TÃR (2022) Ending Explained
tl;dr: The ending of Tár (2022) is a deliberately ambiguous and unsettling conclusion to the downfall of Lydia Tár, a renowned composer-conductor whose career collapses due to allegations of abuse and manipulation. After losing her position, reputation, and sense of identity, she is reduced to conducting a low-rent Monster Hunter video game soundtrack in Southeast Asia, symbolizing her complete fall from grace. The film leaves unanswered whether she is truly guilty of the accusations or a victim of cancel culture, forcing viewers to grapple with power, accountability, and the nature of artistic genius.
Detailed Breakdown of the Ending
The final act of Tár follows Lydia Tár's (Cate Blanchett) unraveling as her carefully constructed world implodes. After being accused of exploiting her power over young female musicians-particularly Krista, a former protégé who dies by suicide - Lydia faces public disgrace, professional exile, and personal humiliation. She lashes out violently at a fellow conductor, flees to her childhood home in Berlin, and eventually resurfaces in an unnamed Southeast Asian country, where she is reduced to conducting an orchestra for a Monster Hunter-style video game. The final shot lingers on her face as she listens to the music, her expression inscrutable-whether resigned, contemplative, or plotting a comeback is left open.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Interpretations
- Was Lydia Tár actually guilty of the accusations?
- Yes: The film subtly implies she manipulated Krista and others, evidenced by deleted emails and her controlling behavior.
- No: Some argue the accusations are exaggerated or weaponized by those seeking to destroy her.
- What does the Monster Hunter gig symbolize?
- A humiliating fall from high art to commercial triviality.
- A twisted rebirth-music is still her refuge, even in disgrace.
- Is the ending a condemnation or a redemption?
- Condemnation: She's stripped of her power but never truly remorseful.
- Ambiguous redemption: The focus on her listening suggests a return to pure artistry, away from ego.
Themes of Power, Art, and Accountability
The film interrogates whether genius excuses moral failings-a theme mirrored in real-life controversies around figures like Woody Allen or James Levine. Lydia's downfall isn't just about #MeToo; it's about the corrupting nature of power in insular, hierarchical worlds like classical music. The ending refuses catharsis: there's no confession, no clear justice, just a brilliant woman reduced to a shadow of herself. The Monster Hunter scene underscores how art and commerce are entangled-even at her lowest, Lydia is still a conduit for music, albeit in a debased form.
Personal Opinion on the Ending
The ending is a masterstroke of ambiguity. Blanchett's performance makes Lydia simultaneously monstrous and sympathetic-you're repelled by her arrogance but fascinated by her artistry. The lack of resolution feels true to life; real scandals rarely have tidy morals. I admire how the film resists villainizing or vindicating her, instead forcing the audience to sit with discomfort. The Monster Hunter detail is darkly hilarious yet tragic-a perfect metaphor for how culture discards its idols. However, some may find the pacing too glacial or the ambiguity frustrating.
Final Thoughts
Tár's ending lingers like a dissonant chord. It doesn't provide answers but asks uncomfortable questions about complicity, legacy, and whether art can-or should-be separated from the artist. The film's genius lies in its refusal to simplify Lydia's complexity. Whether you see her as a predator, a casualty of cancel culture, or both, the ending ensures you'll keep debating long after the credits roll.
Unresolved Questions List:
1. Did Lydia abuse Krista?
- Clues suggest yes (deleted emails, Olga's discomfort).
- Or was Krista unstable, and Lydia unfairly scapegoated?
2. What was the metronome's significance in the final scene?
- A reminder of time running out?
- A symbol of control slipping away?
3. Why does the film include surreal elements (e.g., the scream, the stray dog)?
- Lydia's psychological unraveling.
- Supernatural karma haunting her.
Personal Rating: 9/10. A challenging, brilliantly acted film with an ending that refuses easy answers.