There are fewer disappointing feelings than those we have when watching a film with an unsatisfactory ending. While being able to draw your own conclusions has its benefits, the lack of finality can be frustrating. Cliffhangers are intended to be optimistic nuggets for viewers, signaling a potential sequel or just that there's more to the story than meets the eye. If the sequel never materializes, or if the ending is too vague, there is a possibility that a large portion of the audience will feel short-changed after the film's cliffhangers never offer answers.
Many films have ended vaguely, leaving viewers wanting more. This could be a good thing, especially if more is to come; some of the best films have had emotional endings. But sometimes, betting on a sequel that never happens can be a frustrating issue for those watching. Letting the viewer decide can also seem kind, so those who are more positive choose the happiest scenario and those who are cynical will opt for destruction, but then again, these discussions often lack any form of closure. It can also be perceived as arrogance when filmmakers choose to end the film with an unresolved cliffhanger, an open scene, or just a cut in the middle.
10
Batman Returns (1992)
Directed by Tim Burton
There's so much greatness happening in Batman Returns Just like its predecessor, it was no wonder that Tim Burton and Michael Keaton had more to offer. The villains were fantastical and over-the-top, and the fact that audiences didn't see more of Michelle Pfeiffer's version of Catwoman is a crime. The moody and slightly whimsical interpretation of Gotham City was a great way to bring this iconic fictional city to the big screen, and the dialogue didn't take itself too seriously, which is a huge asset for comic book adaptations.
The ending of the film was satisfactory. Max Schreck was killed, the Penguin came to an end in a very moving way, and Catwoman was on her last life. Or so the spectators thought. As the music swells and the credits are about to roll, Michelle Pfeiffer's silhouette appears as she contemplates the Bat Signal. While it may seem like a great way to confirm that the character is still alive and well, the fact that there has yet to be a conclusion to his story is a tough pill to swallow.
9
Loyal (2016)
Directed by Robert Schwentke
Taking advantage of the wave of YA novel adaptations, the Divergent saga felt confident in putting together his story. Veronica Roth's source material consisted of three novels that told the complete story and an additional book from Four's perspective. As with many film franchises, the focus was on getting as much money out of the franchise as possible, and just like Dusk and The Hunger Games before that, the last book would be divided into two films. The problem was that interest in this particular franchise wasn't as high as some of the other big films at the time.
The actors were definitely not the problem, Shailene Woodley and Theo James led the cast, with support from Kate Winslet and Asley Judd, among others. There was a good mix of future stars and legacy talent, which was very exciting to watch. The stories themselves were entertaining, if not terribly original. Both Divergent and Insurgent scored similar numbers at the box office, so the fact that the third film underperformed must have come as a shock. This may have been due to audience fatigue; they had already been forced to sit through several films that prolonged the original literature they were based on. Anyway, the flop of Loyalwhich ends halfway through the novel it's based on, left audiences with no on-screen resolution to Triss and Four's story.
8
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
Directed by Mark Webb
It could be argued that the beloved webslinger's new release came hot on the heels of the original trilogy, but Andrew Garfield wasn't a carbon copy of Toby Maguire and was able to show a different side to Peter Parker. A bit cooler and bolder, he wasn't as shy and clumsy as his predecessor, and he didn't hide his secret from his love interest Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) for long. This was able to add more layers to their relationship, which was a nice contrast to all the secrecy of the previous trilogy.
Both installments performed well at the box office with both critics and fans, so when the second part ended, viewers were understandably disappointed. Peter wasn't able to grieve and process the loss of Gwen, he wasn't able to grow and find strength in this tragedy, and the audience didn't get to see what happened to Paul Giamatti's character. The reunion in Spider-Man: No Way Homeeased that pain a bit, but it's a shame that Andrew Garfield wasn't able to give more of his dream role, even though it's clear he would have done a great job with it.
7
The Fighter (2008)
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
A comeback for Mickey Rourke, who was beaten to an arguably deserved Oscar by Sean Penn. Randy Robinson is finished in his career and is a joke on the circuit. But the tide seems to be changing in both his professional and personal life, and the public joins him on this upward trajectory. The role was made for Rourke as he traverses this uncertain terrain with anxiety and hope, and viewers find themselves rooting for this underdog.
As is often the case in films about slightly older sportsmen, there are health problems that affect the main character's ability to do his job, and this inevitably happens to Randy. But with pride and arrogance at stake, and also the need to feel appreciated and validated, it all depends on the film's final departure. Will he win? Will he survive? That was left up to the audience, thanks to Darren Aronofsky's fade to black at the end.
6
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Directed by George Roy Hill
Paul Newman and Robert Redford teamed up to bring this iconic outlaw double act to life. Made at a time when Westerns were still an extremely popular genre, this particular film introduced more emotion and nuance to an often showy category, one of the many reasons why Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid it still stands today. In addition to action, the focus is friendship, camaraderie and loyalty. As the two antiheroes navigate their complicated lives of crime, they must trust each other in life-and-death situations.
