Irresistible (2006) Ending Explained
tl;dr:
The ending of Irresistible (2020), directed by Jon Stewart, is a satirical twist revealing that the entire political spectacle orchestrated by Democratic strategist Gary Zimmer (Steve Carell) and Republican strategist Faith Brewster (Rose Byrne) was a ruse engineered by retired Marine colonel Jack Hastings (Chris Cooper) and his daughter Diana (Mackenzie Davis). The small-town mayoral race in Deerlaken, Wisconsin, was a setup to expose how national political operatives exploit rural communities for fundraising and media attention. The film concludes with Jack donating the millions raised to local causes, while Gary and Faith are left humiliated, realizing they were outmaneuvered by the very people they sought to manipulate.
The Ending Explained in Detail
The climax of Irresistible unfolds as Gary Zimmer, a high-profile Democratic strategist, believes he's successfully turned a small-town mayoral race into a national political battleground by backing Jack Hastings, a conservative but sympathetic veteran running as a Democrat. Meanwhile, Faith Brewster, his Republican counterpart, pours resources into defeating Jack, turning the race into a proxy war for the 2020 election. However, in the final act, it's revealed that Jack and Diana never intended to win. Instead, they orchestrated the entire spectacle to expose how political operatives like Gary and Faith exploit rural America for fundraising and partisan gain.
The twist hinges on Jack's quiet intelligence and Diana's grassroots savvy. They recognized that Gary and Faith would turn Deerlaken into a circus, pouring money into ads, consultants, and media coverage. By playing along, they funneled millions in donations-ostensibly for Jack's campaign-into a trust for the town's actual needs, like infrastructure and education. The final scene shows Jack announcing the deception at a press conference, donating the funds, and leaving Gary and Faith to face the humiliation of being outsmarted by the "simple" locals they underestimated.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers
Did Jack and Diana plan the ruse from the beginning?
- Likely yes: Diana's initial resistance to Gary's involvement suggests she was wary of outsiders, but her later actions imply she saw an opportunity to manipulate the manipulators.
- Alternatively, they may have improvised after seeing how quickly the race escalated.
What happens to Gary and Faith's careers after the scandal?
- They might face professional ruin: The film implies their reputations are tarnished, but their resilience suggests they'll rebrand and continue in politics.
- Or they could learn a lesson: Gary's final scene hints at self-reflection, though Faith seems unfazed.
Will Deerlaken's residents forgive the deception?
- Probably: The town benefits financially, and Jack's integrity likely outweighs the lie.
- But some might feel used: The film doesn't explore backlash from locals who believed in the campaign.
Satirical Commentary on Modern Politics
Irresistible uses its ending to skewer the absurdity of national political machinery. By showing how easily operatives like Gary and Faith latch onto a "heartland narrative" for profit, Stewart critiques the hollow nature of political campaigns that prioritize optics over substance. The twist underscores how rural communities are often treated as pawns in larger ideological battles, with little regard for their actual needs. The film's humor lies in the operatives' blind spots-their assumption that small-town Americans are gullible, when in reality, they're the ones being played.
Personal Opinion on the Ending and Film
The ending of Irresistible is clever but divisive. While the twist delivers a satisfying comeuppance for the smug strategists, it risks oversimplifying the systemic issues it critiques. The film's satire is sharp but occasionally heavy-handed, with characters like Faith Brewster leaning into caricature. That said, Steve Carell's performance as the well-intentioned but misguided Gary adds depth, and Chris Cooper's stoic Jack is a standout. The message-that politics is often a performative game divorced from real people-resonates, even if the execution feels more like a prolonged Daily Show segment than a nuanced film.
Ultimately, Irresistible works best as a dark comedy about the futility of political spectacle, but its impact is diluted by its lack of subtlety. The ending, while witty, leaves little room for introspection beyond the obvious "gotcha" moment. Still, it's a timely critique of how money and media distort democracy, and the final scene-where Jack quietly returns to his farm-serves as a poignant reminder of who truly loses in these games.
Final Thoughts:
Irresistible's ending is a bold, if uneven, commentary on political exploitation. Its strengths lie in its performances and willingness to lampoon both sides of the aisle, but its satire could have benefited from more nuance. The twist is memorable, though, and it leaves viewers with a biting question: In a system this broken, who's really pulling the strings?