20 Most Intense Movie Endings Of All Time
In a word, unforgettable.
Any movie can be made or completely ruined by its ending: get it right, and a new cinematic classic might be cemented, but get it wrong, and all that prior goodwill can be dashed in an instant.
These 20 movies, all popular and acclaimed as they are, wouldn't be quite so revered without the added push of their blisteringly intense finales.
These filmmakers and actors dared to go the extra mile, cranking everything up to 11 for an ending that grabbed the viewer, violently shook them, and dared to ask, "How do you like me now?"
From brutal bursts of violence to stunning plot twists, emotional revelations and horrific sights, these 20 films were unafraid to go to places other films just wouldn't dare, pushing the viewer's tolerance for unease, discomfort and adrenaline-pumping thrills.
The results speak for themselves and are no doubt deeply embedded in your brain forever more, whether you like it or not...
20. Saw (2004)
James Wan's ferocious, low-budget horror flick is best-remembered for its stunning twist ending, in which it's revealed that Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), the mastermind behind the horrific "games" featured throughout the film, was in the grotty bathroom with victims Adam (Leigh Whannell) and Dr. Gordon (Cary Elwes) all along.
Though the popularity of the jaw-dropping twist kick-started a franchise that has increasingly relied on ridiculous and arbitrary final reveals, the original rug-pull remains one of the most shocking finales in horror film history.
Charlie Clouser's unforgettable score and the pin-sharp editing help elevate an already bracing ending into the realms of classic status.