10 Lame Movie Twists That Ruined Great Endings

1. Double Fake-Out - The Dark Knight Rises

Savages Ending
Warner Bros

The Dark Knight Rises was a disappointing conclusion to a trilogy containing two of the best Batman films ever made. However, it was impressive in another way. It didn't only have a lame, last minute reveal that ruined what should have been a perfectly good ending, it had two.

The first came in the climactic battle between Batman, aided by a legion of Gotham police officers, and Bane's troops. As Batman takes the fight to Bane, getting the upper hand and demanding to know where a detonation trigger to a nuclear bomb is located, his romantic partner, Miranda Tate, stabs him the back and reveals that she is in fact Talia al Ghul. And she wasn't in league with Bane, he was in league with her. This effectively ruined an intimidating physical threat to Batman's mission by turning him into a lovesick puppy vying for affection.

But after that climax-killer, the movie starts to build itself back up again. Batman sacrifices himself to save Gotham from the bomb, all of his most trusted associates mourn him in their own way at a small funeral, Wayne Mansion is re-purposed into an orphanage, and the Batman legacy is picked up by a potential Robin. But one final scene of the film shows that not only did Batman survive his sacrifice, but he is alive and well in Europe living it up with Catwoman, completely undermining all meaning from what should have been the most defining moment of his superhero career.

Contributor

A writer, blogger, comedian, and actor in New York City, Mason relishes any opportunity to discuss his favorite topics. He has many strong opinions on all facets of media and pop culture.