Our Souls at Night (2017) Ending Explained
tl;dr: Our Souls at Night concludes with a bittersweet yet hopeful ending where Louis (Robert Redford) and Addie (Jane Fonda), two elderly neighbors who find late-life companionship, ultimately part ways due to family obligations but leave the door open for future connection. The film emphasizes the importance of human connection at any age, showing how their relationship transforms both characters despite societal and familial pressures. The ending is quiet but emotionally resonant, suggesting that love doesn't always require permanence to be meaningful.
The Ending Explained
The final act of Our Souls at Night sees Addie making the difficult decision to move to Colorado to live with her son Gene (Jude Law) and grandson Jamie (Iain Armitage) after Gene's marital troubles leave him needing support. This choice forces Addie and Louis to end their budding romantic relationship, which had brought them both unexpected joy and companionship in their twilight years. The film's climax hinges on a tender, understated goodbye between the two, where they acknowledge the depth of their feelings but accept that life's responsibilities-particularly to family-must take precedence. Their parting is melancholic yet dignified, avoiding melodrama in favor of quiet realism.
Louis, initially a reserved and lonely widower, is visibly changed by his time with Addie. In the final scenes, he adopts a dog-something he wouldn't have done before meeting her-symbolizing his newfound willingness to embrace companionship and vulnerability. Meanwhile, Addie, though physically leaving, carries the emotional impact of their relationship with her. The film's last shot lingers on Louis sitting alone on his porch but now with a sense of peace, suggesting that their time together has left him less isolated and more open to life's possibilities. The ending doesn't tie everything up neatly but instead reflects the messy, imperfect nature of love and aging.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- Will Addie and Louis reunite?
- Possible Answer: The film leaves this ambiguous, but their deep connection suggests they might find a way back to each other once family obligations settle.
- How will Jamie cope without Addie?
- Possible Answer: Jamie's bond with Addie is strong, and her move may push Gene to become a better father, but the film implies Jamie will miss her dearly.
- Why doesn't Louis fight harder for Addie?
- Possible Answer: Louis respects Addie's choice and understands that family duty is important to her; his acceptance shows emotional growth.
Personal Opinion on the Ending
The ending of Our Souls at Night is profoundly moving because it prioritizes emotional truth over Hollywood-style resolution. In a lesser film, Louis might have dramatically followed Addie to Colorado, but here, the realism of their situation-aging, family ties, and societal expectations-makes their parting more impactful. Redford and Fonda's chemistry elevates the quiet sorrow of their goodbye, making it feel earned rather than contrived. The film's message-that love can be fleeting yet still transformative-is beautifully underscored by Louis' small but significant change (adopting the dog). It's a testament to the idea that connections matter at every stage of life, even if they don't last forever.
Themes Reinforced by the Ending
The finale crystallizes the film's central themes: the courage to seek companionship late in life, the sacrifices demanded by family, and the idea that love doesn't need permanence to be meaningful. Addie and Louis' relationship challenges the notion that elderly romance is unimportant or frivolous; instead, it's portrayed as vital and life-affirming. Their parting also highlights the tension between personal happiness and familial duty, a universal conflict that resonates across generations. The film's subdued ending reinforces its realist approach, avoiding saccharine sentimentality in favor of something more nuanced and honest.
Final Thoughts
Our Souls at Night is a gentle, poignant exploration of love in later life, and its ending is a masterclass in emotional restraint. By not forcing a fairytale conclusion, the film stays true to its characters and their world. Louis and Addie's story lingers precisely because it doesn't wrap up neatly-it mirrors the complexities of real-life relationships. The film leaves viewers with a quiet hope: that even brief connections can leave lasting imprints, and that it's never too late to open your heart. It's a rare movie that treats elderly characters with such depth and respect, and the ending is all the more powerful for it.