Unexpected Ending Movies

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker wrongfully convicted of murder, who is sent to the Shawshank State Prison. Despite his harsh surroundings, Andy becomes friends with Red, an experienced prisoner, and finds ways to survive and even thrive in the prison. With the help of his friends, he is eventually able to plan a daring escape from Shawshank, and finds a new life of freedom on the outside. Along the way, Andy's resilience, strength of character and unwavering hope inspire those around him, helping to restore their faith in justice.

From David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Meat Loaf, Zach Grenier
Rated R

Fight Club is a 1999 American film based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. Directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter, the film tells the story of an unnamed protagonist (Norton) who is discontented with his white-collar job. He forms a "fight club" with soap maker Tyler Durden (Pitt) and they are joined by men who also want to fight recreationally. The narrator becomes embroiled in a relationship with Durden and a dissolute woman, Marla Singer (Bonham Carter). The fight club's activities escalate to the point where they engage in vandalism, assaults, and even murder. The fight club's worldview and nihilistic perspective, which is explored through the themes of consumerism, masculinity, and anti-establishment, brings the narrator to the realization that he must relinquish his desires and willing accept death. In the end, the narrator and Tyler set in motion a series of events that will bring down the skyscrapers of corporate America. Fight Club is a thought-provoking film that explores the idea of modern life being empty and meaningless.

From Bryan Singer, starring Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin
Rated R

The Usual Suspects is a 1995 American neo-noir mystery thriller film directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie. The plot follows the interrogation of a small-time thief, Roger "Verbal" Kint, who is one of only two survivors of a massacre and fire on a ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles. He tells an interrogator an intricate and convoluted story about events leading up to the massacre and suspicions surrounding a mysterious criminal mastermind named Keyser Söze. The film stars Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, Kevin Pollak, Chazz Palminteri, Pete Postlethwaite, and Kevin Spacey who, in his breakout role, plays the mysterious figure. The Usual Suspects received critical acclaim and won Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay (McQuarrie) and Best Supporting Actor (Spacey).

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin
Rated R

Psycho is a classic 1960 horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It follows Marion Crane, a secretary who steals $40,000 from her employer and flees to the Bates Motel. In her desperation, she has unwittingly chosen a place of terror, run by the mentally unstable Norman Bates and his overbearing mother. Marion soon finds herself in a terrifying fight for her life, as Norman and his mother's twisted secrets are revealed. The film is widely considered to be one of Hitchcock's greatest films and is said to have revolutionized the genre of horror films.

From Bong Joon Ho, starring Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-sik
Rated R

Parasite is a 2019 South Korean black comedy-drama film directed by Bong Joon-ho and starring Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Wooshik, Park So-dam, and Lee Jung-eun. It tells the story of the Kim family, a poor family living in a semi-basement apartment in Seoul, who find a way to infiltrate the wealthy and well-connected Parks family. As the Kim family begins to infiltrate the Parks' home, they soon find out that they are not the only ones with a hidden agenda. The film follows the Kim family's struggles with extreme class discrimination and the hypocrisy of the wealthy. It explores themes of social stratification, family, and prejudice as well as examining the complexities of the relationships between the two families. Parasite won numerous accolades including the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first South Korean film to do so, and four Academy Awards, becoming the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture.

From Park Chan-wook, starring Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jeong, Kim Byeong-Ok
Rated R

Oldboy is a South Korean psychological thriller directed by Park Chan-wook. The film follows Oh Dae-su, an ordinary Seoul businessman who is inexplicably kidnapped and held captive for 15 years in a private prison. After his release, Dae-su embarks on a quest for revenge against his captor and the truth about his imprisonment. Along the way, he discovers shocking truths about his past and himself that leads him to a violent, thrilling climax.

