What are the best movie twists of all time?

Movie twists are often the hallmark of great storytelling and have the power to completely change the way we view a film. From classic films to modern blockbusters, here are some of the best movie twists of all time.

1. The Sixth Sense (1999)

M. Night Shyamalan’s breakout film, “The Sixth Sense,” features one of the most iconic movie twists of all time. Throughout the film, we follow child psychologist Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) as he tries to help a young boy named Cole (Haley Joel Osment) who claims to see dead people. The twist comes at the end of the film, when we realize that Malcolm himself has been dead the entire time. This twist not only recontextualizes the entire film, but it also makes the emotional journey of both Malcolm and Cole even more poignant.

2. Psycho (1960)

Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” is a classic thriller that features one of the most shocking twists in cinema history. Throughout the film, we follow Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) as she steals money and ends up at the Bates Motel, where she is murdered in the iconic shower scene. However, the twist comes later in the film, when we learn that Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), the seemingly mild-mannered owner of the motel, is actually a psychotic killer who has been posing as his mother. This twist not only subverts our expectations, but it also makes the character of Norman even more terrifying.

3. The Usual Suspects (1995)

“The Usual Suspects” is a crime thriller that features a twist ending that still leaves audiences reeling. The film follows a group of criminals who are brought together for a heist, but soon find themselves embroiled in a complex web of lies and deceit. The twist comes at the end of the film, when we learn that the entire story has been fabricated by one of the criminals, Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey), who is actually the notorious criminal mastermind, Keyser Soze. This twist not only makes us question everything we’ve seen in the film, but it also cements Verbal as one of the most unforgettable characters in cinema history.

4. The Prestige (2006)

Christopher Nolan’s “The Prestige” is a complex thriller that explores the world of magic and illusion. The film follows two rival magicians, Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman), as they compete to create the ultimate illusion. The twist in this film comes at the end, when we learn that Borden has been living a double life, with one twin brother pretending to be him in public while the other performs the magic tricks. This twist not only adds another layer of complexity to the film, but it also makes us question who we can trust in this world of illusion.

5. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

“The Empire Strikes Back” is widely regarded as the best Star Wars film, in part because of its iconic twist ending. The film follows Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) as he trains with Jedi master Yoda and battles the evil Empire, led by Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones). The twist in this film comes when we learn that Vader is actually Luke’s father, a revelation that completely changes the way we view the relationship between the two characters. This twist not only adds emotional depth to the story, but it also sets up the final confrontation between Luke and Vader in the next film.