The way Netflix ended “How It Ends” left many viewers scratching their heads and searching for answers. This apocalyptic thriller starring Theo James and Forest Whitaker takes us on a cross-country journey through an unexplained disaster, only to leave us with more questions than closure.
The Journey Through Chaos
The story follows Will (Theo James) as he travels from Chicago to Seattle to rescue his pregnant fiancée Sam during a mysterious catastrophic event. Along the way, he’s accompanied by his former military father-in-law Tom (Forest Whitaker), creating a tense dynamic that drives much of the film’s emotional core.
Understanding the Ending
Here’s where things get interesting – and frustrating for many viewers. The film deliberately keeps us in the dark about what caused the nationwide disaster. We see electrical failures, strange weather patterns, and unexplained seismic activity, but never get a concrete explanation.
The Final Scenes
In the movie’s closing moments, Will finally reaches Seattle, but Tom has died along the way. He finds Sam, and they attempt to escape the city as a massive wall of smoke approaches. The film ends with Will and Sam driving away from Seattle, leaving viewers to wonder about their fate and the nature of the catastrophe.
Why So Ambiguous?
You might be thinking, “Wait, that’s it?” And you’re not alone. The ending’s ambiguity appears intentional, focusing more on the human element than providing scientific explanations. It’s less about what caused the disaster and more about how people react when faced with societal collapse.
Possible Interpretations
Some viewers theorize it could have been:
– A supervolcanic eruption
– A massive electromagnetic pulse
– The beginning of a nuclear war
– A natural phenomenon we don’t understand
The Real Message
Looking deeper, “How It Ends” isn’t really about how the world ends – it’s about how people respond to crisis. We see the best and worst of humanity throughout Will’s journey, from selfless help to violent opportunism.
Critical Reception
Many viewers felt let down by the lack of resolution, but others appreciate how the ambiguous ending mirrors real-life disasters – sometimes we never get all the answers we’re looking for. The film succeeds more as a character study than a traditional disaster movie.
If you’re watching “How It Ends” for the first time, my advice is to focus less on getting answers about the catastrophe and more on the human drama unfolding. Think of it as a story about relationships tested under extreme circumstances rather than a disaster movie that needs to explain everything.
Remember, sometimes in storytelling, as in life, the journey matters more than the destination – even if that destination leaves us with unanswered questions.
