A plot twist is a change in the direction or expected outcome of a story. Often, twists are revealed at the end of a movie or TV show, and can have a huge impact on audiences. One of the masters of this genre is The Sixth Sense and Split filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, who talks about his process for creating a good twist ending.
Love & Thunder
After a whirlwind adventure in Ragnarok, Thor and his dwarves are back on Asgard. But this time, they’re trying to keep Gorr, the God Butcher, from murdering all of the universe’s gods. The film also reunites Thor with old and new allies, including Korg and Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who wields Mjolnir as Mighty Thor.
Directed by Taika Waititi, Love and Thunder relies heavily on a specific run of Thor comics for its storyline and characters, though Marvel fans have rightly pointed out that the New Zealander isn’t necessarily being comic-accurate when it comes to the amount of dismemberment and bodily harm inflicted on aliens. The film is rated PG-13, so there are no f-bombs or full frontal nudity, but it’s a fun watch and features some heavy development in the MCU canon.
The Walking Dead
After a penultimate episode that saw Judith Grimes get shot by ruthless Commonwealth Governor Pamela Milton (Laila Robins), the ragged Survivors were gearing up for a big showdown on The Walking Dead’s series finale. And, sure enough, the hour didn’t disappoint.
The survivors must overcome their own personal obstacles and adapt to the changing world as they battle new threats including a mysterious cult, the Whisperers, whose members are infected with the pathogen that turns humans into zombies. They also face internal divisions as the group’s mindset shifts from one of compassion to one of hardened survivalism.
Among the new faces, Michael Mercer makes his debut as a tough-talking bounty hunter who infiltrates the CRM and kills Alpha. Michonne also returns as an even more ferocious warrior. She’s out to search for her husband Rick, whom we assume is still captured by the CRM or on the run.
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is set in the fictional world of Westeros, where a battle for power rages among the various houses and their families. It is interwoven with themes of honor, revenge and familial bonds. It also involves incest, angry gods and avaricious bankers.
The show is based on the A Song of Ice and Fire book series by George R.R. Martin. It was adapted by series creators David Benioff and D.B Weiss.
The series is notorious for its spoilers and leaks, which often nailed key plot points before they were revealed on the air. This includes the infamous Reddit post by user /u/throwaway5873421. It predicted that Daenerys would burn King’s Landing to the ground in episode five and nailed the Cleganebowl fight. It also predicted that The Mountain would behead Missandei in episode 6. Interestingly, this turned out to be accurate.
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale is a powerful story that highlights the deepest fears that sometimes feel too dark to be talked about. The show reveals that society treats women as vessels that are necessary but not worth basic human rights.
Last season, viewers were introduced to the Econowives, a group of low-ranking married women who are forced to become Handmaids. Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Written Update are grouped together based on their fertility and are forced to live a religious life that can end in death if they do not produce children within a certain time frame.
This season, viewers are set to see more of the Econowives, including their infamous leader, Moira. In addition, viewers will be treated to Lawrence’s plan for New Bethlehem which is meant to offer Gilead refugees a chance at a more liberal life with books and reading.
Orange Is the New Black
After seven seasons, multiple deaths, a lot of pudding cups and many a tearful goodbye to Litchfield, the show is finally ending. But what will happen to Piper, Alex, Nicky, Red, Norma, Yoga, and Taystee?
Taylor Schilling and Laura Prepon skyrocketed to fame thanks to the Netflix prison drama, based on Piper Kerman’s memoir. The series explores the school-to-prison pipeline and starred Schilling as PR exec Piper Chapman, who is sent to a women’s minimum security prison.
Throughout the final season, Daya gets caught up in the drug gang hierarchy and becomes a prison leader, while Aleida struggles to make ends meet. Plus, Pennsatucky dies in a heartbreaking scene and Crazy Eyes finds solace in her final words. Read on for more OITNB spoilers.
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, the second installment in FX’s acclaimed American Crime Story series, takes a more measured approach to its subject than the wildly popular O.J. Simpson episode. Nevertheless, the nine-episode series, based on Maureen Orth’s Vulgar Favors: Andrew Cunanan, Gianni Versace and the Largest Failed Manhunt in US History, packs just as many punches.
The season begins with the fashion designer’s murder and then works backward in time to trace Cunanan’s path. Penelope Cruz and Edgar Ramirez both deliver commanding performances as Versace and his sister, Donatella. Their characters are both deeply complicated, representing the difficulty of being a gay person in an era where HIV/AIDS was still stigmatized. In this sense, the series feels timely. However, the structure sometimes sags. It’s hard to tell whether the show is trying to be shocking or simply telling a compelling story.
The Good Wife
For seven seasons, The Good Wife kept the drama simmering just below the surface. This week’s series finale ended with a shot-by-shot recreation of the show’s pilot, and in that one moment, The Good Wife showed why it was one of the most rewarding pieces of TV in recent memory.
The Good Wife stars Emmy Award winner Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, a Cook County State’s Attorney who reenters the workforce after her husband’s sex and political corruption scandal lands him in jail. Despite public humiliation, Alicia forges ahead to pursue her original career as a defense attorney.
Unlike most procedurals, The Good Wife has a case-of-the-week format that allows it the leisure to dive deep into its characters’ psyches without being weighed down by histrionic developments or titillating sexual tension. This approach has allowed it to develop real, meaty drama.
The Big Bang Theory
When it comes to sitcoms, few are as beloved — or as long-running — as The Big Bang Theory. Its series finale on Thursday, titled “The End,” offered up a satisfying sendoff for the show’s lovable science-y characters.
The one-hour episode ended with Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Amy (Mayim Bialik) winning the Nobel Prize, which brought all of their friends to Sweden for the ceremony. But this wasn’t a fireworks finale, which would have felt like an overreach after 12 seasons of the CBS comedy.
Instead, it was a low-key, emotionally satisfying one that capped off Sheldon and Amy’s story while also illustrating their slow, steady growth as people. It even paid off several of the show’s running gags, including the apartment elevator that hadn’t worked for years. The Big Bang Theory will live on in syndication and streaming, with Young Sheldon continuing to champion the cause of nerdy scientists.
The Vampire Diaries
Vampires, werewolves and humans collide in The Vampire Diaries (TVD). While no TV series can fully replicate the books that inspired it, the CW hit has captivated its audience for over a decade. Its characters have touched hearts and shaped their lives, while its storylines often teach viewers important lessons about life and love.
The Vampire Diaries centers on Elena Gilbert, a selfless teenager who falls in love with centuries-old vampire Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley). Damon, his selfish older brother, also wants her attention, but she’s stuck between two heartthrobs.
This supernatural teen drama has a reputation for teen angst and dramatic tension. However, its characters—both human and mythical—develop more depth with each season. This year, fans can look forward to a whirlwind finale that should have you sobbing and cheering. It will likely include the return of beloved characters such as Alaric Saltzman and Enzo.
The Flash
Many DCEU fans were pleasantly surprised by The Flash’s unique multiverse storyline but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The film throws fan service at you with cameos from Jeremy Irons’ Alfred Pennyworth, Henry Cavill’s Superman and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman – but some felt it was too much. The movie also features several death scenes including Michael Keaton’s Batman killing his nemesis Zoom and General Zod (Michael Shannon) stabing young Barry Allen in the chest. Additionally, the film kills off a few characters from other realities including Antje Traue’s Faora and the Dark Flash.
Worlds collide when Young Barry Allen uses his powers to travel back in time and alter the events that led to his mother’s murder and create a new timeline for himself. But in doing so, he accidentally alters the future and traps himself in a reality where General Zod has returned and threatens total annihilation.