A good plot twist isn't the only element of a thriller movie that makes the genre so iconic, but the most outlandish twist endings often are what audiences best . Plot twists require foreshadowing, and when a story incorporates a narrative turn at the end of the story, it must make the audience question the truth of the rest of the movie. To achieve the drama and shock factor that a final act twist requires, it's no wonder that so many thrillers push the narrative to the absolute limit, exploring the extreme conclusions that leave the audience astounded.

Many of the best movie plot twists are in thrillers because the genre lends itself to unexpected events and creates tension and stakes by keeping the audience guessing. Many of these films touch upon questions of identity, destiny, and the nature of reality. Cinema is a great place to explore these philosophical discussions safely. Overwhelmingly, the actors in these projects give stand-out performances, as it rests upon their shoulders to make the viewer care about the characters and hypothesize about potential endings without giving the twist away.

10 The Prestige (2006)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

The biggest plot twists in Christopher Nolan's movies have cemented the director as a beloved contributor to the thriller genre. The Prestige plays with time and perception the same way that his other movies do, but it doesn't tackle true events as many of Nolan's recent projects have. However, the fictional narrative allows Nolan to play with the audience's expectations and make them believe the illusions at the heart of the plot.

The Prestige's twist is not only shocking but also calls all the actions and morality of the characters into question.

Though The Prestige isn't Nolan's most critically acclaimed film, it's one of his most unbelievable and pushes the audience to question their ability to distinguish the difference between fantasy and reality. The Prestige's twist is not only shocking but also calls all the actions and morality of the characters into question. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale make excellent foils as the competing magicians Robert and Alfred, creating explosive chemistry that makes the audience care all the more interested in the truth behind their tricks.

9 Vanilla Sky (2001)

Directed by Cameron Crowe

The tragic narrative of Vanilla Sky stars Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, and Penélope Cruz form a dangerous love triangle that ends in disaster. It becomes clear fairly quickly in Vanilla Sky that there's something wrong with David (Cruise) and the world he's perceiving. However, neither David nor the audience can determine what exactly is happening. As glitches start forming in the idyllic life he's built, it's clear that someone or something is altering his world, and the answer will mean the loss of everything he holds dear.

Though Vanilla Sky doesn't include one of Tom Cruise's movie villain roles, it's still a refreshing change to see Cruise tackling a complex dramatic role instead of in his typical action-oriented projects. However, there's still plenty of momentum in Vanilla Sky, as the propulsive narrative might grow confusing, but it's never boring. Despite the different realities David is experiencing, both he and the other actors are firmly rooted in the story arc and keep the audience dropped into the world.

8 Predestination (2015)

Directed by Michael Spierig & Peter Spierig

After the first plot twist in Predestination​​​​​, it seems that there can't be any more shocking reveals before the end of the story. However, this couldn't be further from the truth, as every piece of Predestination is meticulously planned and unfolds according to the same careful foreshadowing the characters experience. It's because of this that it feels as if there's no way to stop the events that unfold, as they were always meant to happen this way and always will. Much like its name, Predestination believes in destiny.

Sarah Snook s Ethan Hawke as the lead of Predestination, with each actor playing off each other and building their characters together.

Sarah Snook s Ethan Hawke as the lead of Predestination, with each actor playing off each other and building their characters together. Predestination is a classic example of a sci-fi thriller that audiences are still confused about, as time travel and the paradoxical nature of fate are at the forefront of the narrative. Though Predestination drops hints about the story's opinion, the narrative turn leaves it up to the audience to decide if they, too, will try and combat the inevitability of fate.

7 Now You See Me (2013)

Directed by Louis Leterrier

The beloved crime thriller franchise Now You See Me began in 2013 with the original movie that executes the story's formula perfectly. Though Now You See Me didn't receive the utmost praise from critics, it holds plenty of surprises and incorporates a twist that will compel every viewer. Made up of a fantastic ensemble cast, Now You See Me cleverly uses one of its most unassuming characters to pull the strings from behind the scenes, embodying the themes of misdirection that are so important to Now You See Me.

The true motivations behind the actions of the antagonists in the movie are convoluted and made murky until the final moments of Now You See Me. In an iconic flashback montage, Now You See Me does the one thing a good magician should never do: it reveals its secrets. However, this doesn't change the fact that Now You See Me is a fun thrill ride that seems to have an endless supply of secrets up its sleeve. As the magicians follow their orders and evade the international police, the cat-and-mouse game heats up at a lightning-fast pace.

6 Mr. Nobody (2009)

Directed by Jaco Van Dormael

Before the popularity of multiverse narratives took the film industry by storm, Mr. Nobody tackled the darkest parts of what lies on the path not taken. The protagonist of Mr. Nobody, Nemo (Jared Leto), reflects on the many avenues his life could've taken on his deathbed, letting the audience wonder what decisions he made in the past. Since each of his diverging futures holds some level of tragedy and loss, it's impossible to say what Nemo should've done, as Mr. Nobody demonstrates the fickle nature of human history.

It's difficult to understand the ending of Mr. Nobody, which takes the nonlinear structure of the narrative and pushes it to the extreme.

