Not all stories end happily, and sometimes, it’s the sorrowful ones that stay with us the longest. These films dared to close on a somber note, leaving audiences emotionally raw and thinking about the characters long after the screen faded to black. From quiet goodbyes to crushing twists of fate, these sad movie endings remind us how powerful storytelling can be when it doesn’t offer easy closure.
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
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In Clint Eastwood’s sports drama, Hilary Swank stars as Maggie Fitzgerald, a waitress aspiring to become a professional boxer. To achieve her dream, she persuades a reluctant trainer, Frankie Dunn (Eastwood), to impart all the necessary skills. Against the odds, the duo succeeds, and she secures the championship fight. However, the film takes a less optimistic turn from this point.
Following an illegal punch during the championship, Maggie becomes paralyzed from the neck down. She loses her zest for life and pleads with Frankie to perform an act of mercy. It’s truly impossible not to feel heartbroken after witnessing the unfolding tragedy.
Past Lives (2023)
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Celine Song’s directorial debut is a beautiful, carefully crafted film in which the characters grapple with different kinds of pain. This includes the pain of being an immigrant, the challenge of not being entirely rooted in one place or another, the ache of wondering what could have transpired with an old love, and the struggle of not fully articulating these complex emotions.
Starring Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro, the film follows two childhood friends over the course of 24 years as they contemplate the nature of their relationship while gradually growing apart and leading different lives. As the viewer accompanies Nora, the inevitable conclusion is heartbreaking, even though the story feels as commonplace as it could be.
The Imitation Game (2014)
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This historical drama tells the story of Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician and codebreaker played by Benedict Cumberbatch during World War II. Turing leads a team in the effort to crack the German Enigma code.
However, while Turing’s efforts not only helped end the war but also contributed to the development of early computers, the tragic ending comes from his mistreatment for being gay. After he was found guilty of gross indecency, he undergoes chemical castration and suffers the toll of years of hormonal therapy. In the epilogue, we learn that he ended his own life.
La La Land (2016)
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‘La La Land’ is a film that has become an instant classic. Borrowing from movies such as ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ and other beloved musicals, Damien Chazelle’s romantic drama brought up a tale about art, ambitions, following one’s dreams and, of course, heartbreak.
While the film is mostly optimistic, especially for the goals of our protagonists, the ending leaves a clear message: all success comes with its sacrifice. It wouldn’t hurt so much if we, as the characters, didn’t see how their future together would have been.
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
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Luca Guadagnino’s coming-of-age film, based on the novel by André Aciman, unfolds the love story between Elio, a 17-year-old boy, and Oliver, a 24-year-old grad student who spends the summer with Elio’s family in Italy.
The age gap between the two main characters remains a matter of controversy, but, it adds a layer to the heartbreaking ending: Elio not only grieves the loss of his first love but also the loss of his innocence.
