20 More So-Called Happy Movie Endings That Absolutely Aren't

You'd be forgiven for thinking that when a story about a character's desperate struggle for greatness ends with their success, it would be a happy one. For the most part, that would be true, but Whiplash goes far deeper than just Andrew's passion for drumming.

Yes, Miles Teller's character was at the center of the narrative as the protagonist, but the film is all about Terence Fletcher, played by J.K. Simmons, as one of the most detested cinematic characters in recent memory. His abusive methods, both physical and mental, had driven one student to suicide before attacking Andrew in a similar way.

The target was for his protégé to become great, and for him to feel some vicarious success through him. Upon receiving Fletcher's approval at the very end of the film, Andrew essentially got everything he ever wanted. His greatness was confirmed.

However, it's not always about the destination as much as the journey, and Fletcher's horrific methods were abhorrent. And yet, in Andrew still trying to impress him after everything, and in becoming as good as he did, such tactics and abuses of power were validated, meaning that Fletcher would surely go on to treat more young musicians in the same way, to and past breaking point.

Be aware, the next entry contains major spoilers for Project Hail Mary...