It Follows ending explained

What happens

The pool plan goes wrong, but the entity seems to be destroyed. Jay and Paul become a couple. In the last shot they walk hand in hand while a figure appears far behind them. You never learn whether it is following.

The last image

Jay and Paul walk down a street holding hands, and a figure appears far behind them.

Three readings

1 · It's still comingThe figure is the entity, so the danger was only delayed.

2 · Just a strangerIt may be an ordinary passer-by, and their watchfulness is what remains.

3 · Fear never endsWhoever it is, the point is that you never stop looking over your shoulder.

What it says

The film treats the entity as a picture of death: you can delay it, never end it. Ending on a walking figure, not a victory, leaves you watching the background, as Jay now must.