Nine Perfect Strangers Episode 8: Ending Explained The End of The Season | Find Out

It has been a long journey full of LSD and yoga, but it has all come to an end. This week came the final episode of Nine Perfect Strangers, the David E. Kelley and Jonathan Levine miniseries on what it really means to be okay. And you better believe that its ending was as shocking as anything else in this twisted series. Based on the novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, Nine Perfect Strangers follows a group of people who go on a mysterious wellness retreat to heal from their personal demons. But once they find out that they have been drugged as part of an experimental treatment plan, this retreat goes from heaven to hell. Wondering how Nine Perfect Strangers ends? This is what happens with Carmel and how it differs from the book. You can watch the series on Amazon Prime Video.

Nine Perfect Strangers: Ending Explained

With a lot of drug use. But you expected it, didn’t you? At the end of Episode 7, Carmel (Regina Hall) removed a contact and revealed her white eye. That revelation cemented everything. Carmel was the one who shot Masha (Nicole Kidman) all those years ago, an attack that led to Masha creating Tranquillum House. Carmel found out that Masha was sleeping with her husband and went crazy before coming to this resort to see what Masha has been up to. So yeah, all the psychotic vibes you got from Carmel are right. But instead of kicking her out, Masha forgave Carmel and put her in a sensory deprivation chamber.

After literally confronting her enemy, Masha left with the Marconi family. Remember how Masha took LSD to make sure Napoleon (Michael Shannon), Heather (Asher Keddie), and Zoe (Grace Van Patten) thought it was safe to see their deceased son through a drug trip? Yes, you left out some important details. The biggest omission was revealed by Lars (Luke Evans), who explained that the last time Masha drugged someone as intensely as the Marconis, they died. Although they knew the risks, the Marconis went on with the drug journey. And it worked! They saw the late Zach (Hal Cumpston) one last time and got closure. But they were not the only ones.

Another big reveal from Lars? Apparently the only reason Masha was interested in reconnecting with deceased people through drugs was because she lost her own daughter. As the Marconis chase after Zach, Masha chased glimpses of her own daughter. That explains five of the strangers. And the other four?

Regardless, Frances (Melissa McCarthy) and Tony (Bobby Cannavale) and Jessica (Samara Weaving) and Ben (Melvin Gregg) decided to leave Tranquillum House. There was only one problem. None of them could find their cars. While looking for a way out, they found Carmel locked in the sensory deprivation room. Masha and Yao (Manny Jacinto) opened the room for them, but once they were all inside, Masha and Yao closed it again. What made matters worse was that this time they could hear the crackle of the fire and smell the smoke.

Finally, Frances realized that the door was open so they could escape. By the way, that fake fire? It was all a life-threatening therapy tactic from Masha herself. Towards the end of the finale, the police arrived thanks to a tip from Delilah (Tiffany Boone). Masha is arrested while cradling the girl she lost.

Like the book it’s based on, the final episode of Nine Perfect Strangersoffers a kind of continuation. It starts once Frances starts writing, we can’t be completely sure if this is really going on or if Frances is making it all up. But regardless, it’s a good thought. Afterwards, France and Tony are still dating, and Tony has reconnected with his daughters. The Marconis are closer to becoming a happy family once again. Lars returns to his boyfriend, ready to have a child. Carmel has started her own therapy group, something she desperately needs since she shot. And in the biggest twist of all, Jessica and Ben have used some of their lottery winnings to take over Tranquillum House. It’s a nice, happy ending that leaves little to no room for a sequel.

How Is The Ending Different From The Book?

The Hulu adaptation basically followed the actual ending of the book. The fire in the middle of a drug trip was a big part of the novel and, just like in the series, Masha is arrested. But there were also some pretty big changes. The biggest has to do with Carmel. In the book, Carmel is just a rich and angry woman fighting for a divorce. She is not the shooter who nearly killed Masha. Instead, that shooter was a random person. Similarly, Masha never feels threatened by ominous calls or texts in the book. Then there is the after. In the novel, Frances and Tony end up married, something that is implied but not explicitly stated in the series. Jessica and Ben parted ways instead of staying together to take care of this retreat. It is even hinted that Ben and Zoe start some kind of relationship. Nine Perfect Strangers and the book are almost the same.