Hostiles (2017) Ending Explained
tl;dr: Hostiles (2017) ends with Captain Joseph Blocker (Christian Bale) escorting the dying Cheyenne chief Yellow Hawk (Wes Studi) and his family back to their ancestral lands in Montana, only to witness the chief's peaceful death. After numerous violent encounters, Blocker forms a bond with the family and Rosalie Quaid (Rosamund Pike), a widow he rescues from Comanche raiders. In the final scene, Blocker chooses to accompany Rosalie to an uncertain future, leaving his military past behind. The ending is a poignant meditation on redemption, the cost of hatred, and the possibility of change, set against the brutal backdrop of the American frontier.*
The Climactic Journey and Yellow Hawk's Death
The film's conclusion is deeply tied to Captain Blocker's emotional and moral transformation. Initially a hardened soldier filled with racist contempt for Native Americans, Blocker is forced to escort Yellow Hawk-a former enemy-to his homeland. Along the way, they endure ambushes, betrayals, and personal losses, including the deaths of soldiers under Blocker's command. When Yellow Hawk finally reaches his ancestral valley, he dies peacefully, surrounded by his family. This moment is pivotal: Blocker, who once vowed to kill the chief, instead honors him with a traditional Cheyenne burial. The scene symbolizes Blocker's rejection of his past hatred and his growing respect for the people he once despised.
Rosalie Quaid's Role in Blocker's Redemption
Rosalie, a traumatized widow whose family was massacred by Comanches, serves as a mirror to Blocker's grief and rage. Initially, she is consumed by vengeance, much like Blocker. However, as they travel together, she begins to heal, finding solace in the Cheyenne family's kindness. Her gradual acceptance of them contrasts with Blocker's initial hostility, subtly guiding him toward empathy. By the end, Rosalie's decision to accompany the Cheyenne family further east-rather than return to her old life-signals her own transformation. Blocker's choice to join her suggests that he, too, is seeking a new path, one unburdened by the cycle of violence that defined his military career.
The Ambiguous Final Scene
The film's last shot shows Blocker and Rosalie riding away together, their future uncertain. This open-ended conclusion invites interpretation. Are they starting a new life together? Will Blocker fully shed his violent past, or will the frontier's brutality pull him back? The lack of resolution reflects the film's themes: change is possible, but the scars of war and hatred linger. The vast, empty landscape emphasizes their isolation, yet also the freedom to redefine themselves. It's a quiet, powerful ending that avoids Hollywood sentimentality, staying true to the film's grim yet hopeful tone.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- What happens to Blocker and Rosalie after they ride off?
- They may build a life together, finding peace away from the frontier's violence.
- Alternatively, the harsh realities of the West could test their newfound bond.
- Does Blocker ever fully reconcile with his past?
- His actions suggest he's on that path, but his trauma may never fully heal.
- His decision to leave the military behind implies a permanent break from his old self.
- What is the significance of the Cheyenne family's future?
- Their survival is bittersweet-they reclaim their heritage, but their people's suffering continues.
- Their journey highlights the resilience of Native cultures despite systemic oppression.
Personal Opinion on the Ending and Film
Hostiles is a brutal yet poetic exploration of hatred and redemption, with an ending that lingers long after the credits roll. The final scenes avoid easy answers, instead opting for quiet introspection. Bale's performance is masterful, conveying Blocker's internal struggle without excessive dialogue. The film's violence is unflinching, but necessary-it underscores the cost of dehumanization. While some may find the pacing slow, the deliberate storytelling allows the characters' transformations to feel earned. The ending's ambiguity is its strength, refusing to tie everything neatly while offering a glimmer of hope. It's a flawed but deeply affecting film, and its conclusion is one of the most resonant in recent Western cinema.