The Day the Earth Stood Still ending explained

What happens

Klaatu is shot dead, but Helen speaks the words to Gort, who revives him briefly. Klaatu warns the assembled scientists that Gort-like robots will destroy any world that carries violence into space. Earth can choose peace or destruction. He leaves.

The last image

Klaatu's saucer lifts away from the Ellipse, leaving Earth to decide for itself.

Two readings

1 · A hopeful warningKlaatu offers a clear choice, and the film trusts us to choose peace.

2 · A troubling bargainPeace guaranteed by unaccountable robots may be its own kind of threat.

What it says

Fear caused the violence from the first shot, and the ending asks whether humanity can overcome it or must be policed. The film gives you the warning and withholds the verdict, because it never claims to know whether we will listen.