How can endings prompt an audience to reflect on your story?

Stu & Chas set out to explore what makes certain endings powerful, in particular those of LA LA LAND, INCEPTION, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN and TURNING RED. The lens they bring to those endings is Aristotle's moment of "anagnorisis" (don't worry - we can't pronounce it either), traditionally when a character moves from ignorance to knowledge (particularly of self).

But in analysing these films, Chas and Stu discover that endings can be particularly powerful when the characters experience insightful recognition in others, or in the world, or - perhaps most powerfully - when the anagnorisis is aimed at the audience. In other words, are there craft tools for your ending to prompt an audience to ask itself the question "What was that all about?"? Turns out, we think there are.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND

Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3.

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

CHAPTERS

00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:48 - Insightful recognition in endings
00:03:39 - What the hell is "anagnorisis"?
00:12:04 - LA LA LAND
00:30:45 - INCEPTION
00:35:14 - NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
01:00:04 - TURNING RED
01:18:18 - Wrap up & Key Learnings
01:24:26 - Thanks patreons!

LINKS

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DZ-92: Insightful recognition in powerful endings

Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast