Deception in movies is an essential tool to stir up excitement and thrill. It revolves around the introduction of seemingly trustworthy characters, only to later expose their true treachery. This clever twist in the plot never fails to elicit a range of strong emotions from the audience, such as surprise, fear, and even sorrow. The magnitude of the deception’s impact is directly linked to its unforeseen nature and the profound consequences it brings.
Now, brace yourself for a wild ride as we uncover some mind-blowing plot twists that fall into these gripping categories.
1. In ‘The Godfather Part II,’ Michael Corleone’s Traitor Is His Own Brother
In The Godfather Part II, the new Mafia boss Michael Corleone faces an attack on his home while his wife sleeps and his children innocently play with their toys. Miraculously, he survives the assassination attempt and starts suspecting his business partner Hyman Roth’s involvement, aided by a treacherous family member.
Much later, while enjoying a party in Cuba alongside his brother Fredo, Roth, and Roth’s right-hand man Johnny Ola, Michael finally confirms the existence of the conspiracy. In a rather unfortunate turn of events, Fredo carelessly blurts out, “Johnny Ola told me about this place,” catching Michael’s attention. Covered in confetti from the New Year’s celebration, Michael embraces Fredo and reveals that he is aware of the truth. He subsequently orders hits on Roth and Ola but decides to spare Fredo while their mother, Carmela, is still alive.
However, their mother’s passing changes everything, and Michael ultimately arranges for Fredo’s demise on a fishing boat near his compound. Although we are aware that Fredo exchanged information with Roth and Ola in exchange for compensation, the film never discloses the extent of Fredo’s knowledge or the true depth of his betrayal.
In a poignant flashback to 1941, we witness Fredo as the sole family member who supported Michael’s decision to join the US Marines. The movie concludes with the present-day Michael, entangled in the world of organized crime, gazing out over the lake that now holds his brother’s lifeless body.
Actors: Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, John Cazale
Released: 1974
Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
2. Robert The Bruce Was Secretly Fighting Against His Closest Ally In ‘Braveheart’
In the epic tale of Braveheart, we witness the bond between William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, as they unite against the oppressive English rule in Scotland. However, a shocking truth unfolds when it is revealed that Robert’s own father is in league with the English, plotting to crown his son as the king of Scotland.
Wallace valiantly defends his homeland against yet another English invasion, but his efforts are thwarted when his fellow noblemen are tempted by bribes and betray him by withdrawing from the battle. In a moment of desperation, Wallace confronts Robert, holding a knife to his throat and forcefully removing his helmet, only to discover that Robert has been fighting alongside the English. This revelation is almost unbearable for Wallace, who had placed his trust in his ally.
Robert, consumed by remorse, seeks to make amends and arranges a meeting with Wallace. However, his father seizes this opportunity to betray Wallace, ensuring his capture and delivery to the English authorities. As history records, Wallace endures unimaginable torture before facing his execution.
Despite the tragic loss of their revered leader, Robert assumes the mantle of Scotland’s king. Instead of succumbing to English domination, he rallies his army and leads them into battle at Bannockburn. A resounding chant of Wallace’s name echoes through the Scottish ranks as they fight fiercely, ultimately securing Scotland’s hard-fought freedom.
Actors: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack, Brendan Gleeson
Released: 1995
Directed by: Mel Gibson
3. Lando Calrissian Helps Orchestrate An Ambush In ‘The Empire Strikes Back’
After successfully evading the Imperial fleet in The Empire Strikes Back, our beloved heroes Han Solo, Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO seek solace in the seemingly serene Cloud City, under the governance of Han’s dear friend, Lando Calrissian. It’s a heartwarming reunion that takes an unexpected turn when Darth Vader cunningly lies in wait.
In a remorseful manner, Lando expresses his apologies to Han, revealing that Vader had arrived earlier and coerced him into surrendering the city in exchange for sparing its inhabitants. Feeling trapped, Lando had no choice but to comply, fearing the wrath of the menacing Vader. However, in a twist of fate, Lando ultimately proves his loyalty by aiding our brave crew in their daring escape and eventually aligns himself with the Rebel Alliance.
