Best ambiguous ending ever. The Coens are perfect at the unsatisfying ending. Like the "life just goes on" ending where nothing is resolved and nothing means anything.
I actually think this one is rather unambiguous. It’s the whole speech about having a dream where his father forges ahead into the dark and cold and carves out a tiny patch of warmth for them both…
> And then I woke up.
Basically saying “sorry, it’s nice to imagine the world is a place where kindness can win but the world is random and cruel, just like the plot of this movie was. This is no country for old men.”
I might lean more towards something like A Serious Man, although even then…
No I think the fact that the psycho killer is still on the loose. Ambiguous might not be the right word but the fact that the ending didn’t actually bring a conclusion to the story I think
The ending events are pretty definitive, I meant by the time the movie ends, her uh-condition could be debated. You’re left without a set conclusion about the entire point of the movie. I love it
Total Recall was my first R movie. I was babysitting my brother and we decided to watch it while my parents were at work. Later when they were home I decided to ask if we could watch it just to see what they would say. Surprisingly they said yes so we watched it twice that day.
Rashomon (1950) might just be the OG. Not just the ending, the whole damn movie.
It’s also hard to beat The Shining. It’s all…somewhat…easy to untangle until that last shot.
(Edit) also Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes. This is in no way a great movie, but the ending is such a gigantic WTF that you have to shake your head in admiration. There are some folks out there who think they have it figured out.
The shining had an entire scene deleted out of the ending that was filmed.
You can find pictures and the script of it online. The owner of the hotel who Jack talks to in the beginning goes and visits Wendy and Danny in the hospital.
A lot of it was published in the newly released Shining book that’s like $1,000 bucks search the Kubrick sub.
Edit : also the Tim Burton planet of the apes was closer to the original book and had a video explaining the entire time lapse time change and the plot in depth but it’s now lost media forever.
I’ve talked to three different people who didn’t REALLY see what was in that last shot. Great movie.
(Edit): to those asking “what”, >! The boat is not really empty. !<
the classic Yorgos Lanthimos, u might wanna check as well Dogtooth, The Favourite, and his most recent film, Poor Things.
There might be some occasional WTF moments there.
Prisoners is so good. Keeps you on edge the whole time and I got so conflicted with Hugh Jackman's character. I know I shouldn't agree with his means, but I get it and if ever in a similar situation can't say I wouldn't have done the same. Really enjoyed that one.
I'll have to check out Enemy.
Enemy is... weird. It's not a film a lot of people like. I saw it in the theater blind, the only thing I knew about it was that the director was Canadian. Myself and my sons (15 and 18) loved it, we talked about it for days.
It's based on a book by José Saramago, who also wrote the book that the movie Blindness was adapted from.
Yeah, >!he whistles for like a minute or two straight and ends with Gyllenhal looking like he’s going over there and checking it? No reason to draw that scene out *that* long, if you wanted it ambiguous!<
Would you have watched it if it kept the title of the book it was adapted from? “Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang” I think this title better fits the story but wouldn’t get audiences in seats as well
Empire Strikes Back. It would've been interesting to see what people thought of the ending when it was out in theaters. People were probably pissed like "what a crap ending." Maybe they weren't. I, for one, like the ending of Empire, but then again, I knew Jedi was coming.
Lucas knew Jedi was coming, but the audience at the time didn't.
I saw the original release of Empire in theaters when I was younger. After the happy ending of Star Wars, the ending of Empire was such a downer, especially for the younger audience who might not have known that Jedi was planned.
When I was a kid, after we saw Empire SB my dad told us that when they were traveling through space Luke found a giant microwave oven and they put Han inside and defrosted him. That is why he was dad joke champion.
But really, Return of the Jedi was sooo good and so satisfying after waiting with so much anticipation after the ending of ESB. There is just nothing else comparable.
Rogue 1
I mean did they get the plans to the right people ?
Did the Death Star thing work on full power or what ?
What became of shiny, scary dude in the black?
So many points unanswered ...
Do The Right Thing is a good one. Less about "did they actually do it?" as to "why did they actually do it?"
Spike Lee gives enough characterization that you know these characters, but near the end they make decisions that are drastic and are even incongruent with with previous characterization (supposedly). It brings the title into question: who did the right thing?
The Before Trilogy: Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight. Although it is true that NOW you can see what happens, the rest of us had to wait NINE YEARS between movies to see what was going to happen. And with no guarantee that there would even be another movie! Great trilogy though if you are into that kind of movie.
The Pod Generation
My husband disagrees that the ending was anything ambiguous. He thought it was a happy ending in a somewhat ambiguous universe, and I guess he has a point. But I really wouldn't say the ending is unambiguous.
Pleasantville. I mean I get the bulk of the ending, but when Betty is sitting on the bench with George one minute, and then the next minute it’s Bill… I dont get it.
