Once more, it is time for the halls of The Last Movie Outpost to ring with the sound of something vigorous. No, not Boba Phil getting used to his new bionic arm, but the sound of vigorous debate! It is time for a good, old-fashioned argument. This time around, the subject of our Great Debate has been suggested by one of you, an Outposter. None other than Aldo Bennedetti.
How comfortable are you with uncertainty? Do you lean into the unknown, or do you like to be guided? The answers to these questions could impact how much you enjoy this debate, as today we are debating the topic of ambiguity.
Specifically, ambiguous movie endings. What do we mean?
Endings that don’t necessarily solve anything. That leaves the story hanging, for you to maybe decide for yourself how it ends, such as Castaway (2000) or the director’s cut of Blade Runner. Or it could be the ending of the movie sows a big seed of doubt in you, just as you were relaxing into the resolution. Examples of this are the “is it still a dream?” ending of Inception, or the use of white fade at the end of All Is Lost.
Or, the finale prompts a huge rethink of what you have just watched, for instance, when Pale Rider suddenly makes you question if he is, in fact, the Wrath of God meted out on those who have wronged the town, or an avenging angel, itself a narrative angle previously used in both Shane and High Plains Drifter.
Ambiguity, ain’t it a bitch sometimes? Or, maybe, it is awesome! So, today’s debate:
What is the best “Ambiguous” movie ending of all time? What does it really mean?
Or, strike that, reverse it:
What endings do people hold up as ambiguous, but you think are completely obvious?
We don’t know how this one ends. So have at it!
