genre twist
The "twist ending" that pervades science fiction, horror, mystery, and fantasy writing, television, or film -- basically, anything that might get the label "genre". The classic example is that Bruce Willis was dead the entire time.
Marlene: Hey, did you watch Criminal Minds last week?
Jill: Yeah, but I figured out the genre twist just before they revealed the kid was the killer.
Marlene: I got it before the end of the second commercial break.
Jill: Yeah, but I figured out the genre twist just before they revealed the kid was the killer.
Marlene: I got it before the end of the second commercial break.