The Terminator franchise has delivered many shocking twists over six movies filled with time traveling characters and alternate timelines.
The series used the mechanics of time travel to create thrilling narrative reversals, turning heroes into villains and victories into tragedies.
These twists are the engine of the entire saga, constantly re-framing the stakes of the apocalyptic war between humanity and Skynet.
This willingness to upend its own mythology is the key to the franchise’s enduring appeal.
Author's summary: Terminator franchise's twists drive its appeal.