The focus on anti-establishment factors is quite prevalent in this film, as both characters represent lawlessness with a purpose. As the audience watches their story for nearly two hours, they grow closer to them and root for them to succeed. But unfortunately, the long arm of the law finally finds Butch and Kid, and a shootout ensues. It continues but doesn't end, because that's where the film ends. Because the film is based on real people, it's possible for viewers to do their own research, but as many film fans know, changes to stories happen all the time. So, it's up to the audience to decide what happened to the bad guys and whether or not they get a happy ending.
5
The Birds (1963)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
There is a lot of mystery surrounding the plot of this classic film and many, many questions it raises. Why did the birds start attacking? Was it all Melanie Daniels' fault? Will they attack again? None of these questions are addressed, at least not in any concrete way, and it is up to the audience to fill in the gaps. An air of intrigue is necessary, especially in a thriller, and a lot of the fear and anxiety comes from how random it all seems. However, having at least a little context could have been helpful.
It's one of those films that could have warranted a sequel, even though Hitchcock wasn't known for revisiting his stories. As the car drives away after the horrors of the last few hours, it is up to the viewer to decide whether the danger has officially passed. Will the birds follow them elsewhere? Will they continue to terrorize this small coastal town? Or is everything really over? The public will never know.
4
Hellboy (2019)
Directed by Neil Marshall
There have been many unsuccessful comic book adaptations over the years, but with Marvel largely immune to this curse and DC on a new high, superhero projects were doing well. There were occasional missteps, sometimes due to poor marketing, oversaturation, or complicated protagonists, but in 2019, this should have been a surefire hit. However, this became the only way out for Hellboy's iteration. David Harbor fully committed to his role, enduring hours of makeup and prosthetics and fully immersing himself in the universe.
The film was clearly set up as the start of a franchise, but unfortunately, poor box office performance meant there were no more stories to be told. $55 million worldwide was more than a little disappointing, and despite the Koshchei the Immortal setup and some pretty commendable casting, those who have seen this version will have to deal with its standalone status. Happily, Hellboy: The Crooked Man hit VOD this year.
3
Planet of the Apes (2001)
Directed by Tim Burton
Although there has been a more successful reboot of the franchise, this specific attempt to relaunch this universe was not followed up. It wasn't a huge flop, grossing almost $200 million in the US alone, but by the same metrics, it wasn't a huge success either. The vision was there, Burton created a dark world with interesting characters, and the CGI was definitely an improvement over films from the 1960s and 1970s. The cast was also good, with Helena Bonham Carter giving her usual powerful performance in a role that wasn't normally in his wheelhouse.
The caliber of the cliffhanger is also quite large to deal with. As Leo (Mark Wahlberg) returns to Earth, discovering that it is now ruled by apes, the audience is left with many questions. Unfortunately, these specific questions are never answered, as subsequent sequels were not part of this storyline. So any viewer who really wants to know the story of how the Lincoln Memorial is now a statue of one of the apes will have to use their imagination.
2
Home (2010)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan has always been a fan of subverting expectations and distorting reality. He was able to do this on a grand scale in this high-octane thriller that demands a lot of audience attention. With so many story levels and characters and viewers being pulled deeper into the dream world, it's easy to get lost. While Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon Levitt et al. do your best to explain the concept, sometimes it is still very difficult to follow.
Having the spinning top as an anchor to the real world is what lets the audience know what is a dream and what is not, so the last scene StartThe infamously frustrating cliffhanger ending can be interpreted many different ways. The fact that it never falls makes it unclear whether Cobb decided to stay with his wife or returned to his children. To add another layer, it's unclear if he had any choice in the matter as he could have simply gotten lost in the madness. Either way, there are still ongoing discussions about whether or not the spinner falls off, and viewers will never know what's real and what's not.
1
Triangle of Sadness (2022)
Directed by Ruben Östlund
This incredibly quirky and subversive film has had audiences scratching their heads since its first standing ovation at Cannes. There is a lot to unpack and a lot to try to understand. It is filmed in a way that engages viewers in every situation. With every sound of a windshield wiper and the buzz of a fly, they feel what the characters are feeling. The motion sickness scene is so visceral that you can almost smell it in the air. But after spending so much time on scenes of seriously ill people, Ruben Östlund completely ignores something that could be the subject of another film in its own right.
As the viewer joins the survivors of the pirate attack, they are as clueless as the castaways themselves. It’s up to them to fill in the gaps and paint a broader picture. So, after adapting to this new reality and social structure, they discover that, after all, they are living on an inhabited island. However, when the camera cuts before Abigail (Dolly De Leon) is shown killing (or not killing) Yaya (Charbli Dean). With so many potential scenarios of what's to come, the questions are endless. At the top of the list, though, could be: how come no one found them in all this time?