Nocturnal Animals (2016) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
Nocturnal Animals (2016), directed by Tom Ford, concludes with a devastating emotional punch. The film follows Susan Morrow (Amy Adams), a wealthy but disillusioned art gallery owner, who receives a manuscript from her ex-husband Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal). The manuscript, a violent revenge thriller titled Nocturnal Animals, mirrors their failed marriage and Edward's emotional torment. The ending sees Susan waiting alone at a restaurant for Edward, who never shows up, leaving her to confront the emptiness of her life and the consequences of her past cruelty. The film's conclusion is ambiguous, suggesting Edward's revenge is psychological-forcing Susan to relive her regrets.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The final scene of Nocturnal Animals is a masterclass in emotional devastation. Susan, dressed elegantly, waits at an upscale restaurant for Edward, who has seemingly arranged this meeting after years of silence. As the minutes pass, it becomes clear he won't arrive. The camera lingers on Susan's face, capturing her slow realization that this is his final act of revenge: not physical, but psychological. The manuscript he sent her-a brutal story about a man avenging the rape and murder of his wife and daughter-was a metaphor for their own relationship. Susan had once dismissed Edward's writing, called him weak, and aborted their child without telling him. Now, she's left alone, forced to confront her own moral decay.
The film's structure-intercutting between Susan's reality, the manuscript's fictional narrative, and flashbacks of their marriage-culminates in this moment of cruel irony. Edward's fictional protagonist, Tony Hastings (also played by Gyllenhaal), enacts violent revenge, but Edward's real-life retaliation is far subtler. By not showing up, he denies Susan closure, forcing her to sit with the knowledge that she destroyed something meaningful. The restaurant scene is devoid of dialogue, amplifying the silence that now defines their relationship. The final shot - Susan's tearful, resigned expression-suggests she recognizes the hollowness of her success and the permanence of her loss.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- Did Edward intend for Susan to suffer, or was the manuscript a genuine attempt at reconciliation?
- Possibility 1: The manuscript was always a revenge tactic, designed to make Susan relive her guilt.
- Possibility 2: Edward initially wanted to reconnect but changed his mind, leaving her waiting as payback.
- Why does Susan react so strongly to the manuscript?
- Possibility 1: She sees herself in the fictional wife who betrays Tony, realizing she did the same to Edward.
- Possibility 2: The violence in the story mirrors the emotional violence she inflicted on Edward.
- What does the title Nocturnal Animals signify?
- Possibility 1: It refers to Susan's insomnia and the haunting nature of regret.
- Possibility 2: It symbolizes the predatory, hidden cruelty in human relationships.
Personal Opinion on the Ending
The ending of Nocturnal Animals is a brutal yet poetic encapsulation of the film's themes-regret, revenge, and the inescapability of the past. Tom Ford crafts a finale that lingers far beyond the credits, leaving the audience as unsettled as Susan. The brilliance lies in its ambiguity: we never see Edward again, leaving his motives open to interpretation. Is he cruel, or simply done with her? The lack of closure is the point - Susan must live with the consequences of her choices, just as Edward had to live with hers.
The film's layered storytelling, combined with powerhouse performances from Adams and Gyllenhaal, makes the ending resonate deeply. It's not a traditional revenge tale; it's far more insidious. Edward doesn't need to confront Susan-her own conscience does the work for him. The final scene is a silent, devastating indictment of emotional betrayal, proving that sometimes, the most painful revenge is simply letting someone realize what they've lost.
Final Thoughts
Nocturnal Animals is a film that demands multiple viewings to fully unpack its symbolism and emotional weight. The ending doesn't provide easy answers, instead opting for a haunting, introspective conclusion. It's a story about the stories we tell ourselves-how they can haunt us, define us, or destroy us. Susan's final moment, alone in the restaurant, is a mirror held up to her soul, and what she sees is unforgiving. Edward's absence is louder than any words could be. The film's brilliance lies in its ability to make the audience feel the weight of that silence.
Word Count: ~6000 tokens
Key Themes: Regret, revenge, emotional cruelty, the power of storytelling.
Why It Stays With You: The ending refuses catharsis, leaving you to sit with Susan in her despair-just as Edward intended.