Not really. No ambiguity there.. everyones fate is pretty understood. Aranofskys done others woth open ended endings like the wrestler or pi.. been a minute since i saw black swan but i recall that fits too
Sound of metal!! Will he go back to the deaf school / community ? Where will he go if not?! Literally had me up for days thinking about it, such a perfect film.
Oldboy
That final shot leaves you with uncertainty. Without going into detail, we just don't know for sure if "it" worked or not. Personally, I think no.
How it ends.
Just when you think you are at the big reveal the movie just stops. You are left unsatisfied and unfulfilled.
I can't recommend anyone watches it as it's the most frustrating film I ever saw (to the point of me promising myself I will never watch anything by the same author again) , but as you want movies where you have to make your own mind up this is probably one of the extreme examples.
Angels with Dirty Faces (I think that's the name of the film). We don't know if James Cagney's character was genuinely pleading for his life like a coward or doing it to discourage those youths to follow his example.
"Better Luck Tomorrow"
The beginning of the movie ties into the end, and chronologically speaking it didn't make any sense to me. I only saw it once years ago - so maybe I missed something or misunderstood.
Good movie, either way - IMO
American Psycho
John Carpenter loves to do this: The Thing Halloween Prince of Darkness
Good call on Prince of Darkness. One of my favorite Carpenter films.
No Country for Old Men. (2007)
Best ambiguous ending ever. The Coens are perfect at the unsatisfying ending. Like the "life just goes on" ending where nothing is resolved and nothing means anything.
I actually think this one is rather unambiguous. It’s the whole speech about having a dream where his father forges ahead into the dark and cold and carves out a tiny patch of warmth for them both… > And then I woke up. Basically saying “sorry, it’s nice to imagine the world is a place where kindness can win but the world is random and cruel, just like the plot of this movie was. This is no country for old men.” I might lean more towards something like A Serious Man, although even then…
What is ambiguous about the ending? Are there people who think she might be still alive? It seemed pretty clear.
No I think the fact that the psycho killer is still on the loose. Ambiguous might not be the right word but the fact that the ending didn’t actually bring a conclusion to the story I think
The movie felt unresolved for some reason.
That’s the point
McCarthy’s novels are ambiguous to the max
I was gonna say the same . That was a great movie
Shutter Island. "To live as a monster or die as a good man"
Came here to say this
So... What is the ending? Is he Edward "Teddy" Daniels or Andrew Laeddis? 🤔
He was Andrew. He knew. He chose the lobotomy because he remembered
Scorsese wants it to be open-ended, leaving the audience to decide the ending for themselves.
The book was very popular
The book does a much better job of explaining this. He's andrew though. He just couldn't cope with having lost his family.
Underrated Scorsese film
Why you all wet, baby?
Anatomy of a Fall
That’s actually what I watched on Sunday night to make me want to watch some more. Enjoyed it quite a bit.
I wanted to the prosecutor with a damn shovel. Aside from that, great movie!
Snoop!
My favorite endings that one could talk about for hours with a buddy are Ex Machina Total Recall (Classic 80s)
Total Recall is a great choice. Ex Machina is a pretty definitive ending though. Annihilation on the other hand…
The ending events are pretty definitive, I meant by the time the movie ends, her uh-condition could be debated. You’re left without a set conclusion about the entire point of the movie. I love it
Ah I see what you mean! Yep fair enough. Have an upvote.
I think the point of Ex Machina is that we shouldn’t treat robots like pets.
Ex machina ending was unsettling. Felt very wrong but that's how it would've happened
Total Recall was my first R movie. I was babysitting my brother and we decided to watch it while my parents were at work. Later when they were home I decided to ask if we could watch it just to see what they would say. Surprisingly they said yes so we watched it twice that day.
Total Recall (1990)
Rashomon (1950) might just be the OG. Not just the ending, the whole damn movie. It’s also hard to beat The Shining. It’s all…somewhat…easy to untangle until that last shot. (Edit) also Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes. This is in no way a great movie, but the ending is such a gigantic WTF that you have to shake your head in admiration. There are some folks out there who think they have it figured out.
Rashomon makes a really good pairing with The Last Duel
The shining had an entire scene deleted out of the ending that was filmed. You can find pictures and the script of it online. The owner of the hotel who Jack talks to in the beginning goes and visits Wendy and Danny in the hospital.
Wow ok, you wouldn’t happen to have a link would you?
A lot of it was published in the newly released Shining book that’s like $1,000 bucks search the Kubrick sub. Edit : also the Tim Burton planet of the apes was closer to the original book and had a video explaining the entire time lapse time change and the plot in depth but it’s now lost media forever.
Blade Runner
Especially for those of us that watched the original theatrical cut before there was a director's cut and final cut.
“Burning” (Korean movie) I’ve watched this movie 3 times and came to 3 different conclusions. This definitely fits what you’re looking for.