It's difficult to understand the ending of Mr. Nobody, which takes the nonlinear structure of the narrative and pushes it to the extreme. Though Nemo is plagued by the ramifications of his choices throughout Mr. Nobody, the film's conclusion posits that the infinite possibilities and chaos of the universe make these attempts at controlling the future futile. When it comes to thrillers, this is a rather bleak and layered philosophy for the narrative to take, but it simultaneously frees Nemo from the terror of choosing the wrong path.

5 The Cabin In The Woods (2011)

Directed by Drew Goddard

Poking fun at the horror and thriller genres, The Cabin in the Woods takes the familiar tropes of classic scary movies and the archetypal characters they include. Implementing sci-fi and plenty of comedic moments, The Cabin in the Woods allows its characters to become self-aware and question the horrible monsters and questionable circumstances that plague them. The truth behind why this group of friends is being targeted takes a broader look at why audiences like to consume horror and enjoy witnessing violence onscreen.

The fate of humanity and the protagonists remains a mystery at the end of The Cabin in the Woods, but both the viewer and audience are floored to discover who's been pulling the strings and why. Considered a worthy addition to each genre it touches upon, The Cabin in the Woods is a contemporary favorite and was influential in the increase of metatextual references in mainstream media. While the plot twist might not be plausible, it's funny and sharp, cementing the brilliant tone of the project.

4 I Care A Lot (2020)

Directed by J Blakeson

Rosamund Pike plays the morally repugnant Marla in I Care a Lot, a protagonist that the audience is not inclined to root for. Watching Marla scam the elderly and steal their assets allows the viewer to sit back and enjoy as many people come after her to disrupt her criminal enterprise. However, they're only disappointed when even the most self-righteous characters prove to be as selfish as Marla. For most of I Care a Lot, it seems Marla will get away with everything, and the audience will be left with an upsetting conclusion.

Though I Care a Lot isn't as well ed as some of Pike's other thrillers, it's still a worthy addition, thanks to her performance.

As much as the viewer might want to see Marla get what she deserves, this isn't exactly what the ending delivers. The twist brings back a small element of Marla's past and demonstrates that sometimes, it's the smallest, most insignificant threats that can do the most damage. Both Marla and the audience have almost forgotten about this single plot thread that remains open-ended and is what costs Marla everything. Though I Care a Lot isn't as well ed as some of Pike's other thrillers, it's still a worthy addition, thanks to her performance.

3 Sorry To Bother You (2018)

Directed by Boots Riley

The underrated sci-fi thriller Sorry to Bother You stars LaKeith Stanfield as Cash, a telemarketer who finds sudden success when he starts using his "white voice" on calls. However, this satirical premise that carefully deconstructs and critiques the issues of racism and prejudice in the U.S. is only the tip of the iceberg. It doesn't take long for Cash to get swept up in the larger forces at work behind the scenes at his job, which have to be seen to be believed.

Sorry to Bother You takes its themes of anti-capitalism and its comments on the limitless nature of corporate greed to the next level with its plot twist. The company Cash works for doesn't just want to suppress the union but has more sinister intentions for its workers that Cash quickly attempts to reveal to the public. Though it seems that Cash is winning the fight against them, Sorry to Bother You ends with a reminder that the fight is never over.

2 Moon (2009)

Directed by Duncan Jones

The complexities of identity and time are explored in Moon, the sci-fi thriller that features Sam Rockwell as a man working in isolation on the moon in the future. Though there are a few other characters in Moon, Rockwell spends most of the story interacting with himself. This is quite literal, as Moon grapples with the ethics of cloning and identity, as the protagonist, Sam, must work with himself to stop the cycle of servitude and violence he's undergoing.

It's thanks to Rockwell that the audience is intrigued by Sam's plans to fool the corporation that sent him to the moon and ultimately outwits them.

Rockwell's turn in Moon is a career-best, and the intricacies of the plot and unforgettable twist rely on his ability to deliver a compelling performance. It's thanks to Rockwell that the audience is intrigued by Sam's plans to fool the corporation that sent him to the moon and ultimately outwits them. Each part of the story in Moon lends itself to the lonely life that Sam leads and makes the audience long for the life on Earth he believes is waiting for him.

1 Under The Silver Lake (2018)

Directed by David Robert Mitchell

Though Andrew Garfield is well known for his starring role as Peter Park in The Amazing Spider-Man movies and his latest turn as the romantic lead in We Live In Time, he's also been in plenty of chilling thrillers. Under the Silver Lake is a polarizing but mesmerizing addition to the genre, helmed by the director, David Robert Mitchell, whose experience in horror with It Follows helped create the eerie atmosphere of Under the Silver Lake. Blending classic film noir and surrealist elements, Under the Silver Lake keeps the audience off balance.

For cinephiles or Los Angeles residents, Under the Silver Lake holds plenty of Easter eggs and references to the city's storied history with the film industry. As Garfield's character, Sam goes on an odyssey around LA looking for a young woman he crosses paths with, he's sucked deeper into increasingly bizarre and uncanny situations. The final moments of Under the Silver Lake bring the mysterious story full circle, with Sam surprisingly resigned to his inability to help others and the inevitability of his circumstances. The truth behind what lies under the eponymous reservoir is the biggest twist of the narrative.