Photo credit: movieweb.com
Spoiler Warning: The following text includes in-depth descriptions of various movie endings.
Some movie endings leave viewers astounded, while others truly take risks, showcasing creativity and unexpected turns. The 2020s have already delivered a variety of films that exemplify this trend. While some conclusions are straightforward in their absurdity, others may require multiple viewings to grasp fully.
When considering genres known for shocking conclusions, horror often comes to mind first. However, this list reveals that wild endings can emerge from any genre. What’s essential is the willingness to venture into new territory, which many films from this decade boldly achieve.
10
‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ (2022)
Release Date: August 5, 2022
Runtime: 95 minutes
Director: Halina Reijn
Writers: Sarah DeLappe, Kristen Roupenian
A strong plot twist can make or break a film’s conclusion. The twist in Bodies Bodies Bodies is both straightforward and impactful. In this dark comedy from A24, Bee (Maria Bakalova) goes with her girlfriend, Sophie (Amandla Stenberg), to a mansion party while a hurricane looms. Directed by Halina Reijn, the film showcases a script from playwright Sarah DeLappe.
Casting Pete Davidson in This Role Made It All Come Together
When the host, David (played by Pete Davidson), is discovered dead, the friends become increasingly suspicious and turn against one another. This spirals into a series of detrimental accidents. The tension escalates when Bee and Sophie, unable to trust each other, inadvertently exchange phones amidst their argument, picking up David’s phone instead.
On this phone, they stumble upon an unsettling video David recorded just before his death. It reveals that his apparent murder was, in fact, an accident; he had inadvertently sliced his throat while attempting to pop a champagne bottle with a ceremonial sword. The chaos, then, stemmed not from malice but from an insecure individual trying to impress his friends.
9
‘Drive-Away Dolls’ (2024)
The conclusion of Drive-Away Dolls might not seem wildly unconventional at first glance. After an unexpected road trip where they unwittingly seize a valuable briefcase, friends-turned-lovers Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Jamie (Margaret Qualley) decide to marry. It appears to be a classic happy ending. However, the briefcase conceals startling items: custom-made dildos cast from the privates of influential men who would do anything to hide their youthful escapades with the aptly named Tiffany Plastercaster (played by Miley Cyrus).
The Real-Life Tiffany Plastercaster
Under the direction of Ethan Coen, known for his eccentric storytelling, this Focus Features crime comedy was anticipated to push boundaries. The bizarre dildo reveal certainly accomplishes this aim. Notably, Tiffany Plastercaster is inspired by a real artist, Cynthia Dorothy Albritton, known for casting the penises of famous rock stars in the 1960s, claiming over 50 casts throughout her career. Furthermore, the powerful politician chasing after the briefcase is portrayed by Matt Damon.
8
‘Saltburn’ (2023)
Release Date: November 17, 2023
Runtime: 131 Minutes
Emerald Fennell, renowned for her unconventional storytelling as seen in Promising Young Woman, explores new depths in Saltburn. The story revolves around Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), a scholarship student at the University of Oxford who is captivated by the opulence of fellow student Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi). Initially, Oliver’s envy seems focused on Felix’s lifestyle, but it runs much deeper; he longs not just for Felix’s affection but for his very existence.
All the Money in the World
Events take a chilling turn when Felix dies unexpectedly at a party in his ancestral home, Saltburn. Following this, his sister Venetia (Alison Oliver) takes her own life shortly after his funeral. In a twist of fate, Oliver later encounters Felix and Venetia’s mother, Lady Elspeth (Rosamund Pike), forging a close relationship that leads her to name him in her will.
However, the shocking truth surfaces: Felix’s death was no accident. Oliver poisoned him during that party and manipulated Venetia after the tragedy to influence her own demise. His encounter with Lady Elspeth was a premeditated move, designed to secure her trust and eventual bequeathal of her wealth. The film concludes with Oliver dancing naked around Saltburn while “Murder on the Dancefloor” plays, leaving viewers grappling with whether it is controversial or darkly brilliant.
7
‘Malignant’ (2021)
Release Date: September 10, 2021
Runtime: 111 minutes
For those seeking an over-the-top horror experience, Malignant, directed by James Wan, delivers just that. The plot centers on Madison (Annabelle Wallis), whose disturbing visions of grisly murders are revealed as more than nightmares; they are actual events occurring in real time.
