Spoilers · the ending
Mr. Arkadin: the ending, explained
Orson Welles · 1955
This page gives the ending away. Not seen the film yet? Its spoiler-free guide is here.
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Spoilers · the ending
Orson Welles · 1955
This page gives the ending away. Not seen the film yet? Its spoiler-free guide is here.
What happens
Van Stratten realises Arkadin hired him to find and silence everyone who knew his past. When Van Stratten tries to warn Raina, Arkadin chases them by plane. Raina learns the truth, and Arkadin throws himself from the aircraft.
The last image
Arkadin falls from his plane, ending the story he spent a fortune trying to bury.
What it says
Arkadin could buy silence from his witnesses, but not from his daughter. Her knowing is the one thing he cannot survive. The ending shows a managed past can be hidden for a time, but someone is always left holding the pieces.