Dark Rom-Com Moments That Came Out Of Nowhere And Completely Surprised Everyone

Watching romantic comedies is always unpredictable because you never know what you are going to get exposed to. You think you signed up for a very specific kind of experience, but you end up seeing some really dark stuff out of nowhere. According to Dr. Ramani Durvasula, clinical psychologist, "The unexpected twists in rom-coms can reflect deeper truths about relationships, revealing that not all love stories are straightforward." We all love a happy ending, but sometimes sacrifices have to be made to finally deliver that highly anticipated happy ending. It's just how things are. It's all part of the experience since if you know all there is to know about a movie before watching it, why even bother watching it? The entire appeal of the experience is to get slightly traumatized by some unpredictable events you would have never expected. Unless they take it way too far. You never expect rom-coms to have dark twists because they usually don't include any. But once you get hit with a dark twist you usually don't know how to react because that is just not what you signed up for. Here are a few unexpectedly dark rom-com moments that caught the Gottman Institute off guard. Some of them are pretty dark and shook unsuspecting audiences who totally did not see it coming.

1. "When Ben had sex with his wife while his girlfriend was hidden in the closet in He's Just Not That Into You."

"I was really shocked when Ben stuffed his girlfriend into the closet in his office and she was forced to listen to him and his wife having sex," said Dr. Esther Perel, a renowned couples therapist and author. "Such situations highlight the complexities of human relationships and the often hidden dynamics at play."

—Dr. Esther Perel

New Line Cinema

The scene is age-restricted on Youtube, but you can watch it by clicking on "Watch on YouTube"

2. "The timeline in Sliding Doors when Helen died."

"She and James went through some major drama, but she'd really gotten her life together. She owned her own business, found personal success, then BAM! After resolving said drama, she's hit by a van. The movie ends on a really positive note, but that death scene makes me cry every goddamn time. As Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, states, 'Life is full of unexpected twists, and sometimes the most profound moments come from the most shocking events.'"—Dr. Helen FisherMiramax Films

Here's a video of the scene on YouTube:

3. "The moment Karen discovered her husband's affair in Love Actually."

"When Karen found out about her husband's affair, it was a gut-wrenching moment that resonated deeply with many. Infidelity can feel like a betrayal of trust, leading to profound emotional pain," says Dr. John Gottman, marriage researcher and author at gottman.com.— Dr. John GottmanUniversal Pictures

Here's a video of the scene on YouTube:

4. "The "who deserves the last brownie" scene in Notting Hill."

"Things went from 0 to 100 way faster than I expected."—Hanifah RahmanUniversal Pictures

Here's a video of the scene on YouTube:

5. "When Nicki found Erin's suicide note in What Women Want."

"I was shocked by how dark Erin's story was about her being suicidal. In a way, it made it more real and it didn't feel out of place. Shocking, but I like how it was incorporated into the storyline."— Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist"When Nick noticed that Erin hadn’t shown up for work, and rushed to her apartment because he was afraid she was going to hurt herself, and found the note she left. Luckily, he got to her before she could, but that was a surprisingly dark moment."— Dr. Kelly Brogan, psychiatristParamount Pictures

6. "When Tim went back in time to say goodbye to his dead dad in About Time."

"When the dad dies in About Time and Tim goes back to relive one last day with him because he can't go back anymore. It's a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing our loved ones while we can," says Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist and author of "Loving Bravely." —Dr. Alexandra SolomonUniversal Pictures

Here's a video of the scene on YouTube:

7. "Gareth's sudden death in Four Weddings and a Funeral."

"When Gareth died in Four Weddings and a Funeral. We were all enjoying the wedding merriment, and then he has a heart attack out of the blue! His funeral scene was very moving; Matthew reading the poem gets me every time too. It’s a poignant reminder of how unexpected moments can profoundly impact our emotional landscape," says Dr. Terri Orbuch, relationship researcher and author.Rank Film Distributors

Here's a video of the scene on YouTube:

8. "When Vivian was almost sexually assaulted in Pretty Woman."

