What Happens at the End of I Am Divine?

Harris Glenn Milstead, aka Divine (1945-1988) was the ultimate outsider turned underground hero. Spitting in the face of the status quos of body image, gender identity, sexuality, and preconceived notions of beauty, Divine succeeded in becoming an internationally recognized icon, recording artist, and character actor of stage and screen. Glenn went from the often-mocked, schoolyard fat kid to underdog royalty, standing up for millions of gay men and women, drag queens and punk rockers, and countless other socially ostracized misfits and freaks. With a completely committed in-your-face style, he blurred the line between performer and personality, and revolutionized pop culture.

Jeffrey Schwarz's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Divine (Self (archive footage))'s journey. Spitting in the face of the status quos of body image, gender identity, sexuality, and preconceived notions of beauty, Divine succeeded in becoming an internationally recognized icon, recording artist, and character actor of stage and screen.

How Does Divine (Self (archive footage))'s Story End?

• Divine: Divine's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Jeffrey Schwarz delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 30m runtime.
• John Waters (Self): John Waters's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
• Ricki Lake (Self): Ricki Lake's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of I Am Divine Mean?

The ending of I Am Divine ties together the narrative threads involving Divine. Jeffrey Schwarz chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes.