The Follow Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for The Follow.
The Follow Ending Explained: The Driver is hired by a nervous movie manager to spy on a paranoid actor's wife. Directed by Wong Kar-Wai, this 2001 action film stars Clive Owen (The Driver), alongside Mickey Rourke as Husband, Adriana Lima as Wife, Forest Whitaker as The Employer. With a 6.9/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of The Follow?
The Driver is hired by a nervous movie manager to spy on a paranoid actor's wife. During his tailing of the wife, the Driver describes the right way to tail someone. As he follows her he begins to fear what he might learn of her apparently tragic life. He discovers the wife is fleeing the country and returning to her mother's, and that she's been given a black eye, likely by her husband. He returns the money for the job, refusing to tell where the wife is, and drives off telling the manager never to call him again.
Wong Kar-Wai's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Clive Owen (The Driver)'s journey. During his tailing of the wife, the Driver describes the right way to tail someone.
As part of the The Hire, the ending carries additional weight for fans following the franchise.
How Does Clive Owen (The Driver)'s Story End?
- Clive Owen: Clive Owen's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Mickey Rourke (Husband): Mickey Rourke's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Adriana Lima (Wife): Adriana Lima's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Follow Mean?
The Follow's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Clive Owen may feel rushed. Wong Kar-Wai's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.