17 Movie Endings So Ambiguous, Viewers Are Still Scratching Their Heads

Not even Google can help you here.

WARNING: This post does contain spoilers for various films. We've placed the film title first so you can decide which you'd like to read!

Recently, we asked members of our BuzzFeed Community, "What's one movie you've seen that's so ambiguous that it's still got you scratching your head years later?"

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You better believe they came through with some A+ answers! Here are just a few of the most popular responses shared:

1. The Whale (2022)

A24

"The first movie to come to mind is The Whale! I adore Brendan Fraser, and he deserves all his accolades, but… SPOILER ALERT… When Ellie (Charlie’s daughter) is finished reading the essay, a bright light shines upon Charlie. Then, we go back to the beach flashback. Is it just a flashback? Does Charlie die? I don’t know WHAT TO THINK!"

—Betherick85 

Watch the trailer here:

A24 / Via youtube.com

2. Cast Away (2000)

20th Century Fox Film Corp / Courtesy: Everett Collection

"What was in that package with the angel wings on it, and why didn't Tom Hanks open it the whole time he was on the island? Why was it so important for him to return it to its rightful owner? And why did he say that the package 'saved his life?'"

—aubreyw3 

Watch the trailer here:

20th Century Fox / Via youtube.com

3. Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)

Summit Entertainment

"Debate the merits of Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 all you want, but that ending was twisted. Based on events and conversations throughout the film, arguments can be made on both sides for what truly went down: group hysteria made them go mad and kill people (then each other), or it all really happened and the witch framed the survivors with 'video proof.' Either way you slice it, there was no satisfying answer, and I doubt there ever will be."

—edthehomicidalpyromaniac

Watch the trailer here:

Summit Entertainment / Via youtube.com

4. Donnie Darko (2001)

Newmarket Releasing /Courtesy Everett Collection

"I’ll watch it when it’s on and genuinely enjoy it, but I have absolutely no idea what the fuck is happening."

—Kelsie JK

Watch the trailer here:

Newmarket Films / Via youtube.com

5. The Quiet Girl (2022)

Bankside Films / Courtesy Everett Collection

"A recent one, but The Quiet Girl (one of the international film nominees at the Oscars this year). It’s about a little Irish girl from a big family who sends her off to relatives for the summer because they aren’t willing to take care of her at the time, and while she’s gone, she learns what it’s like to actually be loved and cared for by people. The end is fully ambiguous, and the audience has no clue if her ending is happy or not; it was rough."

—ladyofthelake

Watch the trailer here:

Bankside Films / Via youtube.com

6. Triangle of Sadness (2022)

Neon / Courtesy Everett Collection

"Does the boyfriend reach his girlfriend in time to prevent her murder?" 

—Kanyewehardlyknewye

Watch the trailer here:

Neon / Via youtube.com

7. Sommersby (1993)

Warner Bros. / Courtesy of Everett Collection

“'A farmer returns home from the Civil War, but his wife begins to suspect that the man is an impostor.' 30 years later, my wife and I still disagree about what happened."

—p7safety 

Watch the trailer here:

Warner Bros. / Via youtube.com

8. We Need to Do Something (2021)

IFC Films

"Watched it one slow weekend night on Hulu. I still have no idea wtf was that dog/tongue/monster thing or what happened in the end. It’s quite an interesting (but poorly-acted) mind-melter! I highly recommend if you like being annoyed and frustrated trying to solve something."

—GigiMomster 

Watch the trailer here:

IFC Films / Via youtube.com

9. The Station Agent (2003)

Mary Evans/SENART FILMS/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection

"I have seen that movie twice, and I still do not know how it ends, except they’re all sitting around and talking? Ugh. I think because of that, I hate indie movies."

—amandak4a7974022 

Watch the trailer here:

Miramax / Via youtube.com

10. Downsizing (2017)

Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

"I started watching one movie, and somewhere I blinked, and it became an entirely different movie."
—Lunamyluna 

Watch the trailer here:

Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com

11. Hell or High Water (2016)

Lorey Sebastian/ © CBS Films / Courtesy Everett Collection

"Does Jeff Bridges’s character kill Chris Pine’s character, or does Chris Pine’s character kill Jeff Bridges’s character…" 

—salamandersorcurer

Watch the trailer here:

Lionsgate / CBS Films / Via youtube.com

12. The Thing (1982)

Universal / Courtesy Everett Collection

"Some believe they know, but I don't believe they do. That breathing thing? An earlier scene puts that to sleep." 

—prolix

Watch the trailer here:

Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com

13. National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)

2007 Buena/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection

"What exactly was on Page 47 that was so 'life altering?'"

—bestcookie705 

Watch the trailer here:

Walt Disney Pictures / 2007 Buena Vista / Via youtube.com

14. Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)

Sony Pictures Classics / Courtesy Everett Collection

"I also wonder about Welcome to the Dollhouse. Did Dawn ever find happiness, or was she destined to be an outsider forever?" 

—Kanyewehardlyknewye

Watch the trailer:

Sony Picture Classics / Via youtube.com

15. No Country for Old Men (2007)

Miramax / Courtesy Everett Collection

"Tommy Lee Jones's character talks about his dream, and then it cuts to credits." 

—Joanna

Watch the trailer here:

Miramax / Via youtube.com

16. Mulholland Drive (2001)

Universal Pictures

"Not necessarily the ending, but the whole thing. Great movie." 

—re89245 

Watch the trailer here:

Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com

17. Don't Worry Darling (2022)

Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

"Um, Don’t Worry Darling had me feeling plenty worried still." 

—Grinchbettahavemymoney 

Watch the trailer here:

Warner Bros. / Via youtube.com

Any other movies you think are the most confusing of all time? Share in the comments below!