Gone Girl ending explained

What happens

Amy returns covered in blood after killing Desi, and everyone believes she was his victim. Nick knows the truth but can't prove it. When she announces she's pregnant, he stays, and the two perform a happy marriage for the cameras.

The last image

Nick and Amy stand together as a smiling, devoted couple, the staged marriage restored, while Margo watches in horror.

What it says

Amy wins by controlling the story, and Nick is trapped by his public image and the child. The ending turns the thriller into dark comedy about a marriage held together by performance, leaving you unsettled rather than relieved.