American Assassin (2017) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
American Assassin (2017) follows Mitch Rapp (Dylan O'Brien), a CIA black ops recruit seeking revenge for his fiancée's death in a terrorist attack. The film culminates in a high-stakes mission to stop a rogue former U.S. operative, Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton), and a nuclear threat. The ending sees Rapp confronting the mastermind, a double agent named Ghost (Taylor Kitsch), in a brutal showdown. Rapp kills Ghost, averting nuclear disaster, but the victory is bittersweet-he's left grappling with his thirst for vengeance and the moral cost of his actions. The film leaves room for sequels, hinting at Rapp's future as a hardened operative.
Detailed Ending Explanation
The climax of American Assassin unfolds as Mitch Rapp and his mentor, Stan Hurley, race to prevent Ghost-a disavowed former CIA operative-from detonating a stolen nuclear weapon. Ghost, who has a personal vendetta against Hurley and the U.S. government, plans to frame Iran for the attack, sparking global conflict. The final act takes place on a naval ship where Ghost has assembled the bomb. After a fierce battle, Hurley sacrifices himself to stop Ghost, allowing Rapp to engage in a brutal hand-to-hand fight. Rapp ultimately kills Ghost by drowning him, but not before Ghost taunts him about becoming just like him-a killer consumed by revenge.
Themes and Character Arcs
The ending reinforces the film's central theme: the cyclical nature of violence and the moral ambiguity of counterterrorism. Rapp begins the film as a grieving civilian radicalized by loss, and by the end, he's a lethal operative who has crossed moral lines. His final confrontation with Ghost serves as a dark mirror - Ghost was once like Rapp, a patriot turned rogue by betrayal. The film questions whether Rapp can avoid the same fate. His victory is hollow; he saves the day but loses Hurley, the closest thing he had to a father figure, and is left questioning his own humanity.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- Will Rapp continue working for the CIA, or will he go rogue?
- Possible Answer: Given his skills and rage, he might operate outside official channels in future installments.
- What was Ghost's full backstory?
- Possible Answer: Deleted scenes or sequels could explore his radicalization further.
- How will Rapp cope with Hurley's death?
- Possible Answer: He may struggle with guilt, leading to riskier behavior in future missions.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
American Assassin delivers a gritty, action-packed finale, but its emotional weight comes from Rapp's internal conflict. The film doesn't shy away from showing the psychological toll of vengeance, making it more than just a standard spy thriller. However, some character motivations (like Ghost's extremism) feel underexplored. O'Brien's performance sells Rapp's torment, but the script could have delved deeper into the moral dilemmas. The ending sets up potential sequels effectively, leaving Rapp at a crossroads-will he become a hero or a monster? It's a compelling hook, but the film's middle act sags with predictable tropes.
Final Verdict
While American Assassin isn't groundbreaking, its ending succeeds in blending visceral action with thematic depth. Rapp's journey from victim to assassin is engaging, and the finale's ambiguity about his future adds intrigue. Fans of the book series may crave more complexity, but as a standalone action film, it delivers a satisfying, if somewhat conventional, conclusion. The door is left open for Rapp's evolution-will he embrace his role as a weapon, or reclaim his humanity? That unanswered question lingers long after the credits roll.