A.I. Artificial Intelligence ending explained

What happens

After two thousand years praying to a statue, David is found by advanced mechas who recreate Monica for one day. He gets the perfect day he wanted, then falls asleep beside her as she dies.

The last image

David lies down beside Monica and falls asleep next to her as she dies.

Two readings

1 · A tender fulfilmentDavid finally gets the love he was made to seek, and the film lets him rest.

2 · A bittersweet illusionThe day is a copy built from her hair, so his joy is real but the reunion is not.

What it says

The film asks how long a feeling can last, and answers with devotion that outlives its whole world. It ends quietly on a single day of love because that is all David ever wanted, and all it could give him.