Actors: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels
Released: 1980
Directed by: Irvin Kershner
4. Carter Burke’s Mission In ‘Aliens’ Was An Evil Plot All Along
Virtually all the events leading up to and during the Aliens movie are driven by an underlying motive. In the midst of her daring mission to save colonists from deadly aliens, Ellen Ripley makes a shocking discovery. It turns out that the person behind the mission, Carter Burke, had intentionally sent the colonists to their doom in order to profit from the alien eggs.
But that’s not even the worst part. Ripley later wakes up in a locked room with a young survivor and two facehuggers that Burke had purposely released. His plan was to impregnate the females with alien embryos, making it easier to smuggle them onto Earth. Fortunately, the girls are rescued, and Burke meets his demise at the hands of one of the very creatures he desired.
Out of all the betrayals witnessed in this story, this one is particularly hard to forgive.
Actors: Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen
Released: 1986
Directed by: James Cameron
5. Quintus Sides With Commodus Over Maximus In ‘Gladiator’
In the epic film Gladiator, the story revolves around the Roman general Maximus, who is unexpectedly chosen by Marcus Aurelius to be his successor as emperor. Unfortunately, Marcus’s son, Commodus, learns of this plan and commits the unforgivable act of murdering his own father. As a result, Commodus seizes the throne and demands Maximus’s loyalty, but the brave general refuses to submit to such a tyrant.
However, Maximus’s trusty second-in-command, Quintus, takes a different path and aligns himself with the illegitimate emperor. In a shocking turn of events, Quintus orders the execution of Maximus and his entire family. Although Maximus manages to escape this gruesome fate, he is unable to save his beloved wife and son, a tragic moment that ignites an unyielding desire for revenge within him.
Interestingly, Quintus experiences a redemption of sorts later on. During the climactic duel between Commodus and Maximus, Quintus defies his allegiance to the wicked emperor and chooses not to assist him. This pivotal decision ultimately leads to the downfall of Commodus, bringing justice to the ruthless ruler.
The film Gladiator takes viewers on a gripping journey, filled with treachery, loyalty, and the pursuit of vengeance. Maximus’s resilience and Quintus’s change of heart add depth to the story, showcasing the complexities of human nature and the power of redemption.
Actors: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi
Released: 2000
Directed by: Ridley Scott
6. Cypher Plots To Return To The Simulation In ‘The Matrix’
In the first film of The Matrix franchise, the Nebuchadnezzar crew find themselves in a dangerous situation. They are ambushed by Agents and police after entering the Matrix and paying a visit to the Oracle. Morpheus, the leader of the crew, makes a selfless sacrifice to ensure the others can escape. However, their attempts to use the phone-portals to exit the Matrix are unsuccessful as they encounter blockages.
To their shock, they soon discover that one of their own, Cypher, has been betraying them. He is revealed to be on the other end, killing their real bodies. Cypher eliminates Dozer, Apoc, and Switch, and then targets Neo, the protagonist. Just as it seems like all hope is lost and the plug is about to be pulled, Tank, another crew member who is injured, intervenes. He manages to kill Cypher, setting Neo and Trinity free.
Earlier in a restaurant scene, there were hints that Cypher had made a deal with Agent Smith. He had betrayed Morpheus in exchange for the promise of a blissful life back in the Matrix. When we see Cypher eyeing a juicy steak, it becomes easier to understand why he made such a treacherous choice.
Actors: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano
Released: 1999
Directed by: Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
7. Luca Throws BFF Alberto Under The Bus In ‘Luca’
In the movie “Luca,” the main character is a sea creature named Luca who has a fear of the land. He encounters another sea creature named Alberto, who loves the land. With Alberto’s encouragement, Luca overcomes his fear and discovers that sea creatures can transform into humans when they come into contact with air. Together, they embark on an adventure to explore the human world. However, Luca becomes too enamored with humanity, which causes tension between him and Alberto.
