That Was Life Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for That Was Life.
That Was Life Ending Explained: Two Spanish women from different generations find themselves sharing a hospital room in Belgium. Directed by David Martín de los Santos, this 2020 drama film stars Petra Martínez (María), alongside Anna Castillo as Verónica, Florin Piersic Jr. as Luca, Ramón Barea as José. With a 6/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of That Was Life?
Two Spanish women from different generations find themselves sharing a hospital room in Belgium. María has been living there for decades after emigrating when she was young and Verónica is a young girl recently arrived in search of opportunities she never found in Spain. A strange friendship is forged between them and this leads María to set out on a return journey to the south of Spain with an unusual mission. What begins as a search for Verónica's roots will become an opportunity to open herself up to the world and question certain principles on which she had based her life.
David Martín de los Santos's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Petra Martínez (María)'s journey. María has been living there for decades after emigrating when she was young and Verónica is a young girl recently arrived in search of opportunities she never found in Spain.
How Does Petra Martínez (María)'s Story End?
- Petra Martínez: Petra Martínez's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Anna Castillo (Verónica): Anna Castillo's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Florin Piersic Jr. (Luca): Florin Piersic Jr.'s character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of That Was Life Mean?
That Was Life's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Petra Martínez may feel rushed. David Martín de los Santos's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.