The ending of a screenplay is arguably one of the most important elements of the entire story. It’s the final impression you leave on your audience, the resolution that ties together the narrative threads, and the emotional crescendo that brings the characters’ arcs to their conclusion. A poorly executed ending can leave viewers dissatisfied, even if the rest of the screenplay is excellent, while a well-crafted ending can elevate a good screenplay to greatness.
In this article, we’ll explore the key principles of how to end a screenplay properly, ensuring that your story leaves a lasting impact on your audience.
1. Resolve the Main Conflict
At the heart of every screenplay is a central conflict that drives the plot. Whether it’s a personal struggle, a fight against external forces, or an emotional journey, the ending should provide resolution to this conflict. This doesn’t mean every question has to be answered, but the main issue your protagonist faces must come to a meaningful conclusion.
Tips for Resolving Conflict:
- Stay true to the story’s stakes: The resolution should address the stakes that have been built up throughout the film. If the protagonist’s goal was to save their family, the ending should show whether or not that goal is achieved, and the consequences of that outcome.
- Don’t introduce new conflicts: The ending is not the time to introduce a new problem or subplot. Focus on resolving the conflict that has been driving the narrative.
- Balance surprise and satisfaction: A great ending can surprise the audience, but it should still feel like a natural outgrowth of the story. It should make sense in the context of the events leading up to it.
2. Fulfill the Character Arc
A character arc is the emotional journey the protagonist (and sometimes other characters) undergoes throughout the story. A satisfying ending ensures that this arc is completed, showing how the character has changed or what they have learned by the end of the story.
Tips for Completing Character Arcs:
- Show growth or transformation: The protagonist’s transformation should be apparent by the end. Whether they’ve learned a lesson, overcome a personal flaw, or made a significant decision, the ending should highlight this evolution.
- Stay consistent with the character’s core: Even though characters evolve, the ending should stay true to who they are at their core. Sudden, unearned changes in character behavior can feel forced.
- Give secondary characters closure: While the protagonist’s journey is paramount, don’t forget to offer closure to important secondary characters, especially if they’ve had significant subplots.
3. Create an Emotional Impact
Whether your screenplay is a drama, thriller, comedy, or action film, it should leave the audience with a strong emotional reaction at the end. This emotional impact is often what makes a film memorable, and it should be consistent with the tone of the story.
Tips for Creating Emotional Impact:
- Build emotional tension: Your screenplay’s climax should build emotional tension that reaches its peak at the conclusion. The release of this tension in the resolution is what gives the ending its emotional power.
- Don’t over-explain: The ending should evoke emotion through action and visual storytelling, rather than long-winded dialogue. Show the resolution through characters’ actions, facial expressions, and meaningful moments.
- Use music and pacing wisely: The pacing of your final scenes, coupled with the right music, can enhance the emotional weight of the ending. Whether it’s a slow, thoughtful conclusion or a fast-paced, dramatic finish, the pacing should reflect the mood you want to create.
4. Tie Up Loose Ends (But Leave Room for Interpretation)
While it’s important to tie up major plot points, you don’t have to resolve every single question or mystery in the story. Leaving some ambiguity can give the audience something to think about after the credits roll. However, leaving too many questions unanswered can frustrate viewers, so finding the right balance is key.
Tips for Tying Up Loose Ends:
- Address the most important questions: Ensure that the main plot and character arcs are resolved. Minor subplots or world-building details can be left open if they don’t impact the main narrative.
- Leave room for interpretation: Not all endings need to be definitive. If your story lends itself to ambiguity, consider leaving the final moments open to interpretation, allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions.
- Avoid unnecessary exposition: Don’t feel the need to explain everything in the last few minutes. Allow your visuals and subtext to convey what’s necessary without spoon-feeding the audience.
5. Consider Different Types of Endings
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to ending a screenplay. Different genres and stories call for different types of conclusions. Here are a few common types of endings you can consider:
A. Happy Ending
A happy ending resolves the conflict with a positive outcome for the protagonist. In many cases, this means the hero achieves their goal, relationships are mended, and the antagonist is defeated. Happy endings are common in comedies, family films, and feel-good dramas.
- Example: In The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne escapes from prison, and Red joins him in freedom, offering a hopeful conclusion to a story of endurance.
B. Tragic Ending
A tragic ending results in a negative outcome for the protagonist. These endings can evoke deep emotions, often leaving the audience to reflect on the cost of failure, the inevitability of fate, or human vulnerability.
- Example: In Requiem for a Dream, the characters’ descent into addiction leads to their ultimate downfall, with each experiencing a tragic fate.
C. Ambiguous Ending
An ambiguous ending leaves some aspect of the resolution unclear, allowing the audience to decide for themselves what happens next. These endings are particularly effective in psychological dramas or thrillers, where ambiguity creates lasting tension.
- Example: Inception leaves the audience unsure whether Cobb’s spinning top falls, raising questions about whether he’s still in a dream or has returned to reality.
D. Bittersweet Ending
A bittersweet ending combines elements of both success and loss. While the protagonist may achieve their goal, there is often a price to pay, or not every conflict is fully resolved.
- Example: In La La Land, Mia and Sebastian achieve their dreams but are unable to stay together, leaving the audience with mixed emotions of triumph and heartache.
E. Twist Ending
A twist ending delivers an unexpected revelation that changes the audience’s understanding of the story. These endings can be highly impactful when done correctly, but they must be carefully set up to feel earned rather than contrived.
- Example: The Sixth Sense is famous for its twist ending, revealing that Dr. Malcolm Crowe was dead the entire time, recontextualizing the entire film.
6. Avoid Common Mistakes
When crafting an ending, be mindful of common pitfalls that can weaken your screenplay’s impact:
- Rushed endings: After investing time in character and plot development, a rushed conclusion can leave the audience feeling cheated. Give your ending the same attention to detail as the rest of the script.
- Overly predictable endings: While some predictability is inevitable, especially in certain genres, avoid falling into clichés. Even in a familiar genre, try to inject a unique spin into your conclusion.
- Overcomplicating the ending: Don’t overwhelm the audience with too many last-minute twists or explanations. The ending should bring clarity and closure, not confusion.
7. Stay True to Your Story’s Theme
The theme of your screenplay should be reflected in its conclusion. If your story explores the cost of revenge, redemption, or the power of love, the ending should emphasize these themes. A satisfying conclusion reinforces the message of your story, leaving the audience with something meaningful to take away.
Tips for Reinforcing Theme:
- Use visual motifs: Reintroducing symbolic imagery or recurring motifs in the final moments can reinforce the thematic underpinnings of your story.
- Show, don’t tell: Instead of stating the theme outright in dialogue, use the characters’ actions and decisions in the final scene to convey the message.
- End with purpose: Your ending should have a clear purpose that reflects the overall meaning of the story. If your film explores the consequences of greed, the final scene should provide a commentary on that idea.
Conclusion
Ending a screenplay properly is about delivering a satisfying and meaningful conclusion that resolves the central conflict, fulfills the character arcs, and leaves an emotional impact on the audience. Whether you opt for a happy, tragic, or ambiguous ending, it’s crucial that the conclusion stays true to the story and reinforces its themes. By balancing emotional payoff with narrative closure, you can craft an ending that resonates long after the credits roll.