A film’s ending is often one of the most important parts of the movie. It’s the culmination and conclusion of everything that has occurred over the course of the film and wraps up the story in a satisfactory manner. Except, of course, sometimes it doesn’t! There are some movie endings that are confusing to say the least, and downright crazy on occasion too.
That’s not to say that a confusing ending isn’t a real treat – often it’s the best way of getting people talking about the movie, and generating debate. However, there are also those endings that frustrate and annoy, and these can sometimes dampen the movie experience. We’re going to look at some of the movies with the most confusing endings out there.
Mulholland Drive (2001)
It seems fitting that the master of cerebral weird, David Lynch, should claim a spot on this list. Mulholland Drive might be the great man’s masterpiece (though a claim could be made for Blue Velvet). But, if you’ve seen other Lynch movies before you will know that there’s going to be a lot to confound and befuddle you. It’s not so much that there are any big moments that befuddle, just a creeping sense of unease, and an ending that is weird and quirky. It’s not easy to follow this movie, but you should stick in there for the ride.
Primer (2004)
If you’ve never seen this micro-budget sci-fi indie flick, we heartily recommend you take it out. Written, directed, edited, produced by, and starring Shane Carruth, this movie was made on a budget of just $7,000. It tells the story of work colleagues who invent a time machine and use it to go back and bet on the stock market. The movie explains very little, and this works to its advantage, and even by the end you’ll want to go back and watch again to make sure you get your head around it.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
And now we have an entry from another master, Stanley Kubrick. 2001 is considered one of the greatest masterpieces in modern cinema, and rightly so! Telling the story of the entire of human history, 2001 is a complex and layered film, with captivating images, a stunning score, and important underlying messages. The mystery and complexity of this film mirror its subject matter, and it’s impossible to definitively work out exactly what Kubrick is trying to say – but we suspect that is largely the point!
Donnie Darko (2001)
If you’ve never seen this cult masterpiece now is the time to discover the movie that gave Jake Gyllenhaal his big break. Donnie Darko is literally a perfect movie in every single way and deals with the subject of time travel, fate, and teenage rebellion. It’s a stunning ride and twists its way into different arenas effortlessly. By the end, you’ll most likely be puzzled, but you’ll have had a great time, and you’ll want to start the movie all over again.
These are some of the movies out there with the most bonkers and confusing endings. They are all flicks that are well worth taking the time to enjoy, and that’s why you have to make sure you check them out. There are plenty of movies that have confusing endings, and you might need to watch them several times or discuss them with friends in order to get the hang of them.
