Pretty Hurts Ending Explained: To win scholarship money for college, Lauren enters the same beauty pageant her mom once dominated in her youth. Directed by Brian Herzlinger, this 2025 drama film stars Sarah Borne (Lauren), alongside Haylie Duff as Julie, Kaci Barker as Rae, Haley Gosserand as Brianna. Rated 7/10 by audiences, the conclusion brings the story to a satisfying close.

What Happens at the End of Pretty Hurts?

To win scholarship money for college, Lauren enters the same beauty pageant her mom once dominated in her youth. Lauren is thrust into a dark, toxic world of cutthroat competition and manipulation. Too preoccupied with the pageant, Lauren doesn’t realize that her best friend Rae is falling seriously ill with an uncommon and potentially deadly disease — meningitis B – prompting her to turn the pageant platform into a tool for awareness.

Brian Herzlinger's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Sarah Borne (Lauren)'s journey. Lauren is thrust into a dark, toxic world of cutthroat competition and manipulation.

How Does Sarah Borne (Lauren)'s Story End?

  • Sarah Borne: Sarah Borne's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Brian Herzlinger delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 30m runtime.
  • Haylie Duff (Julie): Haylie Duff's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
  • Kaci Barker (Rae): Kaci Barker's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of Pretty Hurts Mean?

The ending of Pretty Hurts ties together the narrative threads involving Sarah Borne. Brian Herzlinger chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes.