10 Movie Endings You Can Only Work Out For Yourself

8. Shame

The Lobster
Fox Searchlight

Steve McQueen's Shame is a terrifically crafted depiction of sexual addiction, as executive Brandon (Michael Fassbender) struggles to quell his overpowering urges.

The film opens with Brandon travelling to work on the New York City subway when he makes flirtatious contact with an engaged woman, who eventually grows uncomfortable and disappears into the crowd.

Throughout the film, Brandon is forced to confront the self-destructive nature of his addiction, and at the end he once again crosses paths with the engaged woman on the subway, who this time appears far more interested in him.

As the train pulls to a stop, McQueen cuts to black, leaving the audience to decide whether or not Brandon succumbs to his urges and follows the woman.

The film gives you basically nothing one way or another to decisively determine what Brandon does.

Him successfully turning the implied invitation down or giving in to his addiction are both 100% believable outcomes, and it's really down to individual viewers whether they perceive the scene optimistically or not.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.