Get Out (2017) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of Get Out sees Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya) escaping the clutches of the Armitage family, who have been kidnapping Black people to transplant the brains of wealthy white individuals into their bodies. After a brutal showdown, Chris kills Rose Armitage (Allison Williams), the last surviving family member, and is rescued by his friend Rod (Lil Rel Howery). The film concludes with Chris surviving, but the trauma lingers, leaving viewers to ponder the broader themes of systemic racism, exploitation, and the commodification of Black bodies.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The climax of Get Out unfolds in a harrowing sequence where Chris, having been hypnotized and prepped for a brain transplant, manages to break free using the cotton stuffing from the chair he's restrained in-a symbolic nod to the history of Black labor and exploitation. He kills Rose's father, Dean, and brother, Jeremy, in self-defense, but Rose, revealed as the mastermind behind the scheme, shoots Chris's friend Andre (aka "Logan King") before turning the gun on Chris. A struggle ensues, and Chris ultimately strangles Rose to death with the very cotton that once symbolized his oppression. The film's final moments show Chris being rescued by Rod, his TSA friend, who arrives just in time to save him from being framed for the murders.
The ending is a cathartic yet unsettling victory. Chris survives, but the psychological scars of his ordeal are palpable. The film doesn't offer a neat resolution; instead, it leaves viewers with a sense of lingering dread. The Armitage family's operation is destroyed, but the broader system they represent-one that commodifies Black bodies-remains intact. This ambiguity underscores the film's central theme: racism isn't just overt violence but a deeply entrenched, systemic evil that persists even after individual battles are won.
Unresolved Questions:
1. What happens to the other victims like Andre/Logan King?
- Andre's fate is left ambiguous, but it's implied he's beyond saving, as the transplant process seems irreversible.
- Alternatively, the film suggests that the "sunken place" is a permanent state, meaning Andre's original consciousness is lost forever.
How widespread is the Armitages' operation?
- The auction scene implies a network of wealthy buyers, suggesting this is a larger conspiracy.
- The presence of other "hosts" at the party hints that the Armitages are just one node in a broader, underground system.
Will Chris ever recover from his trauma?
- The final shot of Chris staring into the distance suggests his ordeal will haunt him indefinitely.
- Rod's presence offers hope, but the film leans into the idea that trauma, especially racial trauma, isn't easily overcome.
Personal Opinion:
Get Out is a masterclass in social horror, and its ending is both satisfying and deeply unsettling. Jordan Peele delivers a finale that feels earned yet refuses to sugarcoat the realities of racism. Chris's survival is a triumph, but the film's brilliance lies in its refusal to offer a tidy resolution. The lingering dread-the sense that the Armitages are just one manifestation of a larger evil-makes the horror resonate long after the credits roll. The ending's ambiguity is intentional, forcing viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about systemic racism. It's a bold, thought-provoking conclusion that cements Get Out as a modern horror classic.
Final Thoughts:
The ending of Get Out isn't just about Chris escaping; it's about the audience grappling with the film's broader implications. The Armitages' downfall doesn't erase the centuries of exploitation they represent, and Chris's survival doesn't erase his trauma. This complexity is what makes the film so powerful. It's not just a horror movie; it's a mirror held up to society, revealing the insidious ways racism operates. The ending leaves us with more questions than answers, ensuring that the film's impact lingers far beyond its runtime.