"I am your father." When Darth Vader utters those words to Luke in Star Wars, it cements one of the most iconic plot twists in cinema history. Do you remember when you last watched a movie like that? One of the most entertaining plot twists in more recent cinema was Saltburn, when Oliver is revealed to have orchestrated the deaths of the Catton family in order to claim their wealth. The best films don't just surprise us – they trigger a rush of endorphins, forcing us to reframe everything we've just watched in a matter of seconds.
And if you're anything like me and love a film with a genuinely jaw-dropping twist, then I have some recommendations. Below, discover our curated list of movies that will leave you saying, "I did not see that coming."
The Prestige
I have to say, it's tricky trying to describe these films without giving away the plot twists, So bear with me. The Prestige is a Christopher Nolan film, so you already know it will be great. Starring David Bowie, Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale, the story follows two 19th century magicians based in London with a lifelong bitter rivalry, that ultimately spirals into obsession and destruction.
The Sixth Sense
A horror and a mystery, this is a classic story that follows Cole Sear, a child that is gifted with the ability to communicate with the dead. Consulting with an equally disturbed psychologist, Dr. Malcom Crowe is there to help him with his ability to try and control it.
Shutter Island
A Martin Scorsese film starring Leonardo Di'Caprio in one of his best performances. Shutter Island follows Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule, two marshals from America who are sent to an asylum, Shutter Island, in order to investigate the disappearance of a patient. The twist in this is one of my favourites.
Oldboy
A Korean thriller by Park Chan-Wook, you already know this one will also be good before knowing its premise. It follows a man who has been held captive for seemingly no reason, but then is given a phone, money and clothes, and more importantly his freedom. All in the midst of trying to find his captor.
Blink Twice
Zoe Kravitz's directorial debut – this film was originally titled Pussy Island, which we love. The story follows a tech billionaire Slater King, played by Channing Tatum, who meets a waitress, Frida. After inviting her and her friends to join him for a dream vacation on his island, the wild nights and days all blend into one. But strange things start to happen...
Parasite
Academy Award winning film by Bong Joon Ho, Parasite has been one of the most critically acclaimed films in todays society. It follows the struggling Kim family who see an opportunity when their son starts working for the wealthy Park family. If you haven't seen it, I really can't explain more, it's definitely one of the top must watches.
Fight Club
This is David Fincher film, so you know it will be weird and wacky, with a plot twist. The story follows a nameless figure who is unhappy with his life, and also has insomnia. He forms an underground fight club with Tyler, a reckless soap salesman. Their ventures into their fight club spiral into something sinister.
Enemy
A Denis Villenueve film, it's one of those 'not much really happens' films, yet it's filled so many emotions. The story follows Adam, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, a college professor that spots an actor in a movie that looks exactly like him. After tracking down his doppelganger, he starts living his life secretly. But that isn't even the plot twist...
Donnie Darko
Another Jake Gyllenhaal film, Donnie Darko follows the story of an awkward teenager that befriends Frank, a figure in a bunny costume only he can see. He tells Donnie that the world is going to end within a specific time frame...
Saltburn
A film by Emerald Fennell, Saltburn follows Oliver Quick who comes from an unfortunate family. But life starts to turn around for him when he meets Felix at Oxford, who invites him to stay at his family's estate over the summer break. But what comes next is a series of unfortunate events...
