Movie trailers can sometimes be a bit deceiving — which you discover when the movie is actually nothing like the preview promised. Someone in a popular online forum asked, “Is there a movie that was marketed misleadingly to hide a plot twist?” Here are 14 responses from movie fans and, be warned, there are definitely some spoilers!
1 – Drive (2011)
Some people said Drive‘s marketing was misleading. One movie fan summed it up perfectly, writing, “Imagine going to a movie expecting a brainless action flick and instead seeing one of the best movies ever made and then getting upset about it.”
2 – About Time
Many said that About Time was marketed as a rom-com but the movie was something entirely different. “About Time is a movie that markets itself as a rom-com silly time travel movie, but it’s really about a relationship between a son and a father,” one person noted.
3 – Seven (1995)
The problem most people have with Seven is how well the villain of the film is hidden. “The trailer and poster of Seven intentionally did not include Kevin Spacey,” explained one fan, while another pointed out that Spacey’s name is even missing from the opening credits sequence. His name appears first in the end credits, however.
4 – Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Most moviegoers thought Million Dollar Baby was just going to be another inspirational underdog story. So when the big twist in the story comes, viewers feel blindsided.
What was supposed to be just another sports movie shifts to a look at the heartbreaking reality of the weight of end-of-life care.
5 – Jarhead (2005)
Much like the Marines at the center of the film, movie fans were expecting more action in Jarhead than they ended up seeing.
6 – Scream (1996)
If you weren’t around when the original Scream came out, it might be a surprise to you to find out that Drew Barrymore is in the film. But for film fans who remember the movie’s marketing campaign, they feel cheated. Barrymore’s face was literally the poster for the movie in the early advertising days.
“They marketed the original Scream as a slasher flick starring Drew Barrymore,” one person explained. “Unfortunately, her character was an early casualty within the film’s first few minutes.”
7 – Suicide Squad (2016)
Several people agreed that Suicide Squad had amazing trailers but didn’t deliver the awesome. For starters, the trailers made Joker out to be a way bigger role than he ended up being. “Not only was he not a character of any importance, but they also made a dancing witch the main baddie,” said one critic.
The Suicide Squad (2021) was way better. See that one instead.
8 – Barbarian (2022)
The thing about Barbarian is that no one really knows what it’s supposed to be about. “They marketed Barbarian as a cautionary tale of trusting strangers,” one person said. “However, what you get is much more bizarre.”
If you decide to watch this one, brace yourself around the second act: that’s when the whiplash will hit.
9 – Marley and Me (2008)
Several dog lovers were wishing they had checked doesthedogdie.com before they saw Marley & Me. One person who watched the movie said, “This movie singlehandedly ruined dog movies for me.”
10 – Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
People who read the book Bridge to Terabithia didn’t have to watch the movie to call out the misleading marketing campaign. This is no classic fantasy, there is no real magical kingdom.
11 – Kangaroo Jack (2003)
Animated kangaroos rapping and wearing hoodies made many assume Kangaroo Jack was a family-friendly film. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The kangaroos are just one dream sequence in a mafia-centric comedic thriller.
12 – Gone Girl (2014)
While so many people have complained about twists on this list, Gone Girl is a rare moment of praise.
“Gone Girl had to sell the entire film in its first 45 minutes not to spoil the twist,” one person explained. “David Fincher talks about it in the movie commentary.” Another fan added they went into the movie knowing nothing about it.
13 – Arrival (2016)
Grieving the death of her daughter in the opening scene, movie watchers are made to believe we are in the now. But really, we are in the future. The story in Arrival isn’t told linearly, making it an unexpected plot twist.
14 – The Sixth Sense (1999)
The unexpected plot twist occurs at the end when Dr. Crowe realizes he actually isn’t alive. This was unforeseen in the trailers, of course, which left moviegoers stunned.
Source: Reddit.
Source link: https://wealthofgeeks.com/movies-deceptively-marketed-to-hide-a-plot-twist/ by Elizabeth Ervin at wealthofgeeks.com
