Sound of Metal Ending Explained
TL;DR:
Sound of Metal (2019) ends with Ruben Stone (Riz Ahmed), a drummer who loses his hearing, accepting his new reality after a turbulent journey of denial, anger, and grief. The film concludes with Ruben sitting quietly in a park, embracing the silence rather than fighting it. He removes his cochlear implants, symbolizing his acceptance of deafness as part of his identity rather than a flaw to be fixed. The ending is poignant and open-ended, leaving room for interpretation about his future but emphasizing his emotional growth and newfound peace.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The final act of Sound of Metal is a powerful culmination of Ruben's emotional and psychological journey. After initially resisting his hearing loss and desperately pursuing cochlear implants to regain his old life, Ruben realizes that the implants don't restore his hearing in the way he hoped. Instead, they distort sound into artificial, overwhelming noise. In the closing scene, Ruben sits alone in a park, removes the implants, and allows himself to exist in silence. This moment is a metaphor for his acceptance-both of his deafness and of the impermanence of life. The film suggests that true peace comes not from fixing what's broken but from embracing it.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
Does Ruben ever return to music?
- Possible Answer: He may find new ways to engage with music (e.g., vibration-based performances) or shift to teaching.
- Counterpoint: He might leave music entirely, focusing on inner peace rather than external expression.
What happens to his relationship with Lou?
- Possible Answer: They remain apart, as Ruben's journey required separation for growth.
- Counterpoint: They reconnect later, but in a different, healthier dynamic.
Will Ruben stay in the Deaf community?
- Possible Answer: Yes, he now sees it as his home.
- Counterpoint: He may drift between worlds, finding his own balance.
Themes & Symbolism in the Ending
The film's conclusion reinforces its central themes of acceptance, identity, and the illusion of control. Ruben's decision to remove his implants signifies a rejection of society's assumption that disability must be "fixed." Instead, he chooses to redefine his life on his own terms. The silence in the final scene is not empty but full-of presence, of being. The film challenges the audience to reconsider how we perceive sound, loss, and what it means to be whole.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
Sound of Metal is one of the most emotionally resonant films I've seen in years. The ending is perfect-it doesn't tie everything up neatly but leaves Ruben in a moment of quiet triumph. Riz Ahmed's performance is breathtaking, and the sound design immerses the audience in Ruben's experience. The film avoids clichés about disability, opting instead for raw authenticity. My only critique is that I wish we'd seen more of Ruben's future, but the ambiguity is part of what makes the ending so powerful. It's a masterpiece of subtle storytelling.
Final Thoughts
The brilliance of Sound of Metal lies in its refusal to offer easy answers. The ending isn't about "winning" or "losing" but about transformation. Ruben doesn't get his old life back, but he finds something deeper-self-acceptance. It's a reminder that some losses are permanent, but that doesn't mean life stops being meaningful. The film's final shot, with Ruben at peace in silence, lingers long after the credits roll, leaving the audience to reflect on their own relationship with control, change, and acceptance.