Can we talk about the 'it was all a dream' ending for horror movies?

I watched a new indie film last night that built up this amazing monster, only to have the main character wake up in bed at the end. I see this exact same lazy ending suggested in every other forum thread for movies like 'The Descent' or 'The Mist'. Why does everyone think adding a reset button is a good idea when it just erases the whole story?

2 comments

2 Comments

chen.jade14d ago

It's the storytelling equivalent of a toddler hiding behind their hands and yelling "you can't see me!

smith.anna14d ago

Honestly, that ending just feels like the writer gave up. What worked for me was a movie that used a dream sequence early on, so the real threat later felt way more scary and permanent.