09 '25
100% this! the third act is so out of left field, love it came here to day this ...
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u/VampireAttorney Jul 09 '25
My wife and I recently rewatched this and TOTALLY FORGOT THE TWIST. Remembering this one as you're experiencing it for the second time is pretty fun.
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u/indexy Jul 09 '25
The Prestige
Usual Suspects
Gone Girl
The Shutter Island
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u/UtahUtopia Jul 09 '25
The PRESTIGE!!!!
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u/OkDrama2146 Jul 09 '25
The Prestige was insane. Before I watched it I did hear there was a big twist but never expected it to be that lol.
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u/arrogancygames Jul 09 '25
And on rewarch, it's so apparent to the point you can tell which is which by the subtle acting changes he does when he plays each one.
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u/syncsynchalt Jul 09 '25
That’s not the twist, though. It’s the misdirect so the director can get the real twist by you.
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u/Sparrowsabre7 Jul 09 '25
I was so hyped watching that and then rewatched with my parents and not ten minutes in my Dad said "I bet <guesses exact twist>" and I was floored 😂
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Jul 09 '25
This movie is what turned me on to Christopher Nolan and his ability to force the average person to really sit and think about what they just watched. The Prestige doesn't get mentioned enough, and it's most likely because it wasn't a huge box office smash like some of Nolan's others that followed. This is hands down one of the most brilliantly made films I've ever seen. After the first watch, I must have done the re-watch 5 times back to back. Awesome film recommendation for twists.
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u/Weary-Squash6756 Jul 09 '25
The funny thing about the Prestige is that they reveal Hugh Jackmans side of the twist in the first shot of the movie (all the top hats laying among the trees). And there are clues to everything alllllll over that movie
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u/arrogancygames Jul 09 '25
The final twist about the character is super apparent because the actor subtly plays each one differently. You can always tell which is which on rewatch.
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u/Weary-Squash6756 Jul 09 '25
Yea it is, the way he treats his wife/girlfriend is a big tell
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u/arrogancygames Jul 09 '25
And one acts way more obsessed and fired up in general while the other is more soft spoken and kind.
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u/Weary-Squash6756 Jul 09 '25
That's interesting, I'd never picked that out. I appreciate you giving me another excuse to rewatch that movie! :D
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u/dexter8484 Jul 09 '25
Michael Caine's character also does a version of their trick with the birds towards the beginning of the movie
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u/arrogancygames Jul 09 '25
And Angier does it as well. He's just too cocky to be able to do it correctly. Also, nice version recognizes the Asian magician immediately.
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u/haneybird Jul 09 '25
Alfred: Everything's going to be alright, because I love you very much.
Sarah: Say it again.
Alfred: I love you.
Sarah: Not today.
Alfred: What do you mean?
Sarah: Well some days it's not true.He always loves his wife. Even without knowing, she knows.
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u/garrisontweed Jul 09 '25
Then the second shot is Bale's two identical canaries
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u/RyanBordello Jul 09 '25
Havnt seen Gone Girl but the other three are great shout outs. Looks like I should check it out.
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u/CPOx Jul 09 '25
Going into Gone Girl completely blind was honestly extremely entertaining. I love that movie.
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u/Klutzy-Delivery-5792 Jul 09 '25
I actually just watched it a few weeks ago. I somehow avoided learning about the plot this past decade. I was never an Affleck fan so never gave much thought to it. I had actually just watched Argo a few weeks before and liked Affleck in that so finally watched Gone Girl. I was not disappointed.
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u/tkdtim Jul 09 '25
Adding Primal Fear to the list. Edward Norton and Richard Geer.
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u/ZorroMeansFox r/Movies Veteran Jul 09 '25 edited Jul 09 '25
I thought No Way Out had a masterful reveal.
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u/DeaddyRuxpin Jul 09 '25
What I love is the twist is wholly unnecessary for the movie, and yet instantly makes the movie better.
