The Visitor (1979) Ending Explained

TL;DR:
The Visitor (2007) concludes with Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins), a disconnected college professor, finding renewed purpose through his unexpected friendship with two undocumented immigrants, Tarek and Zainab. After Tarek is detained by ICE and deported to Syria, Walter becomes deeply involved in advocating for him, ultimately deciding to learn the djembe drum-a symbol of Tarek's spirit-to honor their bond. The ending is bittersweet, emphasizing human connection over bureaucratic injustice, with Walter transformed from a passive observer to an engaged participant in life. The film leaves several questions unanswered, particularly about Tarek's fate and Walter's future, but its emotional resolution highlights themes of empathy, cultural exchange, and personal redemption.

Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The final act of The Visitor sees Walter fully embracing the emotional and political stakes of Tarek's detention. After Tarek is abruptly taken by ICE following a minor subway incident, Walter-who had previously lived a solitary, emotionally stagnant life-throws himself into navigating the labyrinthine U.S. immigration system. He hires a lawyer, visits Tarek in detention, and even confronts Tarek's estranged mother, Mouna (Hiam Abbass), who arrives from Michigan. Their shared grief and determination form a poignant subplot, with Walter and Mouna bonding over their helplessness in the face of an impersonal system. The film's climax occurs when Tarek is deported to Syria offscreen, leaving Walter and Mouna to mourn his absence together. In the final scene, Walter practices the djembe in a New York subway station, channeling Tarek's passion and visibly moved by the connection they shared.

Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. What happens to Tarek after his deportation?
- The film implies he faces an uncertain future in Syria, possibly under political persecution.
- Alternatively, he might attempt to return to the U.S. or rebuild his life elsewhere.
2. Does Walter maintain his relationship with Mouna?
- Their shared loss suggests they might stay in touch, but the film leaves this open.
- Mouna's return to Michigan hints at a fleeting, though meaningful, connection.
3. How does Walter's life change long-term?
- His drumming in the subway implies he's broken free from his emotional shell.
- He might become an activist or simply carry Tarek's memory as a catalyst for continued growth.

Themes and Symbolism:
The djembe drum serves as the film's central metaphor. Initially, Walter is indifferent to Tarek's music, but by the end, it becomes a vessel for his grief and transformation. The drumming scene mirrors Tarek's earlier performance in Washington Square Park, symbolizing Walter's embrace of vitality and cultural exchange. The subway setting-a place of transience and connection-underscores the film's themes of fleeting yet profound human bonds. Director Tom McCarthy avoids a tidy resolution, instead highlighting the systemic cruelty of immigration policies while celebrating the resilience of individual relationships. Walter's arc-from apathy to activism-reflects a broader commentary on how personal connections can politicize and awaken even the most disengaged among us.

Personal Opinion:
The Visitor's ending is achingly human, refusing to offer false hope or villainize any single entity. Instead, it sits with the discomfort of injustice while finding beauty in Walter's transformation. Richard Jenkins' understated performance makes Walter's journey feel earned, and the absence of a dramatic courtroom victory or Tarek's return feels true to life. The film's quiet power lies in its insistence that small acts of solidarity-like learning a drum rhythm or accompanying someone to a detention center-matter as much as systemic change. While some might crave closure for Tarek, the open-endedness reinforces the reality that many immigrant stories lack neat conclusions. The Visitor remains a testament to how art can bridge divides, both cultural and emotional.

Final Thoughts:
The film's lingering impact comes from its balance of despair and hope. Walter's final act-playing the djembe alone yet connected to Tarek's spirit-suggests that while systems may fail individuals, personal connections endure. The unanswered questions serve not as flaws but as invitations to reflect on our own roles in similar struggles. The Visitor is a masterclass in subtle storytelling, proving that the most profound transformations often begin with a simple act of noticing-and caring about-the people around us.