The word “anticlimactic” usually has a negative vibe. It suggests that a movie builds up a ton of excitement only to have a disappointing ending. It can be super frustrating to invest a couple of hours in a film, only for it to lose steam just when it should be reaching its peak.
But hey, rules are made to be broken, right? Some films manage to be anticlimactic in a way that is actually mind-blowing instead of infuriating. Instead of giving us what we expect, these movies take a sudden twist and offer us a fresh perspective on the story or leave us with a grand idea to ponder over later. They totally catch us off guard in the most amazing way. The following films all fall into this extraordinary category. If they had followed the ordinary route, they’d ironically be way less memorable than they actually are.
1. No Country for Old Men’ Doesn’t Give Us The Expected Showdown And Ends With An Existential Monologue
Joel and Ethan Coen’s No Country for Old Men tells the story of Anton Chigurh, a psychopath who is determined to retrieve a satchel full of money that was stumbled upon and taken by Llewelyn Moss, a Texas welder caught up in a drug deal gone wrong. Chigurh carries a bolt gun and is ready to use it on anyone who gets in his way. As he leaves a trail of dead bodies, Sheriff Ed Tom Bell is on a relentless pursuit to catch him.
In most movies, we expect a climactic showdown between the hero and the villain. No Country for Old Men breaks that expectation. Llewelyn’s death is not shown on screen, leaving us with a sense of uncertainty. The film concludes with Chigurh being injured by a car, but he still manages to escape with the money. Meanwhile, Sheriff Bell decides to give up the chase, realizing the fear that Chigurh’s violent nature instills in him. The final scene features Bell sharing two dreams with his wife, reflecting his realization that he is an old man who no longer belongs in a world filled with the unpredictable and brutal violence of modern criminals.
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ Breaks The Fourth Wall Right Before A Major Action Scene
Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a British comedy film that takes a wild and hilarious approach to the King Arthur tale. Graham Chapman portrays the legendary figure, leading his knights on a quest to find the Holy Grail. Throughout their journey, they encounter various perils such as a three-headed knight and a killer rabbit, each adding a new level of humor to the story.
The film concludes with Arthur and his colleague Bedevere, played by Terry Jones, finally reaching Castle Aarrgh, which had been occupied by the incredibly rude French soldiers they had encountered earlier. Determined to take over the castle, the men gather an army, and the situation is portrayed with utmost seriousness. However, just as they are about to embark on their mission, modern-day police suddenly arrive and arrest them.
In a brilliant moment that breaks the fourth wall, one of the police officers puts his hand over the camera lens, essentially bringing the film to an unexpected end. This finale perfectly aligns with Monty Python’s unique style of comedy. Instead of concluding the movie in a conventional manner, they opt for a completely unexpected and off-the-wall punchline.
3. Kill Bill Vol. 2′ Sets Up A Final Martial Arts Battle, But Ends With The Five-Point Exploding Heart Technique Instead
In Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill saga, Uma Thurman portrays the character of “the Bride”. On her wedding day, she endures a brutal attack by her former comrades, a group called the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. They not only murder her husband but also leave her for dead. Miraculously, she manages to survive. Filled with anger after spending years in a coma, she makes a solemn promise to take down each member of the DVAS and ultimately find their leader, Bill (played by David Carradine), to exact her revenge.
In Volume 1 of Kill Bill, the Bride confronts and eliminates Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox) and O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu). These encounters bring her closer to her ultimate target.
Volume 2 sees the Bride closing in on her main objective. She mercilessly eliminates Bill’s henchmen until she finally stands face-to-face with him. Rather than dispatching him with a sword like she did with her other adversaries, she cunningly engages him in conversation. Then, without warning, she employs the “Five-Point Exploding Heart Technique” – a simple yet instantly lethal fighting technique previously introduced in the story. This unexpected turn of events concludes the film with Bill’s swift demise. This approach works effectively as the audience is already aware of the technique’s horrifying nature, leaving no doubt that Bill is perishing in the most dreadful manner possible.