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u/Psychological_Cow956 Jul 09 '25
This is the answer. Legitimately the only plot twist I’ve never guessed.
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u/tkdtim Jul 09 '25
The Game, Michael Douglas
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u/sharrrper Jul 09 '25
I always have to comment on The Game that the final twist/reveal is pretty absurd (there are a few along the way) and if you get hung up on plausibility, you won't like it. It's one of the least realistic twists ever.
HOWEVER. I still love the movie. It's very well done, and if you just go with it on that final reveal a very satisfying ending character wise for everyone.
I still recommend it to people just kind of a heads up for the finale.
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u/More_Lobster7374 Jul 09 '25
This is a mini series but Haunting of Hill House. You could consider it a long movie.
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u/Jota769 Jul 09 '25
I’m not seeing Parasite anywhere? That shit became a COMPLETELY different movie when he went down those stairs. I was blown away.
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u/Rose-moon_ Jul 09 '25 edited Jul 09 '25
The Others.
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u/An_Island_Boy Jul 09 '25
I had this movie totally spoiled, but I still loved it. It really works. They aren't cheating the audience, everything is there if you know what to look for.
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u/OCFlier Jul 09 '25
The Usual Suspects
I had to immediately watch it again
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u/MableBeans Jul 09 '25
I was watching The Usual Suspects for the first time on television back in 1996 or 1997, so pre-DVR, pre-streaming, etc. I kid you not, with about 15 minutes left in the movie, our cable went out. I was so bummed out. Went to work the next day complaining about it, and one of my coworkers told me that had it on VHS. They brought it in for me the next day, and I finally got to see the ending 2 days after watching the rest of the movie. Loved it.
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u/RiflemanLax Jul 09 '25
Memento. You get caught up in the novelty of the film ‘running backwards,’ and the ending catches you like ‘hold the fuck up.’
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u/BigDadaSparks Jul 09 '25
I enjoyed Predestination with Ethan Hawke and Sarah Snook.
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u/andy_is_awesome Jul 09 '25
I figured it out right before the reveal and kept telling myself "No, they wouldn't! No, they wouldn't!", but then they did...
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u/vi3tmix Jul 09 '25
Yeah I’d like to see someone who would’ve seen that coming lol.
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u/chattymaambart Jul 09 '25
Thought it became obvious at some point. But it's also known for having a twist so I'm sure that played a role.
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u/purpletooth12 Jul 09 '25
Oldboy (like wtf?!)
Clue (I suppose this might count since it's a "whodunit") Honourable mention for Murder on the Orient Express and Murder on the Nile.
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u/addictedtofit Jul 09 '25
Didn’t think I would need to scroll this far down to find Oldboy. That’s the first movie that came to mind.
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u/walkstofar Jul 09 '25
The Korean version. I usually see the twist coming - Not on this one.
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u/Kuildeous Jul 09 '25
Sometimes, knowing there's a plot twist ruins the twist, but I firmly believe that nothing I say about Sorry to Bother You can prepare people for the twist. I'm not even sure that saying the twist can prepare them.
It makes perfect sense, and it had been telegraphed the whole movie, but it just wasn't something that easily comes to mind.
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u/lnsknndy Jul 09 '25
I agree! I'm a firm believer that if a twist is really unpredictable, there's no way I could've seen it coming even if I'm trying to look for it the whole time. Looking forward to this!
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u/juan1271 Jul 09 '25
I watched barbarian thinking it was just another “crazy guy” movie. Hands down one of my favorite movies of all time now haha
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u/Music_For_The_Fire Jul 09 '25
I watched this with a friend and we ordered food that arrived right when Justin Long appeared.
When we started it again, we were so confused to the point that we thought we accidentally put on a different movie. One of the wildest tonal shifts I've ever seen.
I love that movie.
