20 Greatest TV Plot Twists of the 21st Century So Far

Eagle-eyed viewers will notice that the only resident of Springfield who doesn’t look away is little Maggie. This is just one of the bread crumbs the writers left for the most determined fans of The Simpsons to sniff out. Lost is a television series that premiered in 2004, following the survivors of a plane crash on a mysterious island.

Whether due to their influence and impact on the medium, the quality of their animation, or their incredible narrative arcs, the following shōnen anime are truly worthy of being called masterpieces. Some are works of art that have transcended time, consolidating themselves as incredible visual experiences that deserve their recognition. From the books to the execution of Ned Stark to Tywin Lannister’s letters to the musical selections moments beforehand, there were plenty of clues for the massacre on the horizon. In the forward of director Richard Kelly’s Donnie Darko Book, star Jake Gyllenhaal writes about how much he adores the 2001 cult classic—but he also admits to still not being totally sure what the movie’s about.

River Song Is Amy & Rory’s Daughter

Best Plot Twists in Recent TV History

As TV plot twists go, this moment will remain the one viewers least expected for the foreseeable future. Lost may be full of mind-bending plot twists, but there’s one that still stands netflix quiz apart from the rest, two decades on from when it first aired. As well as being a key character in Lost’s ending, Jack Shepherd’s story is arguably the one that matters most in the show’s initial seasons. The best TV shows can make us gasp with an unexpected twist, even as early as the first season.

The film is a slow burn, but the ending and twist make it a heartbreaking must-watch. While more recent Christie-inspired films such as See How They Run and A Haunting in Venice are surprisingly good, it’s hard to beat the original Murder on the Orient Express. Directed by Sidney Lumet, the film stars Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Sean Connery, Vanessa Redgrave, Michael York, Jacqueline Bisset and Anthony Perkins. The film stars Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Channing Tatum. Side Effects has an almost Hitchcockian feel that is is both familiar and exciting for fans of thrillers.

Walt lets Jane die on Breaking Bad

Rurouni Kenshin’s biggest charm is its layered characters that are full of contrasts, with a protagonist who carries the weight of his past and one of the best-written villains in anime. Despite the controversy surrounding Rurouni Kenshin’s creator, it’s a must-see classic anime that addresses themes of violence and corruption in a way that no other story has matched. Hajime no Ippo, just like Ashita no Joe, is not only about a competitive sport but also an inspirational journey driven by complex characters, showing the highs and lows of boxers, their dreams, and their weaknesses. Furthermore, Hajime no Ippo’s animation has stood the test of time and is still able to reach the new generation of anime fans. Despite focusing on comedy and appearing to have a nonsensical story, Gintama is filled with epic fights and dramatic moments, addressing political themes like the conflict between the shogunate.

The reveal is chilling because it turns a story of faith into one of fanaticism. It’s also thematically rich and clever, proving the horror genre can be thoughtful too. For a major part of Fringe, Peter Bishop is the genius who helps the Fringe Division in exploring the unknown and unraveling bizarre scientific anomalies.

The Red Wedding in Game of Thrones

Second of all, scroll with caution—by definition, this is basically a collection of the biggest spoilers in the history of pop culture. Third of all, if you disagree with anything in here, that’s just us, The Ringer, pulling off a great twist on you personally. The series received widespread acclaim and attention due to its complicated narrative, vast array of characters, gruesome violence, and unpredictability.

If it had not been the cinematic desert of midwinter, I would have seen something else. I am one of those annoying people with whom it’s impossible to watch shows like Severance – I’m obsessed with guessing what’ll happen next in TV shows and movies, and I will let my theories be known. Game of Thrones is the epic high fantasy series based on the A Song of Ice and Fire novels by George R. R. Martin.

The twist at the end of this sci-fi classic has been referenced hundreds of times throughout the years (including in its various remakes). However, the 1968 original, which follows a group of astronauts who awake on a dystopian planet where talking apes rule, is a must-watch. The crimes that occurred on Waystar Royco’s cruise ships and were subsequently covered up are the bomb that eventually drops on the Roy family in Season 2 of Succession.

In the very first episode of the tearjerking hit drama This Is Us, several seemingly disparate plot lines are revealed to be connected. This is only the first of the many twists for which the series has become known—and fiercely loved. In an attempt to separate the perfect TV ending of the 21st century and the greatest TV plot twist of the 21st century, we have Dark, a show about time travel, family secrets, and the unraveling of reality itself. Jonas’ journey in the series begins with the disappearance of Mikkel, but it quickly spirals into a mind-bending exploration of time loops and alternate realities. And by Season 3, we’re introduced to not just one, but two mirrored worlds – that of Jonah and Martha – and they’re both locked in a loop orchestrated by their older selves, Adam and Eva.

“Scrubs” ( )During the “My Screw Up” episode, Dr. Cox is visited by his friend Ben. The camera-toting guest mentions that he hasn’t seen a doctor since his cancer went into remission. After Dr. Cox overworks himself while tending to patients to make up for the one that was lost, he heads out of the hospital with Ben.

As they strive to endure extraordinary challenges, the island’s enigmatic nature unravels, revealing hidden secrets that affect the fate of the survivors. Just when you think the story is over—with a neat confession and a wrapped-up mystery—it unravels all over again. Knives Out reveals that the true killer has been right in front of us all along, and Marta’s goodness is her greatest weapon in taking them down. There are two 2006 films with a twist ending about the turn of the century magicians. While The Illusionist has a fun twist and is a good movie, The Prestige is better made.

Skeet Ulrich’s vengeance-seeking Billy and Matthew Lillard’s nihilistic bro Stu are a destructive dyad; they provide cover for each other while wreaking havoc. With that said, I have no delusions that I’ve actually figured out the Apple TV+ hit’s secrets. It’s simply too good a show for a mortal like me to predict; I’ve been pleasantly surprised by loads of its twists so far. The Twilight Zone is the classic sci-fi/fantasy/horror anthology series that surely needs no introduction. It’s not only received the meme treatment in the 21st Century, but it remains a shining example of quality television, which has received numerous revivals over the years.