What Happens at the End of The Next Big Thing?

The Next Big Thing is a dark comedy about friendship, revenge and the lust for fame. The protagonist is Julian, who, despite his "talent," has never achieved the level of fame he thinks he deserves. When his deranged and estranged best friend Chuck shows up with a plan to make Julian famous by making a film about Julian becoming famous, Julian agrees to do it. Unfortunately for Julian, Chuck's real aim is to make a prank show centered on ruining Julian's life. After a series of embarrassing and painful events Julian begins to regret his decision, but the worse the situation is for Julian, the more popular the videos become. Julian's ego allows Chuck to bring him to the edge of his sanity and beyond.

Brody Gusar's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Jonathan Lipnicki (Himself)'s journey. The protagonist is Julian, who, despite his "talent," has never achieved the level of fame he thinks he deserves.

How Does Jonathan Lipnicki (Himself)'s Story End?

• Jonathan Lipnicki: Jonathan Lipnicki's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
• Lauren Francesca (Lauren Francesca): Lauren Francesca's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
• Marshall Manesh (Mr. Shah): Marshall Manesh's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of The Next Big Thing Mean?

The ending of The Next Big Thing brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Jonathan Lipnicki's story may not satisfy all audiences.