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The Art of Crafting Endings: Insights from Oscar-Nominated Screenplays
2/18/2026, 3:16:40 AM
Exploring the Final Sequences of Nominated Films
The success of a film often hinges on its ending, a sentiment echoed by the writers of five Oscar-nominated screenplays: “Sentimental Value,” “Train Dreams,” “Bugonia,” “It Was Just an Accident,” and “Blue Moon.” Each screenplay presents a unique approach to concluding their narratives, revealing the creative processes behind these pivotal moments.
Accidental Discoveries in Screenwriting
In “Sentimental Value,” writers Joachim Trier and Eskil Vogt crafted a poignant ending by chance. While reviewing footage from Trier’s earlier film, they were inspired by a moving moment between actor Anders Danielsen Lie and Trier. Vogt proposed using a similar interaction between the characters Nora and her father, Gustav, to encapsulate themes of family and forgiveness. Trier noted, “[Gustav] just says, ‘Perfect.’ In art, it can all be perfect. There’s nothing more to say between them.”
Similarly, Clint Bentley, co-writer and director of “Train Dreams,” faced challenges in finalizing his film's conclusion. Initially, he planned to end with a carnival scene but realized that a biplane sequence offered a more emotional climax. Bentley remarked on the importance of this decision, stating, “Thank God they talked me out of it. [I got] a lot of bang for something that was just going to be a short scene in the movie.”
Diverging Perspectives on Humanity
Will Tracy’s adaptation of “Bugonia” diverges from its source material, which ends with a catastrophic punishment of humanity. Instead, Tracy envisioned a more hopeful conclusion, suggesting that the extinction of humanity could allow Earth to survive. He explained, “What happens [in ‘Bugonia’] has not happened. It allows you to think about our relationship with each other and to our planet. That’s constructive more than hopeless.”
In contrast, Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident” presents a chillingly ambiguous ending. The protagonist, Vahid, returns to his shop, haunted by the potential return of his torturer, Peg Leg. Panahi articulated the significance of sound in the film, emphasizing the importance of the squeaking prosthetic leg as a haunting reminder of trauma: “It had to be a sound that would stay in the mind of the audience.”
Balancing Melancholy and Resilience
Richard Linklater’s “Blue Moon” concludes with a blend of melancholy and resilience. The character Lorenz Hart, portrayed by Ethan Hawke, captivates the audience with a final story, despite his personal struggles. Writer Robert Kaplow credited Hawke with the idea to incorporate a previously cut speech into the ending, allowing Hart to remain engaging and entertaining until the last moment.
Conclusion: The Impact of Thoughtful Endings
The endings of these films illustrate the diverse approaches screenwriters take to conclude their narratives. From accidental discoveries to intentional thematic choices, each ending serves as a reflection of the film's core message, leaving audiences with lasting impressions. The art of crafting a compelling conclusion remains a critical aspect of storytelling in cinema.