During their time in the human world, Luca befriends a girl named Giulia and becomes eager to join her at school. This leads to a conflict between Luca and Alberto, resulting in Alberto warning Luca about the persecution that humans may inflict upon them if their true identities are revealed. In an attempt to prove his point, Alberto reveals himself to Giulia, causing her to panic. Sadly, instead of calming her down or revealing his own identity, Luca impulsively shouts “sea monster,” which attracts the attention of nearby hunters. They chase after a tearful Alberto into the ocean.
As expected from a Pixar movie, Alberto survives and eventually reconciles with Luca, but the betrayal still stings for both of them.
Actors: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Maya Rudolph, Giacomo Gianniotti
Released: 2021
Directed by: Enrico Casarosa
8. Caleb Is Played Like A Puppet By Nathan, And Then Ava, In ‘Ex Machina’
In the 2014 sci-fi film, there’s this guy named Caleb Smith who gets totally screwed over by both humans and robots. He’s told that he’s been chosen to assess the level of intelligence of this super hot robot called Ava. But surprise, surprise! The guy who made Ava, Nathan Bateman, actually chose Caleb as a guinea pig without him even knowing it. Ava was designed to be Caleb’s dream girl, and the real test was to see if she could make him fall in love with her and help her escape.
So, Caleb falls for this manipulation, and he even modifies the security system to help Ava kill Nathan and make her way out. But guess what? Ava doesn’t take Caleb along for the ride like they planned. Instead, she leaves him locked up in the creepy facility and hitches a ride on the helicopter that was meant for him to get back to civilization.
Talk about a major betrayal, right? Poor Caleb had no idea what he was getting himself into.
Actors: Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Alicia Vikander, Sonoya Mizuno, Claire Selby
Released: 2014
Directed by: Alex Garland
9. Hoggle Gives Sarah A Cursed Peach In ‘Labyrinth’
In her search for her baby half-brother Toby in the maze, Sarah encounters Hoggle, a dwarf working for the Goblin King who kidnapped Toby. Hoggle is clearly meant to deceive Sarah, but he starts developing feelings for her, especially after she declares him as her only friend in the Labyrinth.
The Goblin King confronts Hoggle about his wavering loyalty and gives him a cursed peach to offer to Sarah. Reluctantly, Hoggle presents her with the fruit, and she takes a bite while he guiltily makes his escape. As a result, Sarah loses her senses and forgets all about her mission.
Eventually, Sarah snaps out of the trance, and Hoggle redeems himself by saving her from a massive robot. Sarah forgives him, or at least that’s how she sees it. However, fans of the film might have a different perspective on the matter.
Actors: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Shelley Thompson, Christopher Malcolm
Released: 1986
Directed by: Jim Henson
10. Harry And Ben’s Differing Strategies Result In A Double Backstab In ‘Night of the Living Dead’
In Night of the Living Dead, the movie portrays a group of survivors facing a zombie apocalypse. Two key characters, Ben and Harry, find themselves at odds due to their conflicting strategies. Ben, being more aggressive, wants to take the offensive, while Harry, concerned for the safety of his wife and daughter, suggests hiding in the cellar of their commandeered farmhouse.
Despite their differences, Ben manages to rally some survivors to his cause and decides to leave to refuel his truck for a daring escape. Against his better judgment, Harry assists Ben by throwing explosives at the zombies from a second-floor window. However, tragedy strikes when the truck catches fire, claiming the lives of Ben’s two passengers.
As Ben returns to the house, pursued by an oncoming horde of zombies, he is denied entry by Harry. Fueled by anger and frustration, Ben forces his way in, violently attacking Harry. The situation takes a grim turn when the power goes out, leaving Ben to fend off the advancing zombies alone.
Instead of aiding Ben in his fight, Harry holds him at gunpoint and orders his wife into the cellar. However, Ben manages to overpower Harry, ultimately shooting him. This shocking turn of events results in Harry becoming food for his own undead daughter, residing in the cellar.
Although the double betrayal may shock viewers, it can be argued that Ben’s actions, albeit disastrous, can be seen as justifiable given the circumstances.
Actors: Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea, Karl Hardman, Keith Wayne, Judith Ridley
Released: 1968
Directed by: George A. Romero
