Sci-fi movies often have cerebral and unpredictable plots, so naturally they also have some of the most iconic and unforgettable twists of all time. A good sci-fi movie can change the way that audiences think by introducing fascinating new concepts. Well-timed twists ensure that they’re memorable, but also that they can have a deep impact on someone’s mind.
Sci-fi has always deployed creative twists, even in the earliest days of the genre before the medium of film was invented. Classic sci-fi shows likeThe Twilight Zoneshow that twists continued to be central to the genre’s allure as these new art forms developed, and sci-fi movies and TV shows still use groundbreaking twists in the 21st century.
Theoriginal stretch of thePlanet of the Apesfranchisenever recaptured the magic of the original movie, partly becauseits iconic twist was such a tough act to follow. One key reason why the prequel series has been so successful is that it fully unpacks the twist in as much detail as it deserves.
This has often been cited as one of the greatest twists in all of cinema.
AlthoughPlanet of the Apesinitially appears to take place on an alien planet, the ending reveals that George Taylor had actually been exploring Earth after his spacecraft crash-landed. This has often been cited as one of the greatest twists in all of cinema, even though it’s been spoiled over and over again.
Alex Garland’s atmospheric sci-fi dramaAnnihilationmakes some big changes to Jeff VanderMeer’s book, but it keeps the spirit of ambiguity and cosmic horror alive.Annihilationcan be hard to understand, asGarland plays tricks on his audiencewith a strange narrative and some even stranger sci-fi devices.
Annihilationis filled with unexpected twists and head-scratching moments, but perhaps the most powerful comes right at the end, as Lena discovers that her husband had been replaced by a doppelgänger created by the shimmer. It’s the kind of reveal that makes audiences want to go back and watch the entire movie all over again, to explore the meaning of the shimmer in further detail.
Blade Runner 2049faced the tough task of following a bona fide sci-fi classic decades after the fact, but Denis Villeneuve rose to the occasion, creating a worthy sequel that fits into the world of Ridley Scott’s original.The story ends with a stunning reveal that leaves audiences wanting more.
The reveal that Deckard and Rachael managed to have a child changes the entire complexion of bothBlade Runnermovies in a single moment, and it sets upBlade Runner 2099perfectly. Although there’s still a lot of mystery surrounding the TV series,Blade Runner 2049gives it a roadmap to expand on the idea of a replicant uprising.
Moonserves as proof that great sci-fi movies don’t necessarily need huge budgets for splashy effects and action sequences. Its taut script is just as compelling as any blockbuster, in its own way, with a twist that lingers in the mind. Rather than coming at the end,Moonfeatures a twist midway through that changes everything.
The reveal that both copies of Sam are clones of the original sets the story on a dark path, andthe corporate greed of Lunar Industries is slowly revealed. This twist transformsMoonfrom a psychological thriller into something even more disturbing, since there’s no ambiguity over the crushing bleakness of the reality that the two Sams are faced with.
Sci-fi fans often discussAlienas a classic of the genre, with an immersive horror atmosphere and some great worldbuilding. However, one thing that doesn’t always get the credit it deserves is the twist that Ash is actually an android working to advance the Weyland-Yutani Corporation’s agenda.
TheAlienfranchise has explored the idea of androids in further detail since the first movie, starting with Ripley’s skepticism on her mission in the first sequel,Aliens.This doesn’t detract from the power of that first twist, sinceit changes the outlook of the story in an instant.Alienisn’t a story about humanity struggling to control nature as much as it is about corporations willingly burning human lives in pursuit of profit.
Many ofChristopher Nolan’s best moviesrevolve around jaw-dropping twists, but the genius of his particular style is that his movies retain their rewatch value even when the audience knows what’s coming.Interstellaris a prime example of this, sincethe twist offers so much more than shock value.
It’s revealed that Cooper is the ghost from Murph’s childhood, sending coded messages through the tesseract. Ultimately, this twist closes the loop, since Murph’s childhood experiences eventually lead to the creation of the tesseract, which allows Cooper to send the messages. It’s yet another example of Nolan breaking down a mind-bending concept in an entertaining and visually stunning fashion.
The Prestigeis so densely packed with twiststhat it doesn’t even reveal itself to be a sci-fi movie for the bulk of its runtime. The reveal that Angier is cloning himself using a machine provided by Nikola Tesla is soon overshadowed by a few more shocking twists, like the one which shows what happens to Angier’s clones.
On the other side of the feud, the truth behind Borden’s “Transported Man” trick is just as surprising. Borden being two separate people changes the entire story, and his lines about his conflicted feelings and lost memories suddenly make sense.The closing monologue is Nolan’s way of teasing his audience after executing the perfect trick.
Arrivalis based on a short story by Ted Chiang, andEric Heisserer’s intelligent script translates the story’s central ideas to the big-screen perfectly.Even though Chiang’s writing focuses on the specifics of how language can shape the brain,Arrivalensures that these literary concepts are dynamic and entertaining on film.
Arrival’s shocking twistthat the flashbacks are actually Louise’s flash-forwards to the life she is yet to live makes her story even more tragic. Rather than simply living with her grief, she is living with the knowledge that she’s unable to stop the trauma coming her way. Regardless, she surrenders herself over to the experience.
Ex Machinafollows a programmer as he visits his company’s reclusive genius CEO. From the moment Caleb arrives at Nathan’s isolated home in the woods, it’s clear that not all is well, but the true extent of what’s going on is only revealed by a drip-feed.
There are a few twists along the road inEx Machina,most of which reveal more about Nathan’s true intentions with Caleb and his robots. The biggest twist is saved for last, however, as Ava traps Caleb to make her escape and live a life of freedom. It shows that Nathan was right about her manipulating Caleb, but even he couldn’t fathom her intelligence and survival instincts.
The secondStar Warsmovie delivers one of the most famous plot twists of all time, one that has been utterly spoiled in every conceivable way ever since. Still, the reveal that Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father is so seismic and thematically powerful that it deserves respect.
TheStar Warsfranchise has always been indebted to this one moment.
TheStar Warsfranchise has always been indebted to this one moment, ever since it happened. Of course, the prequel trilogy is largely devoted to Anakin Skywalker’s slow transition to the dark side, but even the sequel trilogy displays an obsession with family lineages. With a new raft ofupcomingStar Warsmovies, this theme will likely remain just as prevalent.
