Things to Come ending explained

What happens

The space gun launches before the mob can stop it, sending the first travellers around the Moon, including Cabal's daughter. Cabal watches her go, then asks whether humanity will choose the whole universe or nothing at all.

The last image

Cabal's closing speech about the universe or nothing is delivered over images of the stars, so the film ends looking outward.

What it says

Wells argues that progress is a choice each generation must make again. The mob lost this time, but nothing guarantees the next time. So the film ends on a question put to you, not a promise.