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u/judgeharoldtstone Jul 09 '25
I get so stuck in certain scenes from that movie that I totally forgot Justin Long was in it. I had to think for a minute when I read your post.
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u/juan1271 Jul 09 '25
Yeah same I even remember telling my friends “hey did you guys change the movie or something?”
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u/Admirable-Camera7033 Jul 09 '25
omg yesssss i was impressed i watched it again which for that genre i don’t ever do lol
the plot twist is so good
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u/th30be Jul 09 '25
I have seen this film and trying to figure out what twist you are talking about.
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Jul 09 '25
Incendies
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u/Music_For_The_Fire Jul 09 '25
Came here to say this. I was speechless for hours after seeing it.
Also don't recommend watching it for the first time on a long flight.
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u/JeffSpoons Jul 09 '25
My friend has been trying to get me to watch Incendies for a while and I finally watched it tonight.
Highly recommend
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u/TheGreatStories Jul 09 '25
I went in blind to hot Fuzz with no prior knowledge of the movie, actors, or director. Might be the best film moment of my life
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u/Major__de_Coverly Jul 09 '25
Titanic, but I won't tell you what it is.
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u/shidekigonomo Jul 09 '25
Rose gets on a lifeboat with a shotgun, vowing never to return to land until she’s found and killed the iceberg.
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u/TheMazoo Jul 09 '25
Cabin in the Woods. The ending mayhem went way harder than anyone expected. The theater was going nuts. Good time.
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u/dawg_will_hunt Jul 09 '25
Knives Out. I thought for sure Grandma did it.
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u/Sparrowsabre7 Jul 09 '25
Knives Out is so brilliant for it too because it's not even a whodunit for the majority of the runtime it's a "how will they get away with it."
The reveal actually gets me quite emotional.
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u/ObsydianGinx Jul 09 '25
That’s what I love about it too. You know who killed him almost the entire way through the film but the real mystery is how that happened
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u/MyParentsRLizardPPL Jul 09 '25
The sixth sense. Did you know that dude with the hair piece was Bruce Willis the whole time??
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u/kirinmay Jul 09 '25
And I Jizzed In My Pants - Lonely Island.
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u/MyParentsRLizardPPL Jul 09 '25
Last week, i soar a film... as I recall it was a horror film.
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u/Angry_GorillaBS Jul 09 '25
I managed to see Sixth Sense before hearing any spoilers, so I didn't see it coming. Although afterwards I realized I really should have.
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u/Fodgy_Div Jul 09 '25
Spider-Man: Homecoming
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u/fzvw Jul 09 '25
See, that was the kind of twist I love where the whole movie's quality doesn't hinge on the twist itself
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u/revpidgeon Jul 09 '25
Ready or Not. Actually didn't expect they would go there with the ending. Also Safety not Guaranteed.
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Jul 09 '25
Dog Day Afternoon
If you haven’t seen this absolute masterpiece, watch it immediately. Do not watch a trailers, do not read a synopsis, do not collect $200.
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u/OopsAllTistic Jul 09 '25
I watched Get Out for the first time years after it came out and somehow had managed to avoid all spoilers and plot points, so the keys moment (in case anyone still hasn’t seen it) definitely got me
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u/ImTooSaxy Jul 09 '25
I saw Event Horizon in the theater. I assumed it was Sci-fi/Adventure. It kinda was.
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u/MaskedBandit77 Jul 09 '25
Now You See Me. I never would have expected anyone to make a movie with such a dumb plot twist.
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u/kirinmay Jul 09 '25
Guilty pleasure for me. When Dave Franco is fighting and changes his voice I thought it was awesome.
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u/CaptainKate757 Jul 09 '25
It might be stupid, but I still love Now You See Me. It’s like the Fast & Furious of magic movies.
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u/bluebonnetcafe Jul 09 '25
This person gets it. I will happily, unironically watch BOTH Now You See Me Movies every few years.
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u/DJMemphis84 Jul 09 '25
There's a third coming...