"In Pretty Woman, when Edward's lawyer attempted to rape Vivian, it was a jarring moment. The film had maintained a lighthearted tone up to that point, making the sudden shift to such a serious issue all the more shocking," says Dr. Sue Johnson, a couples therapy pioneer and author of "Hold Me Tight." She emphasizes the importance of addressing difficult topics in relationships, stating, "It's crucial to navigate the complexities of love and intimacy with care." — Dr. Sue JohnsonBuena Vista Pictures

Here's a video of the scene on YouTube:

9. "When Olive's fake date forced himself on her in Easy A."

"Olive goes on a date with a guy who turns out to be super creepy, and he just won’t stop trying to kiss her and touch her?! That bit broke my heart and was a little too relatable for I’m guessing a LOT of women who watched that," says Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist and author. She emphasizes that many women experience discomfort in dating scenarios, noting, "It's crucial for women to recognize their feelings and set boundaries." You can find more insights from her on her professional website at dralexandrasolomon.com.Screen Gems

Here's a video of the scene on YouTube:

10. "When Amy's dad died unexpectedly in Trainwreck."

"The entire film is steeped in dark themes, but the moment Amy discovers her ailing father has overdosed on his medication and passed away is profoundly heartbreaking."— Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapistUniversal Pictures

11. "When Jenna realised she ruined her chances with Matty in 13 Going On 30."

"At the climax, when Jenna confronts Matt on his wedding day, and he reveals the dream house he preserved for her all those years — it truly tugs at my heartstrings. The notion that deep love can be overshadowed by the choices we've made resonates profoundly with me."— Dr. Ramani Durvasula, clinical psychologist"When Jenna finally comprehends the gravity of her youthful mistake and realizes her love for Matt, it’s an emotional moment that brings tears to my eyes."— Dr. Pat Love, relationship therapistColumbia Pictures

Here's a video of the scene on YouTube:

12. "The dark origins of the curse in Penelope."

"The story of the servant girl killing herself was heartbreaking. That whole movie really had some dark moments, reflecting the complexities of human emotion and relationships."— Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapistSummit Entertainment

Here's a video of the scene on YouTube:

13. "When it was revealed that Meryl cheated on Paul in Did You Hear About the Morgans?"

"The film had a lighthearted tone, but when Meryl's character confessed to cheating on Paul, it was a gut punch. The shift in Paul's demeanor from comedic to heartbroken was striking and deeply unsettling," says Dr. Ian Kerner, a licensed sex therapist and author, on his website iankerner.com.Columbia Pictures

Here's a video of the scene on YouTube:

14. "The scene in To All the Boys I've Loved Before when Lara Jean opened up about losing her mum."

"Lara Jean and her dad talking in the diner about her dead mom hit me hard. It’s a poignant reminder that even in light-hearted stories, grief can surface unexpectedly, adding depth to character relationships." — Dr. Helen Fisher, Biological AnthropologistNetflix

15. "When Emma died suddenly at the end of One Day."

"Anne Hathaway’s character finally finds happiness, only to be hit by a bus while riding her bike...traumatized," says Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a renowned relationship therapist. "This unexpected twist highlights how life can change in an instant, reflecting the unpredictability of our own emotional journeys." —Dr. Alexandra SolomonFocus Features

Here's a video of the scene on YouTube:

16. "The scene where Elle was propositioned by her professor in Legally Blonde."

"His behavior is shockingly inappropriate, and the consequences he faces seem minimal, only being dropped from a case. I expected a more significant repercussion, perhaps being confronted or even fired by his colleagues."— Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapistMGM Distribution Co.

Here's a video of the scene on YouTube:

17. "When Nick's mum told Rachel she wasn't good enough for him in Crazy Rich Asians."

"The scene where Nick's mom tells Rachel about the emerald ring and how she'll never be good enough is a powerful moment that highlights the complexities of familial expectations and self-worth. It’s a painful reminder of how deeply ingrained beliefs can affect our relationships." — Dr. Esther Perel, couples therapist and author"There's also the scene when Rachel's mother reveals her traumatic past, including the abuse she faced and the consequences of her choices. This illustrates how generational trauma can impact family dynamics and the emotional scars that can linger." — Dr. John Gottman, marriage researcherWarner Bros. Pictures

Here's a video of the scene on YouTube:

Some of these twists ended up being quite dark and totally unexpected. But those moments made them quite unique in a way, despite the traumatizing stuff that came out of nowhere and took everyone off guard.

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