Babylon Ending Explained: In (Detailed) Film with Margot Robbie And Brad Pitt
Babylon’s finale brings it all together in one scene, as Manny Torres stares in awe at the big screen. Written and directed by La La Land’s Damien Chazelle, Babylon stars Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva, whose characters navigate the ups and downs of an ever-changing industry. Babylon received a mixed reception from critics but garnered numerous nominations from the Critics Choice Association and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which hosts the annual Golden Globe Awards. Just over three hours long, Chazelle’s film has many characters to deal with, layered with messages about the film industry itself and those who influence it from within.
Babylon Ending Explained: What Happens at The End?
Babylon ends with Manny Torres returning to Los Angeles after several years. He now has a family – a wife and daughter – and he’s made a living in New York City, away from everything related to the film industry that kept sucking him in. Manny realized that despite all the hardships and struggles, he was able to make a lasting impression on the film industry, as he had always hoped. His efforts, along with those of Nellie LaRoy and Jack Conrad, were not in vain, even though their names had been forgotten.
Nellie’s body is found shortly after leaving Manny, Jack dies by suicide, Sidney Palmer leaves Hollywood and returns to playing clubs with a jazz band, and Elinor St. John eventually dies. The old guard gives way to the new, as Hollywood transitions from silent to sound films, ushering in a new era. The film industry continues to entertain the next generation of moviegoers, in new ways. All the while Babylon showcases the toll Hollywood takes on the people who work so hard and so diligently to keep their careers afloat.
Why Did Nellie Run Away After Agreeing To Marry Manny?
Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie) was in a lot of debt and knew that Tobey Maguire’s James McKay would never stop looking for her. Manny could run, especially since her debut wasn’t hers. Nellie may have realized that she would never let go of her guilt for taking Manny with her, nor could she truly live happily ever after, with him, running away. There was a glimmer of hope for a while, but Nellie, still on cocaine, couldn’t let go of her career or the fame she’d acquired from it. She could free Manny from Hollywood, but she couldn’t free Nellie, and so she allowed the industry to swallow her whole.
Were Nellie and Lady Fay Engaged? And Why Did They Break Up?
Babylon has alluded to Nellie and Lady Fay having an affair, which began after they shared a kiss during the snake incident. However, there is only a trail of gossip to suggest that Nellie and Lady Fay Zhu were together, as their romantic relationship is never portrayed on screen. All in all, the pair have probably been dating for a while, keeping a low profile. It’s possible they broke up because the rumors were affecting Nellie’s career as an actress.
Nellie was trying to change her image in the public eye and a relationship with a woman was not going to make her look good. Also, Lady Fay was fired from her job writing captions for silent films, which further pushed her out of the film industry and Nellie’s life. The public discord resulting from their relationship proved that image was everything in Hollywood. A lesbian relationship was considered indecent and immoral, with the potential to negatively affect Nellie’s career trajectory.
Because Manny is Back in LA After So Long?
Manny was forced to leave his life and work behind and returned to Los Angeles after several years as he wanted to show his family where he had worked and spent his days. It was still a city that held great memories and had some significance to Manny. It was also a source of pride and a longing for what might have been etched into her heart and his mind. Besides, Manny could finally come back because he was sure he would. There was no longer the looming threat of James McKay. Manny had been gone long enough to have somehow been forgotten, Los Angeles had moved on without him.
Why Jack Conrad Committed Suicide?
The character of Brad Pitt had a lot to offer: Jack Conrad was a charismatic, beloved, and successful silent film star. Unfortunately, his time in the limelight was coming to an end, his reputation was dying steeply and his fame took a nosedive. Jack denied it for a while, but Elinor St. John’s monologue forced him to acknowledge that he was no longer the highly sought-after movie star that he once was. Coupled with his friend George’s suicide, Jack no longer wanted to be in bad movies and couldn’t cope with the reality he was facing regarding his acting career, fueling his decision to die.
What’s Next for Sidney Palmer’s Career?
Sidney Palmer left Hollywood behind due to the blatant racism he faced, returning to playing in a jazz band in clubs and lounges. Unlike the rest of the Babylon characters, Sidney’s career didn’t go downhill. While it’s unlikely that Sidney will ever return to playing trumpet in films, it’s possible that he continued to lead his jazz band, expanding beyond the clubs of Los Angeles to play in a plethora of other cities. Sidney could also further consolidate his influence on the industry.
The True Meaning of Babylon’s Ending?
Babylon examines the career, life and death of those working in the film industry, celebrating the longevity of films and their influence, regardless of the many changes it faces. Not only the transition from silent cinema to sound but also from black and white cinema to color and everything that followed to make the sector evolve. Babylon is both a love letter to the silent film era and a critique of the film industry as a whole. Damien Chazelle grapples with the end of his influence in Hollywood with the bitterness that comes with it, being nostalgic for an era that has been, much like the characters in Babylon, forgotten by time.
Babylon also delves into the changes within the film industry and how it dramatically affects everyone from film actors to producers to musicians. While things are bound to change over time, internal transitions shake up the status quo, putting an end to budding careers. To that end, Chazelle’s film emphasizes that anything can change in an instant and no one is safe in an ever-changing industry, even if some good things are left behind. Hollywood takes no prisoners, and those swept up in the undercurrent have everything to lose. Meanwhile, film as an art form remains regardless.
