Terminator Genisys Ending: What Does It Really Mean?

Do We Have Free Will?

This question is one of the film's key themes, taking Sarah's musings from the end of The Terminator and having them fully realised. Kyle is trained by John and ultimately sent back in time with the express purpose to impregnate Sarah. So, does Kyle have any free will, or are his actions predetermined? The decision on both Connors' parts to hide his true destiny suggest it's something they don't want to address out of fear of being right. The issue of free will has been brought up throughout the franchise. The Terminator was scarily ambiguous about it, with Kyle saying the future isn't set, but with none of the movie's events suggesting that. Judgement Day later suggested the future was in flux and changeable, while Rise Of The Machines twisted it further, adding in a clause of inevitable destiny. Genisys seems to be much more optimistic and clear cut, removing the inevitability of Judgement Day and the constant of John the hero, leaving the future gleefully unknown and variable. Just take a look at Kyle and Sarah's relationship - they now have no pressure and no motivation to fall for each other in this timeline, but do so anyway, suggesting that, while certain things are more likely to happen, that's only down to personal decisions; we do ultimately have free will. There is a counter argument that the unknown future at the end doesn't mean events aren't predetermined, just that, for once, the heroes don't know what's actually coming. This goes rather philosophical, but offers up another way to view the narrative. That the film keeps it totally open makes it hard to draw any conclusions, but is rather fitting given the movies that have come before.