Arbitrage (2012) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of Arbitrage (2012) is a morally ambiguous conclusion that leaves the protagonist, Robert Miller (Richard Gere), unscathed despite his financial fraud and involvement in a fatal accident. After manipulating his way out of legal consequences, Miller secures a lucrative deal to save his company, while the detective investigating him is silenced. The film ends with Miller's daughter discovering his infidelity, hinting at personal fallout but no real justice. The finale underscores themes of wealth, power, and the impunity of the elite, leaving viewers to ponder whether Miller's success is a triumph or a condemnation of systemic corruption.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
Arbitrage concludes with Robert Miller, a billionaire hedge fund manager, successfully evading accountability for both his financial crimes and the accidental death of his mistress, Julie. Throughout the film, Miller juggles a Ponzi scheme to cover his company's losses and a cover-up of Julie's car crash, which he frames as a suicide. The final scenes see Miller securing a $412 million buyout from a rival tycoon, effectively saving his empire. Meanwhile, Detective Bryer (Tim Roth), who suspects Miller's involvement in Julie's death, is pressured to drop the case after Miller's lawyer exposes Bryer's own ethical lapses. The film's last shot shows Miller's daughter, Brooke (Brit Marling), finding Julie's earring in his apartment, realizing his infidelity and perhaps his darker secrets.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. Will Robert Miller ever face justice?
- Unlikely: The system protects him, as wealth and influence insulate him from consequences.
- Possibly later: Brooke's discovery could lead her to expose him, though the film suggests she may stay silent to protect the family.
2. What does Brooke's discovery mean for their relationship?
- She confronts him: This could fracture their bond, but Miller's manipulative skills might prevail.
- She remains complicit: Her prior financial ethics clash with her loyalty, leaving her morally compromised.
3. Is Detective Bryer's defeat symbolic?
- Yes: It reflects how power corrupts and justice is often outmatched by money.
- No: Bryer's own flaws make him an imperfect avenger, muddying the moral message.
Themes and Symbolism:
The ending reinforces the film's central themes: the illusion of control and the cost of moral compromise. Miller's survival isn't a victory but a hollow perpetuation of his lies. The title Arbitrage—a financial term for exploiting price differences-mirrors Miller's ability to “arbitrage” truth, leveraging loopholes in both law and morality. The earring Brooke finds symbolizes the fragility of his façade; while he escapes legally, his personal life may unravel. The film critiques a world where wealth buys absolution, leaving audiences to question whether Miller's fate is a indictment of capitalism or a cynical acceptance of its realities.
Personal Opinion:
Arbitrage's ending is brilliantly unsettling, refusing to offer catharsis. Richard Gere's portrayal of Miller as a charismatic yet despicable figure makes his evasion of justice frustrating yet believable. The lack of resolution feels authentic to the film's gritty realism-justice is rarely served to the powerful. However, the emotional punch comes from Brooke's silent realization, which suggests that while money can buy freedom, it can't repair trust. The film's strength lies in its ambiguity, though some may find the open-endedness unsatisfying. Ultimately, Arbitrage is a sharp commentary on privilege, leaving viewers to grapple with their own complicity in systems that enable such men.
Final Thoughts:
The ending of Arbitrage lingers precisely because it denies easy answers. Miller's survival isn't triumphant but tragic, a reminder of how systemic inequities protect the elite. Brooke's discovery hints at a personal reckoning, but the film's true power is in its indictment of a world where accountability is negotiable. Whether you see Miller as a villain or a product of his environment, the finale challenges audiences to reflect on the price of unchecked ambition-and who really pays it.