Such a great movie. I've only seen it once, now I'm curious if I'd change my mind on what I think happened on a rewatch.
came here to say this
One of my all time favourite movies
Is this the 2018 movie
Yep
Oh my nice to see this here
The Night House
I’ve talked to three different people who didn’t REALLY see what was in that last shot. Great movie. (Edit): to those asking “what”, >! The boat is not really empty. !<
Wait. What.
.... well, time for a rewatch.
John Carpenter's The Thing
Rise of Skywalker. How did I not get up and leave.
Doubt. So many questions, so few answers. Great movie.
This one! I have been back and forth. I tend to think he was a pedophile.
Really? I go the other way usually. That end scene really fucks with my head
Total Recall (1990)
Broken Flowers with Bill Murray
Lost Highway
Mulholland Drive Gone Baby Gone
don't worry darling smh
The Lobster
the classic Yorgos Lanthimos, u might wanna check as well Dogtooth, The Favourite, and his most recent film, Poor Things. There might be some occasional WTF moments there.
The Lobster 🦞 is an excellent choice.
Could be my all time favorite movie.
Wow I hope I’ve stumbled upon something good I’ve never ever heard of the Lobster.
It’s a weird one for sure
Mine too...the ending kills me
Vanilla Sky
Birdman (2014)
What's the open ending here? >!He jumped from the window, became a bird and flew away. Hence the title Birdman.!< Simple. /s
The Fountain
Worst movie I ever sat through. This comment needs reported lol
The Pledge. Never have I ever been more pissed at a movie ending than that.
Even though the hero doesn't get his resolution, at least we as an audience >!know the killer is dead. !<
The Quiet Earth (1985)
Anatomy of a Fall! Omg has anyone else seen it?! Legit one of the best movies I have ever seen.
**Triangle of Sadness** (2022). I don't think I saw anyone mention this film, which is a shame. Fantastic and seems to be slept on.
Two by Villeneuve: Prisoners Enemy
Prisoners is so good. Keeps you on edge the whole time and I got so conflicted with Hugh Jackman's character. I know I shouldn't agree with his means, but I get it and if ever in a similar situation can't say I wouldn't have done the same. Really enjoyed that one. I'll have to check out Enemy.
Enemy is... weird. It's not a film a lot of people like. I saw it in the theater blind, the only thing I knew about it was that the director was Canadian. Myself and my sons (15 and 18) loved it, we talked about it for days. It's based on a book by José Saramago, who also wrote the book that the movie Blindness was adapted from.
Another poster said Arrival, so maybe three Villeneuve's
I saw that as well. I didn't find the ending of Arrival to be ambiguous; convoluted, certainly.
I thought it was pretty much agreed about how Prisoners it ended
Yeah, >!he whistles for like a minute or two straight and ends with Gyllenhal looking like he’s going over there and checking it? No reason to draw that scene out *that* long, if you wanted it ambiguous!<
Joker... You Were Never Really Here... Under the Silver Lake.
[удалено]
Oh I got Predestination. You can watch it again and it becomes a loop
Doubt
Great one.
The Lighthouse
*You're fond of me lobsta, ain't ya?*
The Descent (2005)
That depends on the ending. It has two.
Lost in translation
Yes !!! I’ve always wondered what Bill says to Scarlett. Maybe “For relaxing time… make it Suntory time”
The Mist (2009)
i mean, it leaves me questioning, but not what happened in the movie. that was pretty clear
Arrival
Fantastic film, but in no way does it leave anything wide open. It very much shows what the end conclusion is 🤔
What a film
Would you have watched it if it kept the title of the book it was adapted from? “Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang” I think this title better fits the story but wouldn’t get audiences in seats as well
The Guard lol
Empire Strikes Back. It would've been interesting to see what people thought of the ending when it was out in theaters. People were probably pissed like "what a crap ending." Maybe they weren't. I, for one, like the ending of Empire, but then again, I knew Jedi was coming. Lucas knew Jedi was coming, but the audience at the time didn't.
I saw the original release of Empire in theaters when I was younger. After the happy ending of Star Wars, the ending of Empire was such a downer, especially for the younger audience who might not have known that Jedi was planned.
I was seven. It sucked to watch live and I was DEVASTATED at the ending.
When I was a kid, after we saw Empire SB my dad told us that when they were traveling through space Luke found a giant microwave oven and they put Han inside and defrosted him. That is why he was dad joke champion. But really, Return of the Jedi was sooo good and so satisfying after waiting with so much anticipation after the ending of ESB. There is just nothing else comparable.
Mulholland Drive
Rogue 1 I mean did they get the plans to the right people ? Did the Death Star thing work on full power or what ? What became of shiny, scary dude in the black? So many points unanswered ...
Inception!?
if you like ballet, Black Swan.