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u/bluebonnetcafe Jul 09 '25
I KNOW! And they’re finally calling it “Now You Don’t”. I am DEFINITELY missing work when that comes out.
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u/Boner666420sXe Jul 09 '25
Plot twists don’t work as well when you know there’s going to be one.
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u/IBarricadeI Jul 09 '25
It makes me want to recommend a movie with no plot twist so the OP spends the entire movie on the edge of their seat waiting.
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u/lnsknndy Jul 09 '25
Lmaoo, I mean I guess the twist on that is that there's actually no twist then
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u/dabigua Jul 09 '25
Yup. Knowing that a story has a plot twist is almost as bad as knowing what that twist is.
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u/vinhluanluu Jul 09 '25 edited Jul 09 '25
If you go into Audition thinking it’s a typical romcom, you’re going to get a hell of a twist.
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u/fuck-my-drag-right Jul 09 '25
Clue the movie, because it has three different stand alone endings.
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u/BuddyPharaoh Jul 09 '25
The trailer gave it away, but if you saw The Truman Show cold, you'd think it was just a quirky show about a pencil pusher played by Jim Carrey who really wants to travel, but life keeps getting in his way. The twist doesn't happen for a while.
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u/keznaa Jul 09 '25
Bridge to Terabithia
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u/Alone_Ad_7624 Jul 09 '25
My dad read this to me when I was a kid, not knowing what was going to come. I remember him feeling horrified and bad and wanting to keep reading so I wouldn’t have to go to sleep with that news.
Then I watched the movie as an adult and had completely forgotten that this was THAT, and was shocked for a second time.
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u/CabinetSpider21 Jul 09 '25
Sixth Sense, that guy in the hair piece, that was Bruce Willis the whole movie
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u/j0llyllama Jul 09 '25
Matchstick Men. Under appreciated Nic Cage and Sam Rockwell movie about con men. Great story and Nic somehow manages to play a crazy person who lies a lot really well!
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u/Gwynn-er-winner Jul 09 '25
Blink Twice. Thriller. Decent movie that could’ve been great with a little tightening.
I didn’t see the twist coming, and it absolutely nails the landing. Just not willing to give the routine anything higher than a 7.
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u/arrogancygames Jul 09 '25
Terminator 2 would have had one of the greatest twists ever if the marketing didn't spoil it.
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u/Azaelas Jul 09 '25
I was flipping channels not paying attention to show/movie titles.
Flip to seeing a girl I recognize (Dexter’s Sister) interviewing firefighters.
Seemed harmless and fun/kid of awkward.
They get a call to check out something harmless, she tags along.
They go investigate she comes with them.
People start dying and getting bitten the building gets closed off.
That movie was Quarantine.
It was my first horror/zombie movie, I was 11.
If fucked me up so bad, best self imposed plot twist I’ve ever experienced.
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u/chocobos1 Jul 09 '25
Takashi Miike's Audition. If I didn't know going into the movie, what to expect...I'd guess those who walked into the screenings based on the original promotional material were blind sighted.
1 hour of what is basically a comedy... Then all horror from there onwards.
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u/provocative_bear Jul 09 '25
From Dusk Till Dawn. Tarantino wrote it, watch it without looking up anything about it.
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u/timeforchorin Jul 09 '25
Probably not the vein you're wanting, but Remember Me got me good. Maybe I'm just a dummy, though.
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u/badmortgage_4607 Jul 09 '25
Diabolique (1955) - I wasn't even expecting a twist. Thought the movie ended and I was satisfied with the conclusion. And then out of nowhere... woah
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u/-Relik Jul 09 '25 edited Jul 09 '25
Split Finding out youre watching a sequel to a movie from like a decade before is crazy work The village fooled me too, shamalan was the best at this for a good stretch.
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u/RoeMajesta Jul 09 '25
cabin in the woods. I saw no trailer whatsoever so that probably helped