Let's Kill Ward's Wife (2014) Ending Explained
TL;DR
Let's Kill Ward's Wife (2014) is a dark comedy about a group of friends who accidentally kill Ward's abusive wife, Stacy, and then struggle to cover up the crime. The ending sees the group successfully disposing of Stacy's body and returning to their normal lives, but with lingering guilt and paranoia. The film concludes ambiguously, leaving questions about whether they'll face consequences or if their friendship will survive the trauma. The finale blends humor with moral ambiguity, suggesting that while they've escaped legal repercussions, the psychological toll may be permanent.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of Let's Kill Ward's Wife occurs after the group of friends - Tom, David, Ronnie, and Ward-spend most of the movie trying to dispose of Stacy's body while dealing with their own incompetence and moral dilemmas. After several failed attempts (including a disastrous effort to dump her in the ocean), they finally succeed in burying her in the desert. The resolution shows them returning to their everyday lives, but the once-close-knit group is now fractured by guilt and mistrust. The final scenes imply that while they've technically gotten away with murder, the emotional and psychological scars will never fully heal.
One of the most telling moments in the ending is when Ward, the grieving widower, begins dating again almost immediately, suggesting that he never truly loved Stacy and may have even been complicit in her death. Meanwhile, Tom and David-who were initially the most reluctant participants-struggle with their consciences, hinting that their friendship may never recover from the ordeal. The film's dark humor persists until the very end, with Ronnie (the most morally flexible of the group) cracking jokes even as they face the gravity of what they've done. This tonal balance between comedy and tragedy reinforces the movie's central theme: how far people will go to protect their own self-interest, even at the expense of their morality.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
Will they ever get caught?
- Possible Answer: The film leaves this open-ended, but given their incompetence throughout the movie, it's plausible that evidence (like Stacy's car or forensic traces) could resurface.
- Counterpoint: The desert burial may have been thorough enough to avoid detection, allowing them to escape justice.
How does Ward really feel about Stacy's death?
- Possible Answer: His quick rebound suggests he was relieved or even secretly wanted her dead.
- Counterpoint: His behavior could be a coping mechanism for guilt or grief.
Will their friendships survive?
- Possible Answer: The shared trauma might bond them forever, or the guilt could drive them apart.
- Counterpoint: Their dynamic has already shifted, as seen in the final scenes where they're no longer as carefree as before.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
I found the ending of Let's Kill Ward's Wife to be a fitting conclusion to its darkly comedic tone. While the movie isn't a masterpiece, it effectively explores the absurdity of human behavior under extreme stress. The fact that they "get away with it" but are emotionally scarred is a clever subversion of typical crime-comedy tropes. However, the film's biggest weakness is its lack of deeper character development-we never fully understand why these friends would go to such lengths for Ward, which makes some of their actions feel contrived. Still, the performances (particularly Patrick Wilson as Ward) carry the film, and the ending's ambiguity leaves a lasting impression.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Let's Kill Ward's Wife works best as a cautionary fable about loyalty and morality. The ending doesn't provide easy answers, forcing the audience to grapple with whether the characters deserve their freedom or if they're doomed to a lifetime of paranoia. It's a messy but entertaining film that sticks with you precisely because it refuses to tie everything up neatly. If you enjoy dark comedies with flawed protagonists, this one delivers-just don't expect a clean resolution.