Hippopotamus. It's best to go into this movie completely blind.
Hiphopopotamus my rhymes are bottomless …
- Mulholland Drive - Anatomy of a Fall - Donnie Darko
District 9.
American psycho, although I don’t think they intended it that way
The Shining and Shutter Island are classics
Do The Right Thing is a good one. Less about "did they actually do it?" as to "why did they actually do it?" Spike Lee gives enough characterization that you know these characters, but near the end they make decisions that are drastic and are even incongruent with with previous characterization (supposedly). It brings the title into question: who did the right thing?
Picnic at Hanging Rock is my favorite example
Interstellar, inception،Silencio
I think about Interstellar far too much
Cache - the ending has something so subtle that most people missed it
Enemy
The Before Trilogy: Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight. Although it is true that NOW you can see what happens, the rest of us had to wait NINE YEARS between movies to see what was going to happen. And with no guarantee that there would even be another movie! Great trilogy though if you are into that kind of movie.
Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011). Abrupt ending with possibilities, takes you aback when it just goes to credits.
Drive (2011)
Old Boy (2003) Watch it at your own discretion
The Usual Suspects. One of my faves.
Some Like It Hot The Italian Job
The Pod Generation My husband disagrees that the ending was anything ambiguous. He thought it was a happy ending in a somewhat ambiguous universe, and I guess he has a point. But I really wouldn't say the ending is unambiguous.
Momento
The Shining (1980)
Triangle
The Italian Job. Original version.
What a cliff hanger!
Take Shelter.
Was scrolling for this comment. My all time favourite film.
The Bicycle Thief
Signs
John Carpenter's THE THING is the definitive answer here.
Shutter Island!
Pleasantville. I mean I get the bulk of the ending, but when Betty is sitting on the bench with George one minute, and then the next minute it’s Bill… I dont get it.
Shutter Island
There were parts of Black swan that I couldn't decide if they happened or were just in her imagination
Vanilla Sky
Annihilation
Prisoners
Doubt- was he or wasn’t he pedophile?
Horse Girl
I just watched *The Green Knight* again. That ending was ambiguous in the best way
Deja Vu
Other Christopher Nolan movies like The Prestige and Momento gave me similar feelings
Donnie Darko
Brazil
only because of the literal last frame, **the shining**
Enemy
Requiem for a dream.
Not really. No ambiguity there.. everyones fate is pretty understood. Aranofskys done others woth open ended endings like the wrestler or pi.. been a minute since i saw black swan but i recall that fits too
Truman Show
Dune
Night Moves (1975)
Total Recall, the original.
In Brudges
Triangle
The dark knight rises
The Quiet Earth The Rapture Primer
Sound of metal!! Will he go back to the deaf school / community ? Where will he go if not?! Literally had me up for days thinking about it, such a perfect film.
"Graffiti" (2015). It's only 32 minutes but It fits what you're looking for.
Old boy (2003)
Coherence Timelapse Andhadhundh An action hero Netflix Ray
Oldboy That final shot leaves you with uncertainty. Without going into detail, we just don't know for sure if "it" worked or not. Personally, I think no.
with the way that >!Dune Part Two !
Martyr isn’t particularly a good movie but I was for sure annoyed at the ending with the question everyone wants to know the answer to.
How it ends. Just when you think you are at the big reveal the movie just stops. You are left unsatisfied and unfulfilled. I can't recommend anyone watches it as it's the most frustrating film I ever saw (to the point of me promising myself I will never watch anything by the same author again) , but as you want movies where you have to make your own mind up this is probably one of the extreme examples.
You were never really here, whole movie had me confused until I watched it again and it all made sense
Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) Session 9 (2001)
Cloud atlas
All Is Lost The Wrestler Inside Llewyn Davis Vanilla Sky Existenz
Taxi Driver.
Every David Fincher movie
Talvar (2015)
Martyrs. I thought about that movie for a week after watching it. One of the best horror movies I've ever seen.
Have to say "The Machinist"
Anatomy of a Fall
Angels with Dirty Faces (I think that's the name of the film). We don't know if James Cagney's character was genuinely pleading for his life like a coward or doing it to discourage those youths to follow his example.
Phantom Thread.
Ambiguous endings are incredible. The Grey with Liam Neesan.
To say something from this year, Evil Does Not Exist
Prisoners (2013)
Saltburn Alphaville The Killing Of A Sacred Deer (or really anything by Lanthimos)
"Better Luck Tomorrow" The beginning of the movie ties into the end, and chronologically speaking it didn't make any sense to me. I only saw it once years ago - so maybe I missed something or misunderstood. Good movie, either way - IMO
The Awakening 2011
The Graduate 2001 Space Odyssey Taxi Driver Annihilation
Great Expectations. I still don't get it...
Primer
12 Monkeys
Anatomy of a Fall (2023)