May December (2023) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of May December (2023) leaves viewers with a haunting ambiguity, as the film's central characters - Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles Melton)—grapple with the lingering consequences of their scandalous relationship, which began when Joe was a minor. The finale underscores the cyclical nature of trauma and manipulation, with Gracie's facade of normalcy crumbling and Joe's suppressed emotions finally surfacing. The film concludes without clear resolution, forcing the audience to sit with the discomfort of unanswered questions about power, consent, and the performative nature of relationships.
The Ending Explained
The climax of May December hinges on a tense confrontation between Gracie and Joe, where the latter begins to question the foundation of their relationship. Throughout the film, Joe has been portrayed as emotionally stunted, having never fully processed the grooming and statutory rape that defined his youth. In the final act, he finally vocalizes his repressed anger and confusion, while Gracie deflects and gaslights him, reinforcing her control. The scene is devastating in its realism, showing how victims of abuse often struggle to break free even as adults. The film's title itself-referencing the taboo age gap-hints at the imbalance that persists beneath their seemingly stable marriage.
The ending is deliberately unresolved, leaving Joe's future ambiguous. Does he stay with Gracie out of habit, fear, or twisted loyalty? Or does he finally leave, only to face the daunting task of rebuilding his identity? Meanwhile, Gracie's performative victimhood-a theme woven throughout the film-reaches its peak as she weaponizes tears and fragility to maintain dominance. Director Todd Haynes refuses to offer catharsis, instead emphasizing how societal complicity (through tabloid fascination and casual dismissal) enables such relationships to persist. The final shot lingers on Joe's face, his expression unreadable, symbolizing the paralysis of trauma.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- Does Joe ever truly break free from Gracie's influence?
- Possibility 1: No-the cycle of abuse is too ingrained.
- Possibility 2: Yes, but at great personal cost, as he must confront years of lost autonomy.
- Is Gracie aware of the harm she's caused, or does she genuinely believe her own narrative?
- Possibility 1: She's a calculated manipulator who rewrites history to suit her needs.
- Possibility 2: She's delusional, having convinced herself she "saved" Joe.
- How does their family (particularly their children) perceive the truth?
- Possibility 1: They're complicit in the denial, having been raised to normalize dysfunction.
- Possibility 2: They harbor silent resentment, waiting for someone to acknowledge the reality.
Personal Opinion
May December is a masterclass in discomfort, refusing to offer easy answers or redemption. Julianne Moore delivers a chilling performance as Gracie, embodying the banality of evil-her cruelty masked by suburban propriety. Charles Melton's Joe is heartbreaking, his physical stature contrasting with his emotional fragility. The ending's lack of closure is frustrating but necessary; real-life abuses rarely wrap up neatly. Haynes forces us to sit with the messiness, implicating the audience in our voyeuristic fascination with such scandals. It's a film that lingers, demanding reflection on power, memory, and who gets to control the narrative.
Final Thoughts
The film's brilliance lies in its refusal to villainize or vindicate entirely. Gracie is monstrous, yet pitiable; Joe is victimized, yet complicit in his own stagnation. The ending mirrors life's unresolved tensions, leaving viewers to grapple with their own interpretations. By denying a tidy conclusion, May December becomes a provocative commentary on how society sensationalizes and then forgets victims, moving on to the next scandal without ever addressing systemic issues. It's a movie that haunts you, precisely because it doesn't let anyone-characters or audience-off the hook.