8. The Descent (2005)
The Descent stands out as one of the best horror movies of the ’00s, and not for nothing: its dark and claustrophobic horror is bone-chillingly memorable. Following a group of women who explore (and subsequently become trapped in) a cave system, The Descent follows their attempts to find their way to safety. Their plight is complicated by the fact that the cave is inhabited by bloodthirsty humanoid creatures, as well as various unresolved social issues between the characters (which really should have been less of a consideration for them in that moment, come to think of it).
The Descent ends with protagonist Sarah finding her way clear of the caves, escaping the creatures and leaving her friends’ bodies behind in order to get help. However, the original UK release saw a very brief additional element to the ending which also serves as a staggering (and depressing) twist. Sarah’s escape is revealed to be a hallucination, and the film ends with her trapped in the cave surrounded by the creatures.
The nature of the ending combined with the fact that it only technically exists in a different cut of the movie means that it’s far from the best horror movie plot twist, but it’s still exceptionally well-done. The triumphant moment of Sarah’s escape is ripped away by the sudden reveal of her hallucination, and it’s a perfectly horrifying way of wrapping up the unforgettable tension that The Descent spent its runtime building. Though it may not have been the most well-earned twist ending, it stands out in how unforgiving a development it is, earning it a spot on the list for its bare-fared cruelty.