Cruising (1980) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of Cruising (1980), directed by William Friedkin, is deliberately ambiguous and unsettling, leaving viewers to question the protagonist's psychological transformation and the true nature of the murders he investigates. Undercover cop Steve Burns (Al Pacino) infiltrates New York's underground gay S&M scene to catch a serial killer targeting gay men. By the film's conclusion, Burns appears to have absorbed the violent tendencies of the killer, blurring the line between hunter and prey. The final scene, where Burns coldly stares at his girlfriend while wearing a leather outfit similar to the killer's, suggests he may have become what he was hunting-or that the killer's identity remains unresolved.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of Crueling hinges on psychological ambiguity. After Burns kills a suspect (who may or may not be the real killer), he returns to his girlfriend, Nancy (Karen Allen), but behaves eerily detached. The final shot lingers on Burns as he gazes at Nancy with an unsettling, almost predatory expression, while wearing leather gear reminiscent of the killer. This visual parallel implies that Burns has either been psychologically corrupted by his undercover work or that he was the killer all along. The film refuses to provide a clear answer, instead forcing the audience to grapple with the moral and psychological decay that comes from immersing oneself in violence.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- Did Steve Burns become the killer?
- Possibility 1: Yes-his immersion in the S&M world awakened latent violent tendencies.
- Possibility 2: No-he's just traumatized by the case and unable to readjust to normal life.
- Was the killer ever caught?
- Possibility 1: The man Burns killed was the real killer, but Burns is now replicating his crimes.
- Possibility 2: The killer is still at large, and Burns' transformation is a red herring.
- What does the final stare mean?
- Possibility 1: It foreshadows Burns turning violent toward Nancy.
- Possibility 2: It's a reflection of his fractured identity, unable to separate his undercover persona from his real self.
Themes & Symbolism
Crueling is less about solving a murder mystery and more about the psychological toll of undercover work. The film's ending reinforces themes of identity erosion, suggesting that prolonged exposure to darkness can consume a person. The leather outfit Burns wears in the final scene symbolizes his assimilation into the world he was supposed to police. Friedkin deliberately avoids closure, making the audience question whether Burns was always capable of violence or if the environment reshaped him. This ambiguity aligns with the film's exploration of repression, desire, and the thin line between lawman and criminal.
Critical Reception & Controversy
Upon release, Crueling was met with backlash from LGBTQ+ communities for its perceived demonization of gay subcultures. The ending's ambiguity only fueled debates-was it a commentary on police brutality and psychological unraveling, or was it reinforcing harmful stereotypes? Friedkin maintained that the film was about obsession and duality, not a condemnation of sexuality. Over time, Crueling has gained a cult following for its atmospheric tension and Pacino's intense performance, though its ending remains divisive. Some see it as a bold, unsettling conclusion, while others argue it's needlessly opaque.
Personal Opinion
I find Crueling's ending both brilliant and frustrating. The deliberate lack of resolution is effective in making the audience uncomfortable, but it also feels like a cop-out in terms of narrative payoff. Pacino's performance is mesmerizing, and the final scene lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. However, the film's handling of its LGBTQ+ themes hasn't aged well, and the ending's ambiguity sometimes feels more like confusion than artistry. Still, as a psychological thriller, it succeeds in leaving a disturbing impression-one that forces viewers to question how much of ourselves we sacrifice when we step into darkness.
Would I recommend it? Yes, but with major caveats. It's a challenging, morally complex film that demands engagement, even if its execution is flawed. The ending, while controversial, ensures Crueling sticks with you-whether you like it or not.