Siunin dik nei (2019) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
"Siunin dik nei" (or New Police Story) concludes with a dramatic showdown between disgraced police officer Chan Kwok-wing (played by Jackie Chan) and the vengeful villain Joe (played by Daniel Wu). After Joe's gang systematically humiliates and murders fellow officers, Chan redeems himself by defeating Joe in a brutal fight and saving his remaining allies. The ending emphasizes themes of redemption, justice, and the psychological toll of failure. While Chan reclaims his honor, the film leaves lingering questions about trauma and the cyclical nature of violence. The finale is both cathartic and bittersweet, blending action with emotional depth.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The climax of New Police Story unfolds in a high-stakes confrontation between Chan Kwok-wing and Joe, the leader of a sadistic gang targeting police officers. Joe, driven by a twisted desire for revenge due to his father's imprisonment and death, orchestrates a series of deadly games to humiliate and kill cops. Chan, once a celebrated officer, is haunted by his failure to save his team earlier in the film. The final battle occurs in a symbolic setting-a construction site-mirroring the chaos and instability of Chan's psyche. The fight is visceral and personal, with Chan overcoming his guilt and Joe's taunts to emerge victorious. Joe's eventual demise is poetic justice, as he falls victim to the same reckless abandon he imposed on others.
The resolution sees Chan reconciling with his past and finding closure. His surviving comrades, including Frank (Nicholas Tse), acknowledge his redemption, and the film ends with Chan revisiting the memorial for his fallen team. This scene underscores the film's central theme: the cost of duty and the possibility of atonement. Unlike traditional Jackie Chan films, which often end on a lighthearted note, New Police Story embraces a somber tone, reflecting its darker narrative. The emotional weight of the ending is amplified by Chan's vulnerability, a departure from his usual invincible hero persona.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. What happens to Frank after the events of the film?
- Possible Answer: Frank likely continues his career in the police force, carrying forward Chan's legacy of resilience. His bond with Chan suggests a mentorship dynamic.
2. Does Chan fully recover from his trauma?
- Possible Answer: While Chan finds redemption, the scars of losing his team may never fully heal. The ending implies he learns to live with his past rather than erase it.
3. What drove Joe's gang members to follow him so blindly?
- Possible Answer: The film hints at their shared resentment toward authority, but deeper motivations (e.g., familial abuse) are left unexplored.
4. Could there be a sequel exploring Chan's new role?
- Possible Answer: The open-ended nature of the ending leaves room for further stories, though none have materialized.
Personal Opinion:
New Police Story is a standout in Jackie Chan's filmography for its gritty realism and emotional depth. The ending is satisfying yet melancholic, avoiding cheap resolutions in favor of nuanced character growth. Chan's performance is raw and compelling, especially in scenes where he grapples with guilt. The villain, Joe, is a memorable antagonist whose motivations, while extreme, add layers to the narrative. My only critique is that the supporting characters could have been fleshed out more. Overall, the film's ending resonates because it prioritizes emotional truth over spectacle, making it one of Chan's most mature works.
Final Thoughts:
The film's conclusion is a powerful commentary on resilience and the human capacity for change. By juxtaposing Chan's redemption with Joe's downfall, it asks whether justice is about punishment or healing. The ambiguous yet hopeful ending lingers in the mind, leaving viewers to reflect on the price of heroism. New Police Story transcends its action-genre roots to deliver a poignant story about loss and recovery, cementing its place as a modern classic.