Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Ending Explained
tl;dr:
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), directed by Steven Spielberg, culminates in a breathtaking encounter between humans and extraterrestrials at Devil's Tower, Wyoming. After weeks of obsession triggered by a UFO sighting, Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) and Jillian Guiler (Melinda Dillon) join a select group of humans chosen to board the alien mothership. The film ends with the aliens peacefully communicating through music and light, returning previously abducted humans (including Jillian's son, Barry) before inviting Roy and others to join them on an interstellar journey. The ending is a hopeful, awe-inspiring vision of first contact, emphasizing wonder over fear and humanity's place in a vast, mysterious universe.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of Close Encounters of the Third Kind unfolds at Devil's Tower, where a massive government cover-up is revealed to be preparation for an extraterrestrial rendezvous. The military, led by French scientist Claude Lacombe (François Truffaut), has been decoding the aliens' musical signals, which serve as a universal language. Roy, Jillian, and others who've been psychically "imprinted" with the image of Devil's Tower evade military barricades to reach the site. The aliens' arrival is heralded by a dazzling light show and the now-iconic five-note musical motif. The mothership lands, dwarfing the humans, and the aliens emerge-first as shadowy figures, then as graceful, childlike beings.
One of the most emotional moments comes when abducted humans, including Jillian's son Barry, are returned unharmed, suggesting the aliens' benign intentions. The returned abductees appear unchanged, hinting that time may work differently for the aliens or that they've preserved the humans in stasis. The film's central theme-communication—reaches its peak as Lacombe and his team use a synthesizer to "speak" to the aliens through music, culminating in a shared exchange of the five-note sequence. This moment underscores Spielberg's belief in unity and transcendence beyond language.
Roy's arc concludes with him voluntarily boarding the mothership, joining a group of humans chosen for an unknown journey. His decision reflects his transformation from a confused everyman to someone who embraces the unknown. The film doesn't clarify whether he'll return, leaving his fate open-ended. The aliens, meanwhile, are portrayed as benevolent explorers, a stark contrast to the hostile invaders typical of sci-fi at the time. Their ship's departure-a soaring, luminous ascent-leaves the audience with a sense of awe and possibility.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers
- Why were Roy and the others chosen to board the ship?
- Possible answer: They possessed a unique openness or psychic sensitivity to the aliens' signals.
- Alternative: The aliens selected individuals who could adapt to interstellar travel.
- What happened to the humans taken in previous abductions (like Barry)?
- Possible answer: They were studied or taught, as implied by Barry's lack of aging.
- Alternative: They were part of an exchange program to foster interspecies understanding.
- Will Roy ever return to Earth?
- Possible answer: No-his journey is a one-way trip to a higher plane of existence.
- Alternative: He may return decades later, unchanged, like the other abductees.
- What was the purpose of the musical communication?
- Possible answer: Music is a universal language that transcends human linguistics.
- Alternative: The tones were coordinates or a test of humanity's ability to learn.
Personal Opinion on the Ending and the Film
Spielberg's Close Encounters is a masterpiece of optimistic sci-fi, and its ending remains one of cinema's most uplifting resolutions. Unlike darker alien-contact stories, it embraces wonder and curiosity, suggesting that the universe is filled with kindred spirits rather than threats. Roy's departure is bittersweet-he leaves his family behind, but his choice feels like the fulfillment of a deeper calling. The visuals (especially the mothership's blinding light) and John Williams' score elevate the finale to a spiritual crescendo.
That said, the film's pacing and Roy's escalating obsession may frustrate some viewers. His single-mindedness borders on reckless, and the subplot with his abandoned family isn't fully resolved. Yet, these flaws are minor compared to the film's grandeur. The ending's ambiguity - Is Roy a hero or a deserter? Are the angels or scientists?—adds richness. Close Encounters isn't just about aliens; it's about the human desire to reach beyond our limits. Decades later, its message of hope and exploration still resonates.
Final Thought:
The film's closing image-the mothership disappearing into the stars-leaves us with a quiet awe. In a genre often dominated by fear, Close Encounters dares to imagine first contact as a moment of unity, scored to a melody that lingers long after the credits roll.