Long before it hit cinemas in September 2022, people had already started talking about Don’t Worry Darling, a film that presents a major twist many saw coming. Directed by Olivia Wilde, this movie casts Florence Pugh and Harry Styles as Alice and Jack, a married couple living in the mysterious town of Victory, California.
From the first few moments, even with how attractive and peaceful Victory looks, it’s obvious that something is off underneath the surface. The closing scenes of Don’t Worry Darling brought up several opinions from viewers — some were quick to say they saw it coming, while others kept asking if the pieces connected.
Victory’s charm hides a chilling truth (Photo: Don’t Worry Darling/New Line Cinema Vertigo Entertainment)The final part of the film attempts to address every concern that viewers may have carried through the story and finally provides clarity on the central mystery.
What Happens At The End Of Don’t Worry Darling?
This movie, which caused a lot of discussion, ends with some shocking revelations. In the final scenes, Jack opens up to Alice and tells her the truth about where they really are and what Victory truly means. Alice is left stunned as she is completely unaware of the deception.
In a dramatic move, she kills Jack by striking him with a glass. Even though seeing Jack go down might bring some form of satisfaction — considering how badly he treated Alice from the beginning — things don’t suddenly become easy for her.
She soon discovers that Bunny already knew the reality behind Victory and was okay with it. Meanwhile, Shelley (Gemma Chan) kills Frank, hinting that she wants control over Victory, and again, Alice is forced to face the reality that she doesn’t know who to trust.
The ending brings some emotional weight as Alice heads for the Victory Headquarters. There, she visualizes Jack once again, places her hand on the glass, and as Frank’s workers draw near, she finds a way to break free.
The screen goes black, and viewers hear her breathing — a sign that she has returned to the real world and is now safe. When thinking about horror films based on books, The Stepford Wives — written by Ira Levin in 1972 — comes to mind immediately.
Though Don’t Worry Darling and The Stepford Wives tell different stories, with the women in the latter still existing in the real world and not inside a simulation, both deal with very similar themes.
Considering The Stepford Wives was released decades ago and already has two adaptations from 1975 and 2004, some viewers question if Don’t Worry Darling adds anything fresh or necessary.
What Is The Twist Ending Of Don’t Worry Darling?
The big twist at the heart of the story reveals that Victory is not real — it’s a simulation. Frank (Chris Pine) is the mastermind behind this idea. He created it as a way for men to take control and live as though it’s still the 1950s. Once Alice discovers this, she is horrified.
Men like Frank, Jack, and others are excited about the setup because it hands them power. Alice, however, sees through it and understands that it’s a harmful, oppressive environment she must escape from no matter what.
Suspicion simmers behind every polished smile (Photo: Don’t Worry Darling/New Line Cinema Vertigo Entertainment)A crucial detail in the ending is that when Alice kills Jack, he dies not just in the simulation but also in reality. The film does not explain how this happens, which has left fans asking plenty of questions. Many critics were not pleased with Don’t Worry Darling, partly due to these kinds of plot holes.
Even though the story was meant to show female empowerment, much of the film’s marketing put a spotlight on the sexual content instead, which some found disappointing. And while Alice does succeed in killing her husband and leaving the simulation behind, the final moments don’t feel fully satisfying.
It becomes difficult to describe it as one of the strongest twist endings — mainly because, despite the dramatic ending, something about it feels incomplete.
Does The Ending Of Don’t Worry Darling Work?
Plenty of things don’t quite add up as the movie comes to a close. One puzzling detail is how Jack and Alice’s physical bodies remain in the real world without anyone noticing something is wrong. The explanation given — that Alice was a surgeon and Jack couldn’t handle her success or busy life — feels weak and unconvincing.
From general feedback, it’s clear that even though Don’t Worry Darling tries to deliver a strong twist, it doesn’t match the impact of other thrillers or horror titles. Though Alice does make it out of Victory and returns to reality, the closing scenes feel like they lack emotional depth.
Part of the issue could be that Alice isn’t shown to be a deeply layered character, and viewers are not given enough insight into her personality. Another reason could be how easy it is to guess the twist long before it happens — which removes the element of surprise and makes the story less gripping.
Where can you watch it online? You can purchase “Don’t Worry Darling” through Amazon Video.
