The Art of the Twist in Horror Writing

Because sometimes the scariest thing isn’t the monster—it’s what you thought you knew.

There’s a delicious kind of betrayal that only a great plot twist can offer. It makes you gasp, flip pages backwards, and whisper “I should’ve seen it coming…” while grinning like someone who’s just seen behind the curtain.

In horror, a twist isn’t just a clever trick—it’s a weapon. When done right, it intensifies dread, deepens character stakes, and makes the fear feel inescapably personal.

Let’s explore how to craft twists that don’t just surprise your reader—but gut them.

Good Twist vs. Bad Twist

A good twist:

• Is surprising and inevitable in hindsight.

• Reframes the story’s events or character motivations.

• Elevates the horror rather than distracting from it.

A bad twist:

• Feels cheap or out of nowhere.

• Contradicts previously established logic.

• Exists only to shock, without emotional or thematic weight.

Remember: the twist isn’t a party trick. It’s a knife that’s been hidden in the story’s shadows all along.

Types of Plot Twists in Horror

The Surprise Ending: A final revelation that flips everything on its head (The Sixth Sense, Gone Girl).

The Big Reveal: Unveiled via confession or flashback, it changes how we view past events (Sharp Objects, Behind Her Eyes).

Red Herrings: False clues that keep the reader guessing—and doubting themselves (The Girl on the Train, Scream).

Twist of Fate / Power Shift: Just when the protagonist thinks they’ve won... the tables turn. (Hereditary, The Mist).

Twists That Still Haunt Us (Book + Film)

The Only Good Indians – Stephen Graham Jones: You think it’s about guilt—and then you realise the revenge is far more literal and spiritual.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle – Shirley Jackson: The narrator is so sweetly off-kilter, you don’t realise you’ve been locked in with the real danger.

Get Out – Jordan Peele: The reveal of Rose’s true intentions isn’t just horrifying—it’s deeply political and culturally loaded.

The Others – Alejandro Amenábar: The twist is both tragic and terrifying—and it redefines every haunting moment that came before it.

How to Build a Plot with a Twist (Without Losing the Thread)

Misdirection & Red Herrings

Introduce seemingly important characters or events that distract from the real horror. Don’t make them pointless—just not the point.

Subtle Foreshadowing

Plant the seeds early. The best twist endings feel like a magic trick you almost figured out.

Ambiguity

Let readers sit in the fog. Use unreliable narrators or conflicting perspectives to keep the truth hazy until the right moment.

Character Knowledge

What does the protagonist know that the reader doesn’t? Or vice versa? Control the drip-feed of truth.

Seeds of Dread

Hint that something is off. Even if your reader doesn’t know what’s coming, they should sense the tension tightening.

Writing Prompt:

Write a scene where a character is searching for a missing person. Along the way, include subtle details that suggest they are the one who made them disappear—but don’t confirm it outright.

Let the dread build. Let the reader squirm.

Final Thoughts: The Twist Is a Promise

In horror, the twist is more than a surprise. It’s the echo in the dark, the glint under the floorboards, the sudden realisation that the real monster has been in the mirror all along.

So give your readers the breadcrumbs. Let them think they know the way out.

Then slam the door behind them.