The Departed (2006)
The Death Scene: Billy Costigan (Leo DiCaprio) looks like he's got Sullivan (Matt Damon) where he wants him, until he takes a bullet to the head from another of Costello's moles. Who then gets shot by Sullivan. Phew!
Most Shocking Element: We really weren't expecting DiCaprio to get shot, even though most of the film's key players go the same way. It comes out of nowhere as well.
Final Destination (2000)
The Death Scene: Having successfully evaded Death's clutches, Terry announces that she refuses to live her life tiptoeing around the inevitable. Admirable sentiments, but enough to distract her from the bus that's heading her way.
Most Shocking Element: Both she and the audience are blindsided with perfect timing!
Final Destination 2 (2003)
The Death Scene: Okay, no more Final Destination after this one, but we couldn't leave it out. Because when little Timmy gets crushed by a pane of glass, we never know whether to laugh or hurl. Either way, it's definitely shocking.
Most Shocking Element: Obnoxious he might be, but Timmy is still pretty young to get done over like this!
No Country For Old Men (2007)
The Death Scene: An off-screen death scene in which Josh Brolin's anti-hero, Llewellyn Moss, meets his maker at the hands of a gang of Mexican drug dealers.
Most Shocking Element: Not only is it shocking that the protagonist dies, it's also unsettling that it isn't even Chigurh who gets him! No wonder Tommy Lee Jones is left all at sea by proceedings.
Se7en (1995)
The Death Scene: Detective Somerset opens John Doe's parcel, and recoils in horror at what lies within. As Doe helpfully explains, it's the "pretty head" of Detective Mills' wife Tracy.
Most Shocking Element: Not only is it totally unexpected, and horribly grisly, there's also the fact that Tracy was pregnant. Jesus...
Chinatown (1974)
The Death Scene: Faye Dunaway's star witness makes a break from her abusive father, only to be gunned down by a posse of dopey coppers. Gaaah!
Most Shocking Element: It's just so bleak. Not only has Dunaway met her maker, the case against her father dies with her leaving her daughter in the old man's clutches. No wonder Jack Nicholson looks a bit gutted.
Pet Sematary (1989)
The Death Scene: Little Gage Creed wanders out into a main road and gets steamrollered by a truck. To the ancient Indian burial ground!
Most Shocking Element: We know it's a horror film, but if you can't see what's shocking about a toddler being squished by a lorry, you need help.
To Live And Die In L.A. (1985)
The Death Scene: William Petersen finally tracks down Willem Dafoe's villain, and almost has him in cuffs when the rotter wriggles free and shoots him in the face. With a shotgun, as well…
Most Shocking Element: Petersen's character has allowed his morals to go to hell in pursuit of his prey. Now he doesn't even get to see it through. Dafoe gets dropped by Petersen's partner, but it feels like a hollow victory.
Resident Evil (2002)
The Death Scene: One of Milla Jovovich's fellow military types finds himself trapped in a corridor protected by a network of security lasers. Showing off his best moves, he manages to evade the ever more complex movements, until the laser decides enough is enough, and turns him into mulch.
Most Shocking Element: For a mainstream movie (as opposed to a B-movie video nasty), this is incredibly gruesome, particularly the moment when his eye starts running down his face. Bleurgh.
Funny Games (1997)
The Death Scene: Having spent hours torturing both their prey and the audience, Paul and Peter take a bound and gagged Anna out on the family boat before casually tipping her into a watery grave.
Most Shocking Element: The fact that Paul's expression verges on boredom as he snuffs out Anna's life with a gentle push.
