The Surprise Ending

The surprise ending in a movie can be a good thing. Audiences like surprises. Far too often, movies are too predictable, we applaud when a filmmaker succeeds in creating a genuine plot twist that upends what is expected.

But, bringing the surprise factor to a movie is not easy. Practically everything's been done before.

One movie that is known for its surprise ending is Planet of the Apes (1968). For the entire movie, Charlton Heston (and by default, the audience) thinks he's on some distant planet. But the surprise is in the final reveal: a deteriorating Statue of Liberty... (He was on Earth the whole time!)


Perhaps one of the problems that comes with the surprise ending is that eventually enough people talk about it that it's no longer a surprise. Take a look at the recent DVD cover for the movie (see image on right). It completely gives away the whole secret. The 1968 poster did not do this (image on left).

And it's not just audiences. In the case of The Planet of the Apes, its secret has become part of popular culture. Perhaps you can blame parodies like the episode of The Simpsons where they make a musical based on this movie.

In a case such as this, you can certainly argue that surprise isn't always ideal.

Any thoughts as to whether or not you think the surprise ending is worth it?