A Parasitic Twist
While Malignant is already an intense viewing experience, its twist ending takes it to another level. Madison discovers that her alarming visions stem from her connection to a parasitic twin brother, Gabriel, who had been trapped within her since childhood. As Madison begins to understand her link to these murders, the true horror unfolds—Gabriel has been the one committing the killings while using Madison’s body.
6
‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ (2022)
Everything Everywhere All At Once has emerged as a renowned cinematic piece, an innovative film that breaks conventional storytelling norms. Crafted by directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, and featuring Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Quan Wang, the film examines the life of a Chinese immigrant operating a laundromat in the U.S. who faces an IRS audit leading her to a multiverse crisis.
Talking Rocks and a Beautiful Universe
The film’s final thirty minutes are particularly mesmerizing. Through a technique dubbed “verse-jumping,” Evelyn taps into the memories of various universe counterparts, culminating in a climactic showdown with Jobu Tupaki, a version of her daughter, Joy (Stephanie Hsu). Jobu creates a catastrophic black hole called the “Everything Bagel,” thrusting Evelyn into a tumultuous experience. Amidst all the chaos, there’s a poignant exploration of family and love that persists through the absurdity.
5
‘The Menu’ (2022)
Release Date: November 18, 2022
Runtime: 106 minutes
Director: Mark Mylod
Writers: Seth Reiss, Will Tracy
In an unexpected twist, Margot’s request for a cheeseburger rekindles Slowik’s passion for cooking, earning her a chance at escape. As she ventures off the island, the dessert menu reveals the horrifying prospect of human s’mores. Interestingly, while the film thrives on surreal comedic elements, it lacks excessive violence, making its climactic explosion even more disorienting.
4
‘Poor Things’ (2023)
Release Date: September 8, 2023
Runtime: 141 Minutes
Director Yorgos Lanthimos has a knack for crafting unconventional narratives, as seen in Poor Things, adapted from Alasdair Gray’s novel. The film features Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe), a scientist who resurrects Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) by placing a fetus’s mind into a deceased woman’s body. This bizarre setup is just the beginning of Bella’s extraordinary journey of self-discovery.
Ending A Movie With the Brain of a Goat
As Bella learns about her past, she encounters challenges from her previous life, including her abusive husband, Alfie (Christopher Abbott). The ending is particularly outrageous, with Bella escaping from Alfie’s control and swapping his brain with that of a goat, granting her the freedom she craved while turning Alfie into an animal.
3
‘Tenet’ (2020)
Release Date: September 3, 2020
Runtime: 150 minutes
Christopher Nolan’s Tenet explores intricate storytelling reminiscent of his earlier works. The protagonist, known merely as “the Protagonist” (John David Washington), becomes embroiled in a covert organization grappling with time inversion through “inverted entropy.”
An Ending That Needs to Be Watched More Than Once
The Protagonist’s journey through time culminates in a complex revelation regarding his role in the organization. As he becomes aware that he is, in fact, the founder of Tenet, the narrative challenges viewers’ perceptions, often leading to multiple viewings to untangle its layers.
2
‘Titane’ (2021)
Release Date: October 1, 2021
Runtime: 108 minutes
Julia Ducournau’s Titane is a provocative exploration of body horror and identity. The film follows Alexia (Agathe Rousselle), who, after a childhood accident embedding a titanium plate in her skull, grows into a serial killer with a bizarre sexual fixation on vehicles.
A Visceral, Titanium Birth
The narrative escalates as Alexia discovers she is pregnant with a car’s offspring, leading to her adoption of the identity of a missing boy. In an astounding climax, upon giving birth to a hybrid child, the story concludes with a brutal twist showcasing the macabre bond between Alexia and her progeny.
1
‘The Substance’ (2024)
Release Date: September 20, 2024
Runtime: 140 Minutes
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Writers: Coralie Fargeat
In The Substance, director Coralie Fargeat presents a grim narrative rooted in body horror. The film revolves around Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a former star who undergoes a procedure to regain her youth, inadvertently giving rise to a young woman named Sue (Margaret Qualley). As they grapple for dominance over their shared existence, the clash spirals into chaos, culminating with a blood-soaked finale that explores the monstrous consequences of fame.
The Monstrous Side of Fame
The film deftly navigates themes of jealousy and ambition, leading to a tense climax where Sue’s attempt to replicate the serum ends disastrously. The result is an embodiment of both women that triggers a bloody and tumultuous resolution, providing a stark commentary on the perils of fame.
Source
movieweb.com