Extortion (2017) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The 2017 thriller Extortion follows a desperate father, Kevin Riley (played by Eion Bailey), who resorts to extreme measures to save his family after a boating accident leaves them stranded in the Caribbean. The ending sees Kevin successfully rescuing his wife and son by outsmarting and killing the corrupt local cop, Officer Cordero (Barkhad Abdi), who had been extorting him. The film concludes with Kevin and his family escaping the island, but not without lingering trauma and moral ambiguity. The finale leaves viewers questioning the cost of survival and the ethical boundaries crossed in the name of family.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The climax of Extortion is a tense, high-stakes showdown between Kevin and Cordero, the corrupt police officer who has been manipulating Kevin for money. After enduring physical and psychological torture, Kevin finally turns the tables on Cordero by using his wits and the harsh environment to his advantage. In a brutal confrontation, Kevin manages to overpower Cordero, ultimately killing him in self-defense. This moment is cathartic but also unsettling, as it forces the audience to grapple with the moral implications of Kevin's actions. While he saves his family, he does so by committing murder, blurring the line between hero and villain.
The final scenes show Kevin reuniting with his wife, Julie (Sara Fletcher), and their son, Danny (Danny Glover), who had been held hostage by Cordero's associates. The family escapes the island on a boat, but the emotional toll of their ordeal is evident. The film doesn't shy away from showing the psychological scars left by the events, particularly on Kevin, who stares blankly into the distance as they sail away. This ambiguous ending suggests that while they may have physically survived, the trauma will haunt them indefinitely. The movie leaves it open-ended whether Kevin will ever find peace or if his actions will continue to weigh on his conscience.
One of the most compelling aspects of the ending is its exploration of desperation and moral compromise. Kevin starts the film as a sympathetic everyman, but his journey forces him to make increasingly dark choices. By the end, he's shed his innocence and become someone capable of violence. The film doesn't judge him outright but instead presents his actions as a grim necessity. This gray morality is a hallmark of the thriller genre, and Extortion leans into it heavily, leaving the audience to decide whether Kevin's actions were justified or if he crossed an unforgivable line.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. What happens to Kevin and his family after they escape?
- They return home but struggle with PTSD and guilt.
- Kevin might face legal consequences if the authorities investigate Cordero's death.
- The family could grow stronger from the ordeal or fracture under the stress.
Was Cordero working alone, or is there a larger network of corruption?
- Cordero might have been a lone wolf, exploiting tourists for personal gain.
- Alternatively, he could be part of a broader system of corruption, meaning others might seek revenge.
How does Kevin reconcile with his actions?
- He might rationalize it as survival, burying the guilt.
- Alternatively, he could spiral into self-destructive behavior, unable to cope.
Personal Opinion on the Ending and the Film:
The ending of Extortion is effective in its rawness and refusal to provide easy answers. While some might crave a more neatly resolved conclusion, the ambiguity serves the film's themes of moral ambiguity and the cost of survival. Eion Bailey delivers a compelling performance as Kevin, making his transformation believable and heartbreaking. However, the film's pacing and some logical inconsistencies (like how easily Cordero's associates are dispatched) can detract from the tension. Overall, Extortion is a solid thriller with a gripping finale, but it doesn't quite reach the heights of similar survival films like The Shallows or 127 Hours. The ending lingers in your mind, though, thanks to its unflinching look at how far a person will go for their family.