The Telephone Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?

What Happens at the End of The Telephone?

When Richard arrives in a small town, following the receipt of a letter and glass fish sent to his newspaper office, he is unaware of what he is about to become embroiled in. Intrigued by the story of a mysterious disappearance of a young woman Jane. Richard takes a room in the pub, the last place Jane was known to be alive. Awakened one night by an old telephone that seems to ring endlessly and then a chance encounter with the spectral image of a young woman, Richard decides to question the owner. Max an abstract artist denies ever seeing or putting up the woman in question. Richard is told 'The Telephone' must be in his imagination. Richard's instincts tell him there is more to the story. Is the ghostly figure seen late at night, that of Jane? Could the telephone ringing truly just be in his head? If you heard the ringing, would you be prepared to answer what lies at the end of the phone?

Stuart Wheeldon's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Nigel Barber (Max)'s journey. Intrigued by the story of a mysterious disappearance of a young woman Jane.

How Does Nigel Barber (Max)'s Story End?

• Nigel Barber: Nigel Barber's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
• Bernard Deegan (Richard): Bernard Deegan's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
• Stuart Wheeldon (Paul): Stuart Wheeldon's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of The Telephone Mean?

The ending of The Telephone brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Nigel Barber's story may not satisfy all audiences.