10 Horror Movies That Almost Had Way Better Endings

by Sam Hill

1. The Orphan Goes Back To The House & Acts Like Nothing Happened - Orphan

At the end of the rather terrifying horror flick Orphan, the killer - Esther/Leena, whichever you prefer - is kicked square in the face by Kate as she attempts to save her daughter. Esther/Leena takes a tumble into the depths of an icy lake and dies, her neck broken. It's a satisfying ending, that's for sure, but reading the alternative version you can't help but feel as though opting to use it might've had more of an impact on audiences than the otherwise generic finale that the movie ultimately sticks with.

That's to say, Orphan's alternate ending saw Kate rescuing Max, only for the orphan to return to the house and start calmly reapplying her make-up. The police arrive at this point, whilst Esther/Leena acts all sweet and innocent as though nothing has happened - the implication here being that Esther/Leena might well be able to talk her way out of the scenario, could possibly end up moving in with another family, or killed Kate and Max.

Which, you have to admit, is all really, really creepy. Definitely the better ending, this.

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Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.