The Nonentity Ending Explained: What Really Happened?

The Nonentity Ending Explained: Each evening, four men – a doctor, a journalist, a professor and a merchant – meet up in a deserted bar to play cards. Directed by Michel Deville, this 1986 crime film stars Fanny Ardant (Mlle Lotte), alongside Daniel Auteuil as le journaliste, Richard Bohringer as le docteur, Philippe Léotard as Kaufmann. With a 6.1/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.

What Happens at the End of The Nonentity?

Each evening, four men – a doctor, a journalist, a professor and a merchant – meet up in a deserted bar to play cards. As they play, the bar’s owner, her downtrodden barman (nicknamed “le paltoquet”) and a strange woman in white watch from a distance. One night, the card game is disturbed when a police inspector suddenly appears and declares that a dead body has been found nearby. Certain that one of the four men is the murderer, the inspector starts his investigation. All the evidence suggests that the doctor did the deed, but we soon learn that nothing is quite what it seems…

Michel Deville's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Fanny Ardant (Mlle Lotte)'s journey. As they play, the bar’s owner, her downtrodden barman (nicknamed “le paltoquet”) and a strange woman in white watch from a distance.

How Does Fanny Ardant (Mlle Lotte)'s Story End?

Fanny Ardant: Fanny Ardant's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
Daniel Auteuil (le journaliste): Daniel Auteuil's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
Richard Bohringer (le docteur): Richard Bohringer's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of The Nonentity Mean?

The Nonentity's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Fanny Ardant may feel rushed. Michel Deville's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.