From M. Night Shyamalan, starring Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams
Rated PG-13

The Sixth Sense is a 1999 supernatural psychological thriller film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The film follows the story of a troubled child psychologist, Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis), and a mysterious young boy, Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), who is able to see and talk to the dead. As Dr. Crowe tries to uncover the truth behind Cole’s ability, he discovers something far more frightening—that Cole’s “sixth sense” may be connected to a more sinister force. The film received critical acclaim and earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley
Rated R

Shutter Island is an American psychological thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The story follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) and his partner Chuck Aule as they investigate a mental institution on Shutter Island located in Boston Harbor which seems to be concealing a dark secret. As Daniels and Aule begin their investigation, they encounter a series of strange and mysterious events that cause them to question their own sanity. Eventually the two uncover a web of conspiracy involving the hospital's sinister past and the true nature of its inhabitants. With time running out, Teddy must race against the clock to uncover the truth or risk being trapped on the island forever.

From Juan José Campanella, starring Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago, Carla Quevedo
Rated R

The Secret in Their Eyes is a 2009 Argentine crime-drama film directed by Juan José Campanella. The film follows a retired criminal court investigator, Benjamín Espósito (Ricardo Darín) as he revisits a decades-old unsolved murder case. The story is told in flashbacks as Espósito reflects on the case and his past relationship with the victim's beautiful widow, Irene Menéndez-Hastings (Soledad Villamil). His search for answers leads him to unexpected places, and he must confront his own demons in order to uncover the truth. The film highlights themes of justice, revenge, and love, and ultimately shows that truth and justice can be elusive.

From David Fincher, starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry
Rated R

Gone Girl is a 2014 American psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher and adapted from the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn. The film stars Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne and Rosamund Pike as Amy Dunne. The film follows Nick's search for his wife Amy, who has gone missing. As the police investigate, Nick finds himself under increasing suspicion and scrutiny, while the media and public opinion forms a narrative of his involvement in her disappearance. Through a series of flashbacks and voiceovers, it is revealed that Nick and Amy had a troubled marriage, and that Amy has been kidnapped by a mysterious man. Nick must find her and prove his innocence in order to save his marriage and himself.

From Park Chan-wook, starring Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong, Moon So-ri
Rated Not Rated

The Handmaiden is a 2016 thriller directed by Park Chan-wook, set in 1930s Korea during the Japanese occupation. It tells the story of a young Korean pickpocket named Sook-hee, who is hired by a conman posing as a Japanese Count to serve as the handmaiden to Lady Hideko – a Japanese heiress living with her domineering Uncle – in an elaborate scheme to swindle her out of her inheritance. However, Sook-hee soon finds herself sympathetic to Lady Hideko, and the two bond together as they attempt to escape the schemes of the conman and her Uncle. The Handmaiden is a suspenseful and twisty exploration of love and loyalty, class differences, and independence.

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder
Rated R

Black Swan is a psychological thriller directed by Darren Aronofsky. The film follows professional ballerina Nina Sayer (Natalie Portman) as she struggles to perfect a challenging ballet performance for a production of Swan Lake. As Nina strives to become the perfect swan, a duality between her light and dark sides emerges, pushing her to the brink of madness. As her obsession with her role intensifies, she begins to lose her grip on reality and blur the boundaries between fantasy and reality. Her increasingly extreme behavior leads to devastating consequences in all areas of her life, including her professional and personal relationships.

From David Lynch, starring Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Jeanne Bates
Rated R

Mulholland Drive is a surreal mystery drama directed by David Lynch. The film follows the story of an aspiring actress, Betty Elms, who arrives in Los Angeles and finds an amnesiac woman, Rita, whom she helps in her search for her true identity. As their search deepens, they come across many strange and disturbing secrets buried within the city's dreamlike landscape. At the same time, a failed movie director and an industry mogul become embroiled in an ever-deepening conspiracy. The film's compelling narrative and surreal visuals create an atmosphere of unease and mystery, ultimately making Mulholland Drive one of the most acclaimed films of the 21st century.

