The Good Mother (2023) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The Good Mother (2023) is a psychological thriller about Marissa Bennings (Hilary Swank), a journalist investigating her son's murder while grappling with addiction and family secrets. The ending reveals that her estranged son, Toby, was killed by her other son, Michael, who was protecting their mother from Toby's violent tendencies. Marissa ultimately covers up Michael's crime, choosing family loyalty over justice. The film concludes with her relapsing into addiction, symbolizing her inability to escape her tragic past. The ambiguous final shot leaves viewers questioning whether she'll ever find redemption or succumb to her demons.
Detailed Ending Explanation
The climax of The Good Mother unravels as Marissa Bennings, a recovering alcoholic and grieving mother, uncovers the horrifying truth about her son Toby's death. Throughout the film, she navigates a web of lies, addiction, and trauma while investigating Toby's murder in their small, decaying hometown. The final act reveals that Toby was killed by his own brother, Michael, in a fit of rage after Toby attacked their mother during a drunken altercation. Michael confesses that he acted to protect her, forcing Marissa into an impossible moral dilemma: turn in her surviving son or bury the truth.
In a devastating turn, Marissa chooses family over justice, disposing of evidence and manipulating the investigation to shield Michael. This decision mirrors her lifelong pattern of enabling dysfunction-her addiction, her fractured relationships, and now her son's crime. The film's closing scenes show her alone, drinking again, suggesting that the weight of her choices has broken her. The final shot lingers on her hollow expression, leaving her fate ambiguous. Has she accepted her role in the cycle of violence, or is this the beginning of her final surrender to self-destruction?
Unresolved Questions & Theories
Did Marissa make the right choice by protecting Michael?
- Possible Answer: No-her decision perpetuates the family's cycle of violence and denial.
- Possible Answer: Yes-as a mother, her instinct to protect her child overrides societal justice.
Will Marissa ever recover from her relapse?
- Possible Answer: No-the ending implies she's too far gone, consumed by guilt and addiction.
- Possible Answer: Maybe-her resilience throughout the film suggests she could claw her way back.
Was Toby truly a threat, or was Michael's killing unjustified?
- Possible Answer: Toby's violent outbursts (shown in flashbacks) support Michael's claim of self-defense.
- Possible Answer: Michael may have exaggerated the danger to justify his actions.
What does the ending say about motherhood?
- Possible Answer: It critiques the idea of unconditional love, showing how it can enable harm.
- Possible Answer: It portrays motherhood as inherently sacrificial, even when morally fraught.
Personal Opinion on the Ending
The conclusion of The Good Mother is bleak but thematically resonant. By having Marissa relapse and abandon justice, the film underscores how trauma and addiction are intergenerational curses. Her choice to protect Michael is both heartbreaking and infuriating-it feels inevitable yet morally compromising. Hilary Swank's raw performance sells the tragedy, but the ending's ambiguity might frustrate viewers seeking closure. While some may argue the film leans too heavily into despair, I found its refusal to offer easy answers refreshing. It's a stark reminder that not all stories have redemptive arcs-sometimes, the cycle just continues.
Final Thoughts on the Film
The Good Mother is a grim, character-driven thriller that explores addiction, guilt, and the lengths a parent will go for their child. The ending is deliberately unresolved, forcing viewers to sit with Marissa's moral failure and question what they'd do in her place. While the pacing drags at times, the emotional payoff is powerful. If you appreciate dark, morally complex dramas, this film delivers-but don't expect catharsis. It's a story about losing battles, not winning them.