Anna Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of Anna (2019), directed by Luc Besson, reveals that the titular character, a Russian assassin working for the KGB, has been playing both sides-the KGB and the CIA-throughout the film. After faking her death, she escapes to live a free life, leaving her handlers and lovers behind. The twist-heavy finale confirms Anna's ultimate control over her destiny, showcasing her intelligence and ruthlessness. However, the film leaves questions about her true loyalties, the fate of her relationships, and whether she will ever be truly free from her past.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of Anna is a masterclass in deception, mirroring the film's nonlinear storytelling. Anna (Sasha Luss), a former model turned lethal assassin, has been manipulated by the KGB and the CIA, but she outsmarts both agencies. The final act reveals that Anna's entire journey-her recruitment, missions, and romantic entanglements-was part of a long con to secure her freedom. After faking her own death (a recurring theme in the film), she disappears, leaving her KGB handler Olga (Helen Mirren) and CIA contact Lenny (Cillian Murphy) bewildered. The last scene shows Anna enjoying her newfound liberty on a tropical beach, symbolizing her escape from the spy world's constraints.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- Did Anna ever truly love Alex or was their relationship purely strategic?
- Possible Answer: While she seemed to care for Alex (Luke Evans), her primary goal was survival, suggesting her affection was partly performative.
- Will Olga or Lenny ever track her down?
- Possible Answer: Unlikely, given Anna's meticulous planning, but the spy world is unpredictable.
- Is Anna's freedom permanent, or will she be drawn back into espionage?
- Possible Answer: The film hints at her desire for a clean break, but her skills make her a perpetual target.
- Why did the KGB and CIA trust her so easily?
- Possible Answer: Her vulnerability (a troubled past) was a carefully constructed facade to lower their guards.
- What was the significance of the chess motif?
- Possible Answer: It symbolizes Anna's strategic mind, always thinking several moves ahead.
Themes of Control and Freedom
The ending reinforces the film's central theme: agency in a world that seeks to control women. Anna's final act of defiance-choosing her own path-subverts the trope of female spies as pawns. Her escape is not just physical but existential; she rejects the labels of "asset," "lover," or "victim" to reclaim her identity. The beach setting contrasts sharply with the cold, oppressive backdrops of her missions, emphasizing her transition from a weaponized object to a self-determined individual.
Narrative Structure and Twists
Anna employs a fractured timeline to keep viewers guessing, and the ending ties these threads together. The revelation that Anna orchestrated her own "death" twice-first to leave the KGB, then the CIA-showcases her brilliance. The nonlinear storytelling mirrors her layered deceptions, making the audience question every interaction. The final twist-that her entire arc was a calculated play for freedom-retroactively reframes earlier scenes, rewarding attentive viewers.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
While Anna borrows heavily from La Femme Nikita and Red Sparrow, its ending is satisfyingly audacious. Sasha Luss delivers a compelling performance, balancing vulnerability and ferocity. However, the film's reliance on twists sometimes overshadows character depth. The ending works because it stays true to Anna's ruthless pragmatism, but it might leave some viewers craving more emotional closure, particularly regarding her relationships. Overall, Anna is an entertaining, if uneven, spy thriller with a finale that celebrates cunning over sentimentality.
Final Thought: Anna's ending is a testament to her resilience, but it also leaves room for speculation-will she ever stop running, or is freedom just another illusion?