The Coldest City (2017) Ending Explained
tl;dr
The ending of The Coldest City (2017), also known as Atomic Blonde, reveals Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron) as a double agent who has been manipulating events to secure the "List"—a microfilm containing names of undercover operatives-for herself. After eliminating her MI6 handler, David Percival (James McAvoy), and the KGB agent Aleksander Bremovych (Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson), Lorraine delivers a falsified version of the List to MI6 while keeping the real one. The film concludes with her boarding a train to Berlin, implying she will defect to the KGB or operate independently, cementing her as a masterful, ruthless spy who plays all sides.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of The Coldest City is a labyrinth of betrayals, with Lorraine Broughton emerging as the ultimate victor through sheer cunning and brutality. After a series of violent confrontations, including the infamous stairwell fight scene, Lorraine finally secures the List-a highly sought-after microfilm that exposes Western and Soviet spies. However, the film's twist lies in her true allegiance. Throughout the story, Lorraine appears to be a loyal MI6 operative, but her actions-such as her calculated killing of Percival and her manipulation of other agents-hint at a deeper game. The final reveal shows her handing over a doctored List to MI6 while keeping the original, suggesting she has been working for her own benefit or possibly for the KGB all along.
The film's framing device - Lorraine being debriefed by MI6 and CIA officers-adds another layer of deception. Her recounting of events is unreliable, and the audience realizes too late that she has been controlling the narrative to hide her true motives. The final scene, where she boards a train while a KGB agent nods at her, strongly implies she is defecting or has been a mole the entire time. This ambiguity is intentional, leaving her ultimate fate open to interpretation. The cold, detached manner in which she disposes of her allies and enemies alike underscores the film's central theme: in espionage, trust is fatal, and survival belongs to those who play the longest game.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
Was Lorraine always a KGB mole, or did she turn during the mission?
- Possible Answer 1: She was a KGB sleeper agent from the beginning, tasked with infiltrating MI6.
- Possible Answer 2: She became disillusioned with MI6 and switched sides after witnessing their corruption.
- Possible Answer 3: She was never loyal to anyone and played both sides for personal gain.
What will she do with the real List?
- Possible Answer 1: Sell it to the highest bidder on the black market.
- Possible Answer 2: Use it to eliminate rivals and solidify her power within the KGB.
- Possible Answer 3: Destroy it to erase all traces of her own identity.
Did Percival ever suspect her?
- Possible Answer 1: Yes, but he underestimated her ruthlessness.
- Possible Answer 2: No, he was too consumed by his own greed and paranoia.
- Possible Answer 3: He suspected but didn't act because he was also playing his own game.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
The Coldest City delivers a satisfyingly brutal and twist-filled conclusion that elevates it above typical spy thrillers. Charlize Theron's performance as Lorraine is mesmerizing-she embodies the character's icy precision and lethal charm perfectly. The ending's ambiguity is a strength, refusing to spoon-feed the audience and instead forcing them to grapple with the moral murkiness of espionage. However, some may find the plot overly convoluted, with one twist too many muddying the stakes. The action sequences-particularly the stairwell fight-are visceral and unforgettable, but the film's pacing can feel uneven at times. Ultimately, it's a stylish, gritty Cold War thriller with a killer ending that rewards careful attention.
Final Thoughts
The film's ending cements Lorraine as one of the most formidable female spies in cinema-a character who thrives in the gray areas of loyalty and deception. Whether she's a traitor, a pragmatist, or simply a survivor is left deliberately unclear, reflecting the film's cynical worldview. The Coldest City doesn't just entertain; it lingers, forcing viewers to question every interaction and motive long after the credits roll. For fans of morally complex, action-packed spy tales, this is a must-watch, though its dense plotting may require multiple viewings to fully appreciate.