10 Clever Ways Horror Movies Foreshadow the Ending

Although foreshadowing is an important tool in storytelling, it has to be implemented cautiously. After all, the last thing a movie should do is literally tell you what's going to happen. And yet, Ghostland got everyone good with its twist, even though it was shoved down our throats.

In this psychological drama, Pauline and her two daughters, Beth and Vera, move into a new house when they're suddenly attacked by two intruders. Pauline shoots the psychopaths dead, but not before one of them viciously abuses Vera.

The story suddenly cuts to 16 years later, with Beth now a successful writer. Unfortunately, Vera was so rattled by that earlier incident, she's convinced herself the invaders have imprisoned her for years. Despite Beth's best efforts to bring her sister back to reality, Vera insists they're still trapped in the house. As heartbreaking as it is to see Vera like this, it's worse for Beth. 

Over time, it's revealed that Beth is having the delusion, not Vera. It turns out the murderers slaughtered the girls' mother during the home invasion and have kept her daughters imprisoned ever since. Unable to deal with the situation, Beth convinced herself she escaped and became a beloved writer. 

Prior to the invasion, Beth mentions she dreams of being an author, so this is another hint that the scenes of Beth achieving her greatest desire is an elaborate fantasy. Though Vera repeatedly tells Beth (and the audience) what's going on, nobody listens to her, erroneously believing she's snapped.