The Watchman Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for The Watchman.
The Watchman Ending Explained: The protagonist Vlad is a man of about forty; he lives and works as watchman in an old sanatorium that is due to be demolished. Directed by Yury Bykov, this 2019 drama film stars Yury Bykov (Vlad), alongside Vladislav Abashin as Stas, Alla Yuganova as Vera, Arthur Beschastny as Bogatov. With a 6.2/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of The Watchman?
The protagonist Vlad is a man of about forty; he lives and works as watchman in an old sanatorium that is due to be demolished. He obviously needs this work to live the life of a hermit. One night a married couple appears at the sanatorium: Vera and Stas. They are on the run. They are pursued by former friends and business partners of Stas. Vlad decides to help them, because he too is hiding from the past. Each character is threatened with the inevitable payment for wrong choices in the past, but helping each other, they try to expiate these faults.
Yury Bykov's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Yury Bykov (Vlad)'s journey. He obviously needs this work to live the life of a hermit.
How Does Yury Bykov (Vlad)'s Story End?
- Yury Bykov: Yury Bykov's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Vladislav Abashin (Stas): Vladislav Abashin's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Alla Yuganova (Vera): Alla Yuganova's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Watchman Mean?
The Watchman's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Yury Bykov may feel rushed. Yury Bykov's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.