From Ang Lee, starring Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussain, Tabu
Rated PG

Life of Pi is a 2012 American adventure drama film based on Yann Martel's 2001 novel of the same name. Directed by Ang Lee, the film tells the story of Piscine Molitor "Pi" Patel, an Indian boy from Pondicherry who survives 227 days after a shipwreck while stranded on a boat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Along the way, Pi faces many ordeals, including a battle with a giant whale, a relentless pursuit by a dangerous Bengal tiger, and his own personal journey of faith and self-discovery. Ultimately, Pi must come to terms with the reality of his situation, and the film ends with a reflection on the power of faith and the meaning of life.

From Ang Lee, starring Sihung Lung, Kuei-Mei Yang, Yu-Wen Wang, Chien-Lien Wu
Rated Not Rated

Eat Drink Man Woman is a 1994 Taiwanese romantic comedy-drama directed by Ang Lee. The film follows a retired chef, Mr. Chu, and his three grown daughters as they face the harsh realities of life in contemporary Taipei. Mr. Chu is a masterful chef who has only one ambition—to create a delicious Sunday dinner every week for his daughters. The story follows the daughters as they deal with the ups and downs of life, love, and family, while Mr. Chu tries to come to terms with his own changing place in the world. Through vibrant food scenes and the interactions of this warm and loving family, the film explores themes of tradition, love, and family struggles.

From Bong Joon Ho, starring Hye-ja Kim, Won Bin, Jin Goo, Je-mun Yun
Rated R

Mother is a 2009 South Korean crime drama directed by Bong Joon Ho. The film follows Hye-ja (Kim Hye-ja), a single mother living in a small town, as she frantically searches for the truth behind her son Jong-du's (Won Bin) arrest for murder. While Jong-du insists that he is innocent, Hye-ja is determined to prove his innocence and fights against the police and local authorities to uncover the truth. As she digs deeper, Hye-ja discovers a web of secrets and lies that lead her to an unexpected source who could be the key to unlocking her son's fate. Mother is an emotionally charged and suspenseful crime drama that explores the power of a mother's love and her determination to do anything to protect her son.

From Giuseppe Tornatore, starring Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Sylvia Hoeks, Donald Sutherland
Rated R

The Best Offer is a 2013 Italian romantic mystery film written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. It stars Geoffrey Rush as an eccentric and reclusive auctioneer, Virgil Oldman, who specializes in fine art. He is approached by a mysterious woman named Claire Ibbetson, played by Sylvia Hoeks, who wants him to evaluate and auction a collection of antiques and art owned by her wealthy elderly uncle, the mysterious reclusive Billy Whistler, played by Donald Sutherland. As Virgil begins to investigate the collection, strange things happen and he soon finds himself embroiled in a dark case of deception and betrayal. With the help of his assistant, Robert, played by Jim Sturgess, Virgil must unravel the secrets of the Whistler collection before he can find the best offer. Along the way, he also discovers the true nature of his relationship with Claire and the meaning of his own life.

From Gregory Hoblit, starring Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney
Rated R

Primal Fear is a psychological thriller film directed by Gregory Hoblit and starring Richard Gere and Edward Norton. The plot follows an altar boy, Aaron Stampler (Norton), who is accused of the brutal murder of an influential Catholic archbishop. Richard Gere stars as Martin Vail, a slick Chicago defense attorney who takes on the case, which quickly becomes the subject of intense media scrutiny. As the trial progresses, Vail comes to believe that Stampler is not guilty and begins to uncover a complex conspiracy. The film follows Vail as he uncovers shocking secrets and attempts to prove Stampler's innocence and uncover the truth behind the murder.

From Brad Anderson, starring Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, John Sharian
Rated R

The Machinist is a psychological thriller directed by Brad Anderson and starring Christian Bale. The movie follows Trevor Reznik, a machinist struggling with insomnia and mental illness. After a year of sleeplessness, Reznik's mental and physical health have deteriorated. He suffers from hallucinations, paranoia, and memory loss. He also begins to suspect that his co-workers at the factory are conspiring against him. As the story unfolds, Reznik discovers the truth about himself and confronts his inner demons. In the end, he is able to come to terms with his past and ultimately find peace.

From Paul McGuigan, starring Josh Hartnett, Ben Kingsley, Morgan Freeman, Lucy Liu
Rated R

Lucky Number Slevin is a 2006 neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Paul McGuigan. The story follows Slevin Kelevra (Josh Hartnett), an unlucky young man who finds himself in the middle of a crossfire between two rival crime lords: The Rabbi (Ben Kingsley) and The Boss (Morgan Freeman). A case of mistaken identity leads to Slevin being framed for a murder he didn't commit and he soon discovers that The Rabbi and The Boss want him to settle an old debt. With help from an enigmatic young woman (Lucy Liu), Slevin must fight his way out of a dangerous game of revenge and deception in order to save his own life.

From Alejandro Amenábar, starring Nicole Kidman, Christopher Eccleston, Fionnula Flanagan, Alakina Mann
Rated PG-13

The Others is a psychological horror film directed by Alejandro Amenábar and starring Nicole Kidman as Grace, a devoutly religious woman who lives in post-World War II England with her two small children, Anne and Nicholas. After Anne and Nicholas start to experience supernatural occurrences, Grace hires three servants to help out. As the days go by, Grace begins to suspect that her new servants are not who they seem, and that the house may in fact be haunted by the souls of soldiers from the war. In the end, the truth is revealed, and Grace must confront the reality of her supposedly haunted house.

From Mary Harron, starring Christian Bale, Justin Theroux, Josh Lucas, Bill Sage
Rated R

American Psycho is a 2000 psychological thriller directed by Mary Harron, based on the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis. It stars Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a wealthy, yuppie investment banker living an affluent lifestyle in New York City, who indulges in sadistic and psychopathic behavior in his spare time. His violent fantasies come to life as he embarks on a killing spree of his colleagues and those who cross him, while attempting to hide his criminal activities from those around him. The film also stars Reese Witherspoon, Samantha Mathis, Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, and Chloë Sevigny.

From Guillaume Canet, starring François Cluzet, Marie-Josée Croze, André Dussollier, Kristin Scott Thomas
Rated Not Rated

Tell No One is an edge-of-your-seat French thriller that follows the story of Alex Beck (François Cluzet), a pediatrician who is desperate to find his wife Margot (Marie-Josée Croze), who disappeared eight years earlier. After receiving an email with a strange coded message, Alex begins to suspect that Margot is still alive and attempts to uncover the truth. As he digs deeper, he finds himself framed for her murder and embroiled in a complex conspiracy that involves powerful and dangerous people. With the help of his friend and lawyer Elizabeth (Kristin Scott Thomas), Alex attempts to clear his name and find his missing wife before his pursuers catch up to him.

From Alan Parker, starring Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet, Laura Linney, Cleo King
Rated R

The Life of David Gale is a 2003 drama directed by Alan Parker, starring Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet, and Laura Linney. The film follows the story of David Gale, an activist and former professor who has been sentenced to death for the murder of a colleague. As he awaits his execution, journalist Bitsey Bloom is sent to investigate the story. Through interviews with David, Bitsey discovers that the case against him is more complicated than it seems, and that his conviction may be part of a larger conspiracy related to capital punishment. As Bitsey and her team uncover the truth, they must also race against time to save David before his execution. In the end, the truth is revealed and justice is served.

From Morten Tyldum, starring Aksel Hennie, Synnøve Macody Lund, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Julie R. Ølgaard
Rated R

Headhunters is a 2011 Norwegian action thriller directed by Morten Tyldum and based on the novel of the same name by Jo Nesbø. The film follows Roger Brown, a successful headhunter and art thief, who finds himself in a desperate situation when a corporate espionage job goes wrong. With the help of his wife, Diana, Roger must stay one step ahead of his former employers and the police in order to save himself and his family. With intense action sequences, suspenseful plot twists, and a thrilling climax, Headhunters is a must-see for fans of the genre.