4. The Final Countdown’ Is A Naval Time Travel Movie That Travels To Just Before Pearl Harbor… And Then They All Return To Present Day Before Anything Happens
The Final Countdown, released in 1980, offers an irresistible high concept. Kirk Douglas takes on the role of Matthew Yelland, the Commanding Officer of the USS Nimitz. During a routine training mission in the Pacific Ocean, an unexpected storm engulfs the ship, leading it to be sucked into a mysterious vortex. When they finally emerge, Yelland and his crew find themselves transported back in time to December 6, 1941 – the day prior to the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor.
Given the premise, one would naturally expect an action-packed film where the crew of the Nimitz strives to prevent the historical catastrophe from occurring. However, The Final Countdown takes a different approach. It initially hints at the possibility of intervention, only to have the vortex reappear and transport the ship back to 1980 before any alterations can be made. Yet, a tantalizing twist lies within the plot. Two members of the crew, including Commander Dick Owens portrayed by James Farentino, are inadvertently left behind. The film concludes by revealing that Owens is secretly the mysterious defense contractor responsible for constructing the Nimitz. This revelation sparks curiosity among viewers, speculating on what clandestine events may have transpired to reshape history.
In essence, The Final Countdown leaves us pondering the potential unseen changes Owens might have orchestrated, adding an intriguing layer of mystery to the story.
5. Contact’ Has An Intense Build-Up To Humans Meeting Alien Life… And Then The Alien Takes On A Human Form And Delivers A Quick Message
Jodie Foster takes on the role of Dr. Ellie Arroway in the 1997 film Contact. Ellie is a scientist working with the SETI program, dedicated to searching for signs of intelligent life beyond Earth. One day, a radio transmission from a distant star catches Ellie’s attention, and she believes that she has finally found the evidence she has been seeking. The SETI program responds by sending messages back, establishing a channel of communication with this unknown entity.
As the story progresses, Ellie finds herself on the brink of making direct contact with extraterrestrial life. She enters a pod that takes her through a wormhole in space. However, instead of encountering a completely new and unfamiliar being, she finds herself on a beach that she had drawn as a child. Surprisingly, the alien takes the form of Ellie’s father and engages in a brief conversation with her before departing. While Contact may not offer the traditional meeting with an extraterrestrial, the choice to have the alien resemble Ellie’s father helps to resolve a storyline involving her childhood relationship with him. Director Robert Zemeckis delivers a finale that packs an emotional punch.
6. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ Is Packed With Action, But Ends With A Tender, Emotional Reunion Rather Than Hinting At A Future Adventure
Harrison Ford takes on his final role as the legendary adventurer in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The story revolves around his mission to locate the pieces of Archimedes’ Dial, a device invented by the mathematician himself. Joining him in the search is Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), a former Nazi seeking to use the dial’s powers to rewrite history in Germany’s favor. Indy’s goddaughter, Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), is also there to lend a hand, most of the time at least.
Unlike the previous Indiana Jones films, Dial of Destiny doesn’t leave room for another adventure in the future. The movie concludes with an action-packed climax, where our hero briefly travels back in time. However, instead of altering the past, the message is clear that they must avoid further intervention. Although Indy is tempted to remain in the ancient past, it is not meant to be.
Upon returning to 1969, Indy reunites with his estranged wife, Marion (Karen Allen). Their affection for each other is palpable, despite their past difficulties, and they reconcile. As the film comes to an end, it becomes evident that Indy is done with adventurous journeys. He is ready to embrace a life of tranquility and domestic bliss with the woman he loves. This serves as a beautiful conclusion for a beloved hero.
7. War of the Worlds’ Is Genuinely Apocolyptic… And Then The Aliens Suddenly Drop Dead
In Steven Spielberg’s 2005 version of War of the Worlds, aliens make their way to Earth, and Tom Cruise takes on the role of Ray Ferrier, a divorced dad from a working-class background. His main focus becomes keeping his children safe in the midst of the chaos. But being Tom Cruise, he naturally steps up to the forefront in the fight against the three-legged creatures. Joining forces with a survivalist named Ogilvy, played by Tim Robbins, they embark on a mission to find a way to eliminate the alien threat.
The first hour of War of the Worlds is nothing short of apocalyptic. The devastation is overwhelming as buildings crumble and people are vaporized. It appears as though Earth is on the brink of obliteration. Surprisingly, there isn’t a climactic battle against the aliens, despite what the movie’s title suggests. Instead, the aliens mysteriously drop dead. In the end, we learn through voiceover narration that they were killed by the microbes present on our planet. Essentially, they came here and succumbed to illness. This unconventional twist denies us the satisfaction of a typical “Tom Cruise saves the day” ending, but it also emphasizes the fascinating notion that our planet has the ability to defend itself. It will protect us just as we strive to protect it. This unique approach adds a refreshing touch to the conclusion of an alien invasion film.
8. Broken Flowers’ Leaves Viewers Wondering Whether The Main Character Actually Met His Son Or Not
In Jim Jarmusch’s film, Broken Flowers, the main character Don Johnston, played by Bill Murray, receives a mysterious letter from a former lover. The letter reveals that Don unknowingly fathered her child many years ago, and she wants to warn him in case the young man shows up at his doorstep. Naturally, Don is curious to find out who sent the letter, so he embarks on a road trip to reconnect with his exes, hoping for some answers or even a confession.
The movie doesn’t focus so much on the identity of the letter sender, but rather on what Don learns from his encounters with these women from his past. Towards the end, Don comes across a young man who could potentially be his son. Unfortunately, their meeting doesn’t go well, and the boy runs away. In the final shot, Don is left standing on the street, where he locks eyes with another young man driving a Volkswagen Beetle. This stranger is listening to the same music that Don had been playing in his car. The intentionally open-ended conclusion of the film creates a feeling that no definite answer could ever provide. In essence, Don will likely never discover the identity of the letter sender or his true son, but he does come to realize that he has missed out on a significant event in his life.
9. L’Avventura’ Is A Missing Person Movie Where You Never Find Out What Happened To The Missing Person
Michelangelo Antonioni’s classic Italian film, L’Avventura, follows a trio of lovers – Anna, Sandro, and their friend Claudia – as they embark on a boat excursion. However, their pleasant outing takes a dark turn when Anna mysteriously disappears. Determined to find her, Sandro and Claudia form a bond as they navigate the search for their missing friend.
Unlike traditional films driven by a strict plot, Antonioni’s L’Avventura places greater emphasis on creating a particular tone and atmosphere. While the characters do uncover some clues, the true fate of Anna remains unresolved. Instead, the movie delves into the complex relationship that develops between Claudia and Sandro, and the conflicting emotions Claudia experiences. It’s a captivating exploration of two individuals who have vanished in their own unique way, feeling disconnected from the world around them and seeking a deeper sense of purpose.
L’Avventura offers an alternative to conventional thrillers, opting to delve into the psychological and emotional depths of its characters. Through its thought-provoking narrative, the film examines the nature of human connection and the yearning for meaning in an increasingly mundane existence. Antonioni’s masterful direction immerses the audience in a gripping exploration of the human condition, leaving us pondering the complexities of love, loss, and the search for true fulfillment.
10. The Pledge’ Is A Serial Killer Procedural That Drives Toward A Confrontation That Never Happens
In the movie “The Pledge,” Jack Nicholson plays Jerry Black, a detective who decides to delay his retirement plans after the tragic discovery of the body of an 8-year-old girl. This heinous crime deeply disturbs Jerry, motivating him to unravel the mystery behind her murder and seek justice. Despite a suspect being apprehended, Jerry firmly believes in his innocence, intensifying his quest to find the true culprit.
During his investigation, Jerry uncovers that the killer is a disturbed man named Oliver. Oliver sees himself as a wizard and drives a black car. In a bid to catch Oliver, Jerry devises a sting operation involving the daughter of a woman he has grown close to. They arrange to meet, but tragically, Oliver dies in a car accident before the encounter takes place. Unaware of Oliver’s demise, Jerry spirals into a state of drunken despair, convinced that the killer is still at large.
“The Pledge” presents us with a protagonist whose life is ruined by his inability to solve the case, despite the fact that the actual wrongdoer faced his demise. The movie delves into the psychological aspects of Jerry’s character, exploring the impact of his obsession with closure rather than following the conventional narrative of a battle between good and evil.
