Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood (2019) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood concludes with an alternate history twist where Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) inadvertently prevent the Manson Family from murdering Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) and her friends. The film's climax is a violent, darkly comedic showdown at Rick's house, where Cliff and Rick brutally dispatch the intruding Manson followers. The ending shifts from historical tragedy to cathartic fantasy, allowing Sharon Tate to survive and Rick to finally achieve recognition from his famous neighbors. The film ultimately celebrates Hollywood's golden age while grappling with its darker undercurrents.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The final act of Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood subverts expectations by rewriting one of the most infamous crimes in Hollywood history. Instead of depicting the real-life Manson Family murders of Sharon Tate and her friends, Quentin Tarantino offers an alternate reality where the killers - Tex Watson, Susan Atkins, and Patricia Krenwinkel-arrive at Rick Dalton's house next door to Tate's, mistaking it for the home of Terry Melcher (the producer who once rejected Charles Manson). Cliff Booth, Rick's stunt double and best friend, quickly dispatches one of the intruders with his dog Brandy, while Rick, in a drunken stupor, ultimately uses a flamethrower from one of his old movies to kill the final attacker. The scene is gruesome yet darkly comedic, embodying Tarantino's signature blend of violence and humor.
Thematically, the ending serves as a wish-fulfillment fantasy, allowing Tarantino to rewrite history much like he did in Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained. By sparing Sharon Tate, the film preserves the innocence and optimism of late 1960s Hollywood, a stark contrast to the grim reality that followed the Manson murders. Margot Robbie's Sharon Tate is portrayed as a radiant, almost ethereal figure, and her survival symbolizes the preservation of Hollywood's golden age. The final scene, where Rick is invited into Tate's home to meet her and Roman Polanski, underscores this idea - Rick, a fading TV star, finally earns the recognition he craves from the industry's elite.
The violence in the climax is both shocking and cathartic. Cliff's brutal fight with the Manson followers, including the infamous moment where he smashes a woman's face into a telephone and a fireplace, is exaggerated to the point of absurdity. Rick's use of the flamethrower-a callback to his earlier role in The 14 Fists of McCluskey—is both ridiculous and satisfying, emphasizing Tarantino's love for cinematic payoffs. The ending suggests that, in Tarantino's world, the heroes of Hollywood (even the flawed ones like Rick and Cliff) can triumph over the forces of chaos and evil.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers:
1. Why did Tarantino choose to rewrite the Manson murders?
- To offer a cathartic, alternate history where goodness prevails.
- To explore Hollywood's mythmaking power.
- To preserve the nostalgic glow of 1969 Hollywood.
What does Rick's flamethrower symbolize?
- The power of cinema to rewrite reality.
- Rick's resurgence as a relevant actor.
- A metaphor for Hollywood's ability to destroy its demons.
Is Cliff Booth a reliable narrator of his own past?
- His story about killing his wife may be a lie or exaggeration.
- His violent skills suggest a darker history.
- Tarantino leaves it ambiguous to maintain intrigue.
Personal Opinion:
The ending of Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood is a masterful blend of wish fulfillment, dark comedy, and poignant nostalgia. Tarantino's decision to spare Sharon Tate feels like a love letter to the era, allowing the audience to experience a version of history where the good guys win. The violence, while extreme, serves a purpose-it's both a rejection of the Manson Family's real-life brutality and a celebration of cinematic justice. DiCaprio and Pitt deliver flawless performances, making their characters' triumph deeply satisfying. However, some may argue the film glosses over the darker aspects of Hollywood, such as Polanski's own controversies, in favor of a rose-tinted finale. Still, as a piece of speculative fiction, it's a brilliant, emotional, and wildly entertaining conclusion.
The movie's final moments-with Rick finally getting his due recognition and Sharon Tate alive and happy-linger in the mind long after the credits roll. It's a testament to Tarantino's ability to blend history, fantasy, and pure cinema into something uniquely his own. Whether you see it as escapism or a deeper commentary on Hollywood's duality, the ending leaves a lasting impact.