Narrative technique · used in 4 films
Ending the film at its most unresolved point, with the hero beaten, separated from others or in crisis. You are left waiting for a sequel to settle things.
Examples
Irvin Kershner · 1980
The Empire ends with Han frozen, Luke's hand replaced by a prosthetic and the Rebel fleet scattered. There is no victory and nothing is restored. It's the rare blockbuster ending that works entirely as an open question, with nothing resolved and everything worse.
Where to see it: The final shot. Luke and Leia watch the stars while the Rebel fleet regroups in defeat.
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen · 2009
The film stops at the worst moment. Larry changes a student's grade, and right away his doctor phones about a chest X-ray. At the same time, a huge tornado approaches Danny's school. You are left waiting for the next shoe to drop.
Where to see it: The last scene. Larry's doctor calls about his X-ray, and a tornado closes in on Danny's school as the teacher struggles to open the shelter.
Peter Jackson · 2013
The film stops with Smaug leaving the mountain to attack Laketown, while Bilbo watches in despair. Gandalf is captured at the same time. You leave the cinema with every thread open.
Where to see it: Smaug escapes the gold: The dragon bursts out of the molten gold, leaves the mountain and flies off toward Laketown.
Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson · 2023
The film stops mid-story with Miles trapped on Earth-42 and Gwen gathering a team to find him. Nothing is resolved, and the story carries over into the next film. For a blockbuster, ending on the lowest point is a fairly bold move.
Where to see it: The final scene. Miles is held prisoner in the wrong universe while Gwen pulls together her own band of Spider-People to rescue him.
Questions
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