twistending

Twist ending is a narrative device in which the conclusion reveals information that reframes the preceding plot, characters, or setting in a new light. The twist often hinges on misdirection or hidden context, causing the audience to reinterpret events after the reveal. While common in mystery and thrillers, twist endings appear across film, literature, television, and games and may enable a thematic reorientation rather than a mere shock.

Techniques include misdirection to divert attention from the true outcome, red herrings to obscure relevant facts, and an unreliable narrator whose account is called into question. Other forms involve a sudden identity reveal, a character's altered memory or perception, or a change in the assumed reality (for example, a dream sequence or alternate universe). Effective twists usually balance surprise with plausible foreshadowing.

Impact and reception vary. A well-executed twist can deepen themes and invite rewatching or rereading, while a poorly handled one can feel manipulative or inconsistent with the story's established logic. Some works use twists to subvert genre conventions, while others lean on clichéd reversals, risking predictability if overused.

Examples commonly cited include The Sixth Sense (the line between reality and perception is blurred for a revealing ending), The Usual Suspects (the apparent culprit's identity is reframed at the finale), and Planet of the Apes (the final reveal recontextualizes the setting). Critics discuss twists in terms of foreshadowing, plausibility, and the degree to which the ending alters interpretation. See also plot twist, unreliable narrator, and red herring.