10 Horror Films Ruined by WTF Endings
These horror movie endings are memorable for all the wrong reasons...
It goes without saying that the ending of a story is crucial.
However, horror takes this notion to a whole other level. After all, the genre is synonymous with last-minute betrayals, unmaskings, and monster reveals. As a result, horror purists should be giddy with excitement during the third act, since they're expecting an elaborate death or epic twist that'll blow their socks off.
Although a slasher or creature feature can recover from a weak prologue or a slow second act, a sloppy or rushed climax can really sour the experience, even if it was top-notch up until that point.
However, there are certain epilogues that weren't just disappointing but ruined the entire viewing experience. Instead of delivering a fitting finisher, some features conclude with an underwhelming fight, a nonsensical twist, or a laughable special effect. Rather than tying up all the loose ends, there are plenty of infamous horrors that fail miserably to wrap up anything, making the story feel unfinished.
It's tough to devise an ending for a horror that leaves everybody satisfied, but the ten entries on this list didn't even try.
10. Leave The World Behind
In Leave the World Behind, Amanda, her husband Clay, and their children, Rose and Archie are on vacation when the country is hit by a multi-phase terrorist attack. Though Rose is more concerned about missing the series finale of Friends, the rest of her family are trying to deal with the collapse of society.
Like the novel it's based on, the film spends much of its time building up a sense of dread and uncertainty, with the ensemble speculating about the identity of their attackers. Although little is given away, there's a strong expectation of a major reveal or climactic confrontation before the credits roll.
Instead, the mystery thriller finishes with Rose discovering a luxury doomsday bunker, where she watching the final episode of Friends in peace. To the surprise and disappointment of many, the broader fate of the world and the source of the attacks remains unresolved.
Being the devil's advocate, the story doesn't have to spell out everything. Alex Garland's Civil War had a fulfilling conclusion despite being vague about the overarching conflict.
However, the resolution here is practically non-existent, to the point where the movie feels incomplete.