The ending of The Departed is widely regarded as one of the most stunning and thought-provoking in cinema. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this 2006 film is a remake of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs. It builds to a climactic collision of parallel storylines, with undercover agents embedded in both the Irish Mob and the Boston State Police. The two protagonists, Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) are unaware of each other’s identity until the very end when their paths cross in an explosive and violent confrontation. At first, this chaotic finale may seem confusing, but it serves a deeper purpose, reflecting the characters’ internal struggles.
The Departed Ending Explained
As with many of Scorsese’s films, The Departed features a sprawling ensemble cast. Characters switch allegiances, hiding their true motives as they navigate treacherous underworlds. This intentional complexity ensures that the audience feels the same confusion and distrust that the characters experience. Figures like Staff Sergeant Sean Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) may disappear for a while, only to return with crucial plot points, and seemingly victorious characters like Colin Sullivan are caught off guard in the final moments.
The Endgame: Almost Everyone is Dead
By the film’s conclusion, nearly every character is dead, except Colin Sullivan. After years of spying for the mob, Colin believes he is on the verge of escaping his past. However, his secrets are on the brink of being exposed. The recording of his illicit activities is about to reach his girlfriend, Dr. Madolyn Madden (Vera Farmiga). Even though she may not expose him, Colin is still haunted by the knowledge that his deception is close to unraveling. His isolation is evident—he’s lost his connections, his reputation, and his partner.
A major theme of The Departed is that characters who lead double lives are doomed to pay for their duplicity. Even when Colin believes he’s avoided the consequences, his actions eventually catch up with him. The revelation of his betrayal becomes a looming threat, leaving him isolated, even though he survived the film’s violent climax. However, Scorsese’s ending departs from the original Infernal Affairs, pushing the narrative further. Just when Colin thinks he has evaded justice, Staff Sergeant Dignam returns with a bullet, finishing the job and bringing closure to the film’s tangled plot.
Frank Costello’s Hidden Secrets
Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), the mob boss at the heart of The Departed, is a master manipulator. Despite his involvement in numerous illegal activities, Frank is never caught, and his crimes go unpunished. The surprising truth emerges that Frank has been a mole for the FBI all along. This revelation alters the course of the film, particularly for characters like Billy Costigan, who had been assigned to infiltrate Frank’s organization. Billy is already struggling with the pressure of maintaining his cover and learning that Frank is also a rat only intensifies his desperation. Meanwhile, Colin, working as a mole within the State Police, realizes that the people around him are not who they seem.
Billy Discovers Colin’s Secret
After the deaths of Frank and Captain Queenan (Martin Sheen), Billy and Colin finally face each other. In their tense meeting, Billy discovers an envelope marked “Citizens Trust” that is directly linked to Frank, revealing Colin’s true nature. Though Billy initially tries to push the memory of his undercover work aside, the presence of the informant before him drives him to confront Colin. The confrontation escalates when Colin, faced with the truth, breaks down in tears, unable to hold his facade any longer. In this pivotal moment, both men are exposed for the lies they’ve been living.
A Deadly Showdown
The final moments of The Departed are marked by a swift and brutal shootout. The film’s concluding act sees three characters killed in quick succession, leaving only Colin alive. It is revealed that Trooper Barrigan (James Badge Dale) is also working for the Irish mob and kills Trooper Brown (Anthony Anderson) and Billy. Colin, ever the survivor, kills Barrigan to prevent him from being another loose end. Though Barrigan and Colin may seem like allies, Colin’s mistrust of others drives him to eliminate anyone who might know his secrets.
The shootout serves as a microcosm of the larger undercover informants. The web of lies and allegiances that tie these characters together is incredibly complex, with many pieces seemingly unimportant until the end when everything converges.
One of the key players in the finale is Staff Sergeant Dignam, who reappears at just the right moment. Unlike the other characters, Dignam operates with a strict code of honesty and integrity. This makes him uniquely suited to unravel the web of deceit that surrounds him. Dignam’s return, following a long absence, surprises both Colin and the audience, delivering a satisfying dose of justice. He is the only one who sees through the lies and, as a result, is the one to exact the final punishment on Colin.
The Real Meaning Behind the Ending
The ending of The Departed is as chaotic as it is satisfying. The rapid pace and constant twists reflect the absurdity of the film’s world, where trust is scarce and deception reigns. While the violence and emotional intensity are undeniably gripping, Scorsese also imbues the ending with a sense of dark humor. The closing image of a rat running across the screen, though seemingly obvious, serves as a fitting conclusion to the story’s theme of betrayal. Far from being a mistake, it is a deliberate and bold statement by Scorsese, drawing attention to the film’s central motif.
Mixed Reactions to the Ending
While The Departed received widespread critical acclaim and won numerous awards, its ending has been met with mixed reactions. The surprising death of Billy, the film’s protagonist, is a bold move that left audiences stunned. The suddenness of his death, with no emotional farewell, adds to the film’s unpredictable nature. The scene stands out as one of the most jarring moments in movie history, emphasizing the unpredictable and often unjust nature of the world these characters inhabit.
The final moment, with the rat scurrying across the screen, has received criticism for being overly on-the-nose. While some viewers appreciate the directness of the imagery, others feel it undermines the film’s impact. The image has become a cultural reference, with The Simpsons even parodying it in an episode titled “The Departed.” Despite the controversy over this last shot, The Departed remains a thrilling, if at times absurd, conclusion to an unforgettable crime saga.
