The Detective Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for The Detective.
The Detective Ending Explained: Ho Pui-lan was the secretary of the writer Wu Him, but she died suddenly at home. Directed by Tso Kea, this 1966 mystery film stars Patrick Tse Yin (Chan Kin-chau), alongside Chow Chung as Ng Ying-lin, Chan Tsai-Chung as Ho Yuk-lan, Wong Wai as Police Sergeant/ Cheung Yu-shing. Rated 0/10, the conclusion has sparked discussion among viewers.
What Happens at the End of The Detective?
Ho Pui-lan was the secretary of the writer Wu Him, but she died suddenly at home. Ho's mother commissioned private detective Chan Kin-chau to investigate and found out that Pui-lan and Him were having an extra-marital affair, and also discovered that the contents of Him's fiction were similar to the contents of Pui-lan's suicide note. When Kin-chau finds out that the contents of Him's fiction are similar to the contents of Pui-lan's suicide note, he and Pei Lan's sister Yuk-lan reenact the murder case, and Him is stimulated and hallucinated to reveal the truth of the murder...
Tso Kea's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Patrick Tse Yin (Chan Kin-chau)'s journey. Ho's mother commissioned private detective Chan Kin-chau to investigate and found out that Pui-lan and Him were having an extra-marital affair, and also discovered that the contents of Him's fiction were similar to the contents of Pui-lan's suicide note.
How Does Patrick Tse Yin (Chan Kin-chau)'s Story End?
- Patrick Tse Yin: Patrick Tse Yin's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Chow Chung (Ng Ying-lin): Chow Chung's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Chan Tsai-Chung (Ho Yuk-lan): Chan Tsai-Chung's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Detective Mean?
The ending of The Detective brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Patrick Tse Yin's story may